New outdoor gym at King George V Playing Fields – www.watford.gov.uk

Building on the council’s commitment to helping people lead healthy and more active lifestyles, the free outdoor gym is fully accessible to users of all abilities and has been designed to meet the needs of strength training, increased flexibility and strength. There are also accessible equipment such as the handcycle, and the majority of gym machines have large print instructions, wider seats and transfer handles.

The equipment is focused on calisthenics workouts, which is an exercise routine in which people train using their own body weight, such as pull-ups, push-ups, and tricep dips. This style is great for outdoor gyms and street workouts because you can perform the exercises without any objects.

It’s also great for individual or group workouts (where restrictions allow) and offers something for everyone from beginners to pro trainers, with each piece having start and end diagrams that explain technique.

Watford Mayor-elect Peter Taylor said: “Outdoor gyms provide excellent free fitness opportunities for residents. I am truly delighted that we are investing in this new open facility at King George V Playing Fields. With over 15 outdoor gyms in Watford, we want to continue to ensure everyone has the chance to lead a healthy and happy life across the city. We hope this will help improve the physical and mental well-being of people in the community.

“With the recent Green Flag awarded to King George V Playing Fields for maintaining the highest possible environmental, maintenance and visitation standards and the Council’s continued investment with the new Watford Cycle Hub building and Learn- to-Ride being built in the park, it will be another valuable addition to this green space.

Advisor Jennifer Pattinson, portfolio holder for wellbeing, said: ‘The new outdoor gym builds on the existing fitness trail built in 2013 at King George V Playing Fields, which has been hugely popular with residents for the purpose of working out and staying in shape, and we hope the new addition of the new gym equipment will further encourage residents to use the park for both health and recreation.