To use the outdoor exercise equipment?

[Wildling]

I've just discovered a park near my house that has tons of exercise equipment in it. There's also a play area right next to it which means my 8 year old can play while I exercise.

It's amazing!

But while I was exercising people were actually stopping and staring at me. Dog walkers, kids, just full on staring for a little bit before moving on. No one else used the equipment while I was there. I felt like I was doing something wrong!

I wasn't going hardcore or making tons of noise or anything like that.

I am overweight (down 6 stone so far with another 6 to go) and diet alone isn't cutting it right now. I want to add in more exercise other than walking and this park just seems great for that.

I feel really nervous about going again but I really want to! It's totally fine/normal to use the outdoor gyms, right?! That's what they're there for. Does anyone else use them?

Well done on your weight loss! I need to get back on it! I love the look of the outdoor equipment but I'm always too nervous to go and use it, incase when I get on something I dont know the right way to use it. So if I see someone using the equipment I would be trying to watch/ stare at what they do, so I know!

I wish our local park had proper stuff. Good for you OP.

Go for it!

I have a park near me like this - use of the equipment varies wildly according to the time of day. You may have just hit a slump period!

Well done. Those people were probably wondering how the equipment works as probably not seen anyone use it before. I always stare at joggers...full of admiration for them.

Yanbu.
I love our outdoor gyms. I have a 4 mile and 8 mile run routes that include then so I can have a sit down and a bt of a rest.

I use them at a park in the next town over while my children are on the skate park bit. I hardly ever see anyone else on the equipment, despite it being a well used park. No idea why not.

Glad to see other people use them! I'm really looking forward to going now!

While we're on the theme, has anyone got a teenager playground in their town? They're great.
Ours has a giant Bop-it style game and huge swings and spinny things. It's always empty in the mornings because teens aren't out of bed yet.

Firstly, your weight loss is incredible and inspiring. I think it's amazing and congratulations.
There's an exercise park near us and on sundays it's full of serious dudes in Lycra exercising. Quiet the rest of the time. Seriously, people who give you funny looks are just jealous of your va va boom! Go for it. Ignore the armchair critics!

I bet they are thinking they wished they had the guts to do the same..that’s what I think anyway,we have some near us ..I would like to use them...

The one near where I used to live got used by the serious outside gym-goers very early in the morning. My dcs did used to stop and stare at them but then they also used to stop and stare at people on a litter pick, someone sweeping up leaves, an interesting twig, etc - don't take it personally.

Nothing much to add except congratulations on the weight loss, that's a fantastic achievement which must have been a proper slog. And keep up the good work on the outdoor machines, it takes a few pioneers like yourself before other more timid souls feel comfortable doing these things!

I just got back from using it and it was great! I feel GOOD. Quite a bit of staring again but one woman gave me a thumbs up, haha. I'll be going again on Friday and I'm looking forward to it!

Thank you all for saying nice, encouraging things about my weight loss. It's been tough but I felt ready to do it. Food has ruled my life for as long as I can remember but now I'm trying to take control.

What An inspiring story! Exercising outdoors is good for your mental health, too.

Good for you. I would probably stare at someone using the fitness stuff because I would be jealous of your iron will and maybe I would be fantasising it was me getting fit.