Active retirement groups are making full use of outdoor gyms to keep their members fighting fit, writes MICHELLE McDONAGH
IRELAND IS following the trend of many Asian and European countries in bringing groups of older people together to enjoy outdoor exercise in a new and different way.
The country’s latest outdoor gym for adults – also known as “Tone Zones” – recently opened in Carrigaline, Co Cork, where it was developed by the local active retirement association.
The gym, which is located in the town park, consists of a series of exercise stations with different pieces of equipment designed to exercise all parts of the body including a waist-twister, a cross-trainer, a leg press and a double air walker.
Ireland’s first Tone Zone was opened in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, in 2007 and since then adult outdoor gyms have also been developed in Dublin, Cavan, Longford, Blanchardstown and now, Co Cork.
The idea for the first facility came initially from President Mary McAleese, who was intrigued to see adults of all ages exercising in public parks and open spaces on what resembled children’s playground equipment during a state visit to China.
There are now about 100,000 Tone Zones in China, where the promotion of healthy ageing is a key part of a government plan to improve the overall health of the population and prevent disease.
Similar outdoor public exercise areas have also become popular in European countries such as Spain and Germany in recent years.
On her return to Ireland from China, President McAleese discussed the concept with Mary Nally of the Third Age Centre in Summerhill, Co Meath, who took the idea to the county manager, Tom Dowling. As a result, Ireland’s first outdoor fitness gym designed specifically for adults was opened in Dunshaughlin.
Head of communications with Third Age, Ann Dempsey, says the Tone Zone, which is located near the children’s playground in the town, is a great way for older adults to keep active and fit and is a well used facility.
Maureen Kavanagh, chief executive of Active Retirement Ireland (ARI), would like to see similar initiatives spreading throughout the State.
“The gym and other health and fitness initiatives are important not only from a fitness perspective but also because they complement the ethos of positive ageing,” says Kavanagh.
“By exercising and taking part in physical activity, our members can remain in good physical and mental health. To date, a number of active retirement associations – including Carrigaline – have opened outdoor gyms in their areas, and we hope to see more over the coming years.”
But how practical is an outdoor gym in a country such as Ireland with its inclement climate?
“A lot of our members are already used to going outdoors in all kinds of weather to walk and play different sports and the idea is that they would combine the outdoor gym with their walking activity to give them a fairly all-round exercise regime,” says Kavanagh.
“The equipment is specially designed so that older people do not strain their physique but can tone up and increase their suppleness and flexibility through working on different areas of the body.”
With some 520 groups throughout the country and 23,000 members, ARI encourages any initiative that enables older people to live full and active lives and to keep well both physically and mentally.
Kavanagh would like to see outdoor gyms opened in other local authority areas, but advises that the location of these in the community is important and consultation with older people vital.
The Carrigaline outdoor adult gym was developed by Carrigaline Active Retirement Association with support from Cork County Council, Pepsi Co and South and East Cork Area Development Ltd. Some of the equipment is designed for use by two people to encourage social networking along with staying active.
Like the Dunshaughlin facility, the Carrigaline gym is located close to the children’s playground in the town park. One of the pieces of equipment is at the gate to the playground, so that parents and grandparents can keep an eye on the children while they exercise.
Barry Cogan, public relations officer of the Carrigaline ARA, says the outdoor gym is being used “morning, noon and night” by men, women and children. “The active retirement association put it there, but it’s there for everybody. We are seeing a great spread of ages use the facility, under and over 80s who are all fitness conscious,” says Cogan.
“We would certainly recommend it to any other community. It’s not very expensive to put in place and is a great, free amenity to have within a community.”
