in-cumbria: Get on the trail of a fitter Millom

Thursday, 20 October 2011

At the request of the Friends of Millom Park, Community Spaces and National Lottery donated £20,000 and the Copeland Community Fund a further £5,000 to landscape the area for the fitness trail, installed by OGGO.

Secretary of the Friends of Millom Park Committee, Brian Crawford, said: “With Millom being isolated we’re trying to be a bit more self sufficient. People who talk to me say it’s a massive boost…I’ve had nothing but positive feedback.”

Although this is Cumbria’s first outdoor gym, others have been installed in locations across the UK ranging from local authority parks to schools, universities and prisons.

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Fenland Citizen: Thumbs up for play equipment

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

"The Wolf Lane playing fields now boast an impressive array of play equipment to suit all ages, plus Fenland’s only 10-piece range of adult exercise equipment. 

Cllr Carroll said he hoped local residents would have many happy hours on the equipment."

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Wisbech standard: Launch event marks completion of £65k Gorefield Adventure Patch

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

“I am thrilled with the whole project,” said Cllr Carroll, “it has brought the village alive.

“When the old equipment was there, no one used it, but now at weekends the play area is crowded.”

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Take a Hike: The Benefits of Green Exercise Is green exercise better than indoor gyms?

Wednesday, 07 September 2011

"British researchers have FOUND that "green" exercise in a natural outdoor setting, like a park or forest, can cause a measurable increase in a person's mood and self-esteem."

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The Telegraph - "Exercising in the 'outdoor gym' burns 20 per cent more calories"

Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Dr Jo Barton, a sports specialist with the University of Essex, said it will not only shift excess weight from the party season but should banish any post Christmas blues.  The programme is based on University of Essex research that shows exercise in the outdoors burns up to a fifth more calories because the body uses up more energy keeping warm and battling the natural elements like wind or rain. It also helps build balance and muscle as the body has to deal with uneven surfaces.

“Exercising in nature lifts your mood and boosts your self-esteem. It also has immunising properties which helps you deal with future challenges more effectively,”

Doing the exercises outdoors is already well known to improve mental health, build self esteem and can even ward off colds by boosting the immune system. Exposure to sunlight can increase vitamin D, that maintains healthy bones and fight off Seasonal Affective Disorder, known as SAD.

Unlike the gym the 31-day programme is completely free, although participants may need to buy new equipment like a raincoat, gloves and a head torch for exercising after daylight hours. The average membership fee for a UK health and fitness club stands at £442 a year, although some chains charge significantly more. Yet 60 per cent of gym memberships bought in the New Year are given up in the first six months.

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