Open air gyms - waste of money

[ShadeofViolet]

Does anyone actually use those outdoor gyms in the park for serious excercise?

Our local council, in their wisdom put one in our local park about a year ago at what I can only imagine was great expense, yet the play equipment on the park has seen much better days and could do with serious updating. I recently wrote to the council asking if funds could be raised for new swings and climbing frame, but I have had a reply that the council cannot spend money on them because they have already used the alloted amount on this new gym stuff.

We use the park most days and I have never seen anyone use it appropriately, just children messing about on the 'running machine' Its not like we live on Muscle Beach!!

Ours is always packed. Busy London park though.

Totally agree MiaowTheCat I so love to swing for ages when no-one is around the the children are using the playground.

slenderman The problem is I know some of the runners and I am not fit enough to run so I feel embarrassed using the equipment as there always seems to be a runner I know there or along the minute I start.

Our problem is that its right next to the play area so in summer the kids use it as an extension and swing and crawl all over the machines...any gym goers wouldn't get a look in.

I use them when I go a jog in a couple of local parks. I'd love it if the council installed one or a couple along our 15mile bike path that passes nearby to our unit block.

We find our one is really useful. My son has difficulty walking and it is hard to motivate him to do exercise but he loves to go on the rowing machines and stuff (he is 13 and starting to look very out of place in the playground though developmentally it is what he wants to do so this keeps us both happy). My only gripe is having to wait for a turn while parents stand indulgently watching their tots clambering about despite each piece of equipment being clearly marked 12 years and over. They will be the first to complain when the little darlings get hurt.

Have some in the park near school where I work. I see adults using them on my way to work around 7:30-8am. They seem to be Using them properly and are dressed in running gear so assume as part of their morning fitness thing. There are also a couple of fitness group things that happen in the park and they seem to use them too.

Rest of time it's children and teens playing on them.

Best one Ive seen was in Lanzarote overlooking the sea!

No adults use them here, children play on them though. I am gutted I would love to use them properly because I can't afford the gym and need to exercise but it feels like now they have become a children's thing.
It is just a very public space to exercise, I worried if I used them I would just attract negative comments because I am overweight. I would prefer not to put myself on show like that.
I did consider going really early in he morning but even at 6am there are people about walking dogs and heading to work.

Surely anything encouraging actual excersise/resistance training in this current obesity epidemic is positive? My DM can't afford a gym membership and uses our local outdoor gym daily. I think it's a great, free way for people to stay fit.