Outdoor gym gets the tick

Jannette Parke | 4th November 2009

NEW outdoor gym equipment located in the Civic Centre Gardens behind Meals on Wheels is proving a boon to residents keen to improve their fitness.

Tina Garrett and Michael Scott try out the new outdoor gym in Gympie’s Civic Centre Gardens.

Renee Pilcher

IT’S like having your own gym and it’s completely free.

New outdoor gym equipment located in the Civic Centre Gardens behind Meals on Wheels is proving a boon to residents keen to improve their fitness.

On Monday locals joined with Heart Foundation walking area co-ordinator Maree Lorensen and Gympie Community physiotherapist Larni Sweeny to try out the equipment.

Gympie man Michael Scott said he found the equipment easy to use.

“Mum and I would like to come down at least three mornings a week,” he said.

Ms Sweeny said the equipment was suitable for people over 15 and ideal for senior citizens. Machines are designed to be low impact for a low intensity workout.

Exercise bikes are in place for people to warm up, then proceed through the equipment so they are giving themselves a mix of upper body and lower body workouts, then they can finish it up with a warm down on the bikes, Ms Sweeny said.

Ms Lorensen said another easy way to a healthier life was joining a walking group and all you have to do is turn up.

Staying active is a little like a fountain of youth because regular exercise can prevent or delay diabetes and heart trouble, reduce arthritis pain, anxiety and depression.

It can also help seniors stay independent with balance exercises designed to reduce the chance of a fall.

Three walking groups currently meet in Gympie. They are Gympie Fitness Fanatics, who meet at Centro main entrance at 7.30am, Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Dave’s Ducklings, who meet at the Duckpond walk bridge car park at 7am, Tuesday and Thursday, and Happy Feet, who meet at Jones Hill, heading off from Lasiandra Drive, Southside at 6am, Monday to Friday.