Outdoor gyms to promote fitness and social life
MEMBERSHIP fees at most gyms may cost an arm and a leg but Durbanites are increasingly finding they can get fit and agile without spending a cent.
The eThekwini Municipality’s living healthy initiative, which has resulted in gym equipment being installed in neighbourhood parks around the city, is proving a hit.
A Chatsworth councillor is now hoping the increased foot traffic to parks will ward off criminal activities and unite communities.
So far, 20 gyms have been set up in various parts of eThekwini, in areas including Hammersdale, Bulwer Park, Morningside, Marian Ridge and Phoenix.
Since its inception in 2014, other provincial departments, as well as individual businesses, have approached the city for ideas or to donate outdoor gym equipment to the various wards.
The idea, sparked by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture, aims to develop and provide affordable physical training experiences to both the old and young at no cost.
In a statement, the municipality said residents need not fear about their safety as the city had arranged for police to routinely check the parks and monitor the equipment.
Councillor Ganas Govender, of Ward 69 in Chatsworth, said a few weeks remained until the gym in ward 70 (Woodhurst, Westcliff and Silverglen) was completed and ready for use.
“I hope this will promote a lifestyle change among residents, where they are encouraged to take control of their health,” said Govender.
“The city is trying to change people’s lifestyles by promoting fitness and reducing the increasing rate of obesity and other related illnesses brought on by being overweight.
“Nowadays, many people are consumed by work and make no time to take proper care of themselves. These gyms, which are near their homes, will help build social cohesion among neighbours and bring families, who hardly spend quality time with each other, together while exercising.”
Govender said various illegal activities took place at parks and, as a result, residents feared walking through the greenery.
“Added to this, the homeless sleep in the park, so residents stay away. But with the implementation of these gyms, we may be able to get more people out into their communities and this could possibly reduce the crime taking place,” said Govender, who added that if communities frequented the parks in their numbers, they would gain control of their neighbourhoods.
“With this free outdoor gym, people will be excited and will visit in their numbers.”
He said there was already an outdoor gym in Welbedacht.
“It has been there for about four months, by the RDP houses, and people are loving it and using it all the time.”
Neighbouring Wards 71 (parts of Crossmoor, Shallcross and Moorton) and 69 (Bayview, Havenside and Mobeni Heights) will be the next areas tackled by the municipality.
In Phoenix, residents have two outdoor gyms, one at the Rydalvale sports grounds and the other at Stanmore Park.
Kurashia Cassim, 62, of Grove End, said she and her friends walk to the nearby Stanmore Park almost every day to use the outdoor gym.
The group have been using it since it was built three years ago.
“We use the gym to train for the Golden Games. It is an initiative by the Department of Sport to promote sport among senior citizens,” she said.
The group of elderly women, gold and silver medallists, participate in various activities during the Golden Games, including athletics (running and walking), ring the stick, ball relay, juski, and rugby ball throw to name a few.
Cassim, who competes in ring the stick along with a group of four others, said she had three sliver medals for the past three years that they have be participating. She said the gym was a great idea and the residents of Phoenix appreciated it.
“A lot of children and senior citizens use it. It is great for those who cannot afford to go to a proper gym and the equipment here is still in great shape.”
She said they did not have to worry about their safety, as there were often people around.
“Since the gym became available, families come out in their numbers and encourage each other to lead better lives.”
The grandmother of three said she supported the municipality’s healthy living initiative as it helped her and her friends become fit and active.