China trip inspires first outdoor gym for older people

When President Mary McAleese paid a state visit to China in 2003, she noticed older people exercising outside on what looked like playground equipment.

She was so impressed with the idea of outdoor gyms for older people that she took the idea home with her.

Now, four years later, Ireland's first outdoor adult gym for older people will be officially opened by Mrs McAleese in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, on Friday next.

The Tone Zone, which has nine pieces of specialist outdoor gym equipment, is located in Dunshaughlin Park and was developed by Meath County Council.

It has already attracted huge interest from older people, according to Meath county manager, Tom Dowling.

He was approached by Mary Nally of the Third Age Centre in Summerhill after the President asked Ms Nally to investigate the possibility of opening an outdoor fitness centre here.

The county manager and Ms Nally travelled to China and saw fitness corners in every town, dotted around public parks, nursing home grounds and even on street corners.

Various pieces of equipment target certain issues such as joint mobility, muscle strength and co-ordination and fitness.

Mr Dowling said the equipment was robust, easy to maintain and was designed for use in all weathers.

"It's very, very unique and I think it's going to become the rage all over Ireland," he said. He pointed out that, currently, public spaces cater for children by providing playgrounds, and teenagers by providing skateboard parks, but the needs of older people were ignored.

Although the first Tone Zone has not officially opened yet, more are already being planned for other parts of Meath and for Kildare and Wicklow. "It's all about increasing the activity levels and fitness of older people," she said.

Ms Nally praised Meath County Council for taking up the idea and said she expected that other county managers would be very interested in introducing similar equipment in their towns.

"It's free, it's accessible, it's sociable and it's not just for older people," she said. Parents who brought children to the playground would now be able to exercise too, she said.

Ms Nally said the equipment was set up to encourage people to work out together. "So instead of going to someone's house for tea and a sticky bun, you can arrange to meet at the park and exercise together," she said.