How Parents and Children Can Benefit from Using Outdoor Gym Equipment | AD

Many of us are not quite as healthy as we would like to be. This is entirely understandable, as we are living in the era of fast food and sedentary lifestyles, emerging from the best part of two years of pandemic-induced lockdown and living in an age where food can be delivered from the push of a button, it’s becoming increasingly easier to be less active.

The Pandemic’s Toll on Physical Health

This meant that, for adults and children alike, the opportunities for outdoor exercise and play were strictly curtailed. Outdoor gym equipment and playground equipment were unceremoniously taken down or roped off to discourage use. Children, in particular, suffered through not playing outside with friends, instead of relying on electronic devices for entertainment as well as communication with the outside world.

This has all led to somewhat of a sobering thought: according to the latest published statistics from the House of Commons Library, obesity figures among children and adults in the UK have risen with 14.4% of 4- and 5-year-olds classed as obese and 13.3% overweight. Amongst 10- and 11-year-olds the figures are 25.5% and 15.4% respectively. 28% of adults are obese and a further 36.2% are overweight. Even the nation’s pandemic exercise guru Joe Wicks has recently confessed to putting on weight!

Now’s the Time to Get Moving

With those alarming statistics in mind and with better weather (hopefully) on its way what better time could there be for getting outside as a family to seek out local areas where outdoor gym equipment is in place for all to use. In particular seek out monkey bars and outdoor pull up bars as these not only provide the greatest fun for children and adults but they also encourage the use of muscles which don’t normally get much of a workout such as biceps, triceps as well as the trapezius and pectorals (shoulders and chest) and improve fine motor skills.

Choose Outdoor Gym Equipment Exercises to Work All the Muscles in the Body

Whilst cycling is a good all-round exercise and one which all ages can take part in this mostly exercises the leg muscles. For a more comprehensive workout which will improve all-over muscle tone and general fitness as well as giving you a decent cardio-vascular workout, you need to track down some outdoor gym equipment.

Your local authority or health services may be able to give you information on this. Some schools allow their playground equipment to be used out of hours so it’s worthwhile approaching the children’s school for guidance, or you can even look to purchase your own outdoor gym equipment for a permanent and attractive outdoor gym at home.

How To Use Outdoor Gym Equipment For Best effect

Here are a few ideas on how you and the family can utilise outdoor gym equipment to work the various muscle groups:

·     Monkey bars – these and other types of climbing frame are great for building strength in the forearms, the middle and upper back and the lats (these are the muscles which sit at the outside edge of each shoulder below the arms). You can either use the monkey bars to pull up with, to increase strength in your arms or by swinging across them you can improve your posture and balance especially if you pull in the stomach muscles at the same time to strengthen your core.

·     Stepping stones – great for improving your balance and the strength in your legs and hips.

·     Bench presses – many outdoor gyms will include some form of bench press equipment which allows you to lift weights while sitting or lying down. Parents should be on standby to supervise young children with this.

·     Obstacle courses – adults and children can have so much fun especially if there’s a competitive element involved, like who can make it to the end first. Perhaps parents could set a small household task for the kids to complete, or they could be the ones paying a forfeit if they lose!

Deepen Family Bonds by Exercising Together

Let’s face it, whether a child or a grown-up, we all need encouragement, especially when it comes to exercise. Kids exercising on their own or with friends will often end up distracted and more likely glued to their phones, and may not feel confident using outdoor gym equipment properly. Come to think of it, a few adults probably do the same.

So how can a mum or dad motivate themselves and the kids to get outdoors and get fit? Fear not, there are several ways in which you can make fitness fun for all the family.

·     Reconnect with nature. The pandemic has taught us all the value of being out among the trees listening to the birds singing. Many local parks now site their outdoor fitness equipment in the greenest part of the park, or you could even have some in your own garden. Exercising in the fresh air improves fitness and mental wellbeing.

·     Encourage each other. Words of encouragement, or even small bribes, can work to help you keep going and this is doubly important for young children who may find their attention wandering and motivation flagging.

·     Competition. Turning exercise into a game to win can inadvertently set goals and show you what you’re capable of, with the distraction of beating your siblings, parents, or children!

Remember, the route to a healthy mind and body starts with a commitment to getting active, so why not shake off the pandemic pounds, and start to plan your new healthier lifestyle today.