Types of Outdoor Fitness Structures and Equipment for Adults
Many adults today do not get enough physical exercise and, therefore, miss out on important benefits to their health and overall well-being. Many people find a gym intimidating at worst and dull at best. For some, a gym membership may not even be an option. A great alternative is an outdoor fitness area. You can help adults in your community improve their health and bring your community together with outdoor fitness equipment for adults.
Interested in a particular piece of equipment? Jump ahead with one of the links below:
- Vertical Climb
- Rope Climbs
- Beam Jump
- Balance Beam
- Sit-Up Benches
- Pullup Bar
- Chin-Up Bar
- Dip and Leg Raise Station
- Leg Lift Poles
- Ab Station
- Step-Up Platforms
- Hyperextension Bench
- Press Station
- Monkey Bars
- Row Stations
- Arc Ladder and Arc Traverse
- Cargo Nets
- Outdoor Training Systems
Types of Outdoor Fitness Structures
Miracle® Recreation offers a wide variety of outdoor fitness equipment for adults. Together, these items can provide users with an aerobic workout, strength training and balance exercises. Let’s explore the options available so you can choose the best equipment types for your outdoor fitness installation.
1. Vertical Climb
Climbing is a great way to get your heart pumping, work on balance and build strength in your arms and legs. A vertical climb provides the perfect place for climbing up and down. This simple piece of equipment can be used in a number of ways. In addition to climbing, you can also stretch arms by gripping overhead rungs or stretch legs by hooking an ankle over a lower rung like a ballet bar.
2. Rope Climbs
For a more challenging climbing experience, rope climb equipment is a great option. This piece of equipment includes a thick rope hanging from the middle of an archway. Pulling yourself up the rope can help develop grip and upper body strength. This can also be an effective activity for building endurance. Unlike a ladder, where you can rest with each step if you want, a rope requires you to keep your muscles engaged throughout the climb up and the descent down the rope.
3. Beam Jump
A beam jump consists of narrow beams placed low to the ground. Whereas balance beams are made to be walked on, beam jumps are designed to be jumped over. You can jump horizontally back and forth or can also move forward or backward as they jump. These movements can provide aerobic exercise and balance practice as you shift your center of gravity. Lateral jumping is also a great way to exercise muscles in your legs, especially the quadriceps, hamstrings and glutes.
4. Balance Beam
As the name suggests, a balance beam is an ideal piece of equipment for developing your sense of balance. Keeping steady as you walk across the balance beam also engages the core. Balance beams don’t need to be high off the ground as you might imagine at the Olympics. They can be placed close to the ground so a misstep or loss of balance is a mere hiccup rather than a fall. Playground users can keep trying again and again to improve their core strength and balance.
5. Sit-Up Benches
Sit-ups involve lying on the back and lifting the torso repeatedly to a sitting position. This simple exercise can help adults strengthen and tone their core muscles along with muscles in their chest, lower back, neck and hips. Sit-up benches provide an elevated flat surface for lying back and doing sit-ups. On a sit-up bench, you can also do similar exercises like crunches, which isolate the abdominal muscles.
6. Pullup Bar
If you really want to build upper body strength, a pullup bar is a go-to piece of fitness equipment. The outdoor training system pullup bar from Miracle Recreation is designed with two handles that extend off the main bar for comfortable gripping. Users strive to support their own weight by hanging from the bar or further challenge themselves by pulling their body up above the height of the bar and lowering themselves back down repeatedly.
7. Chin-Up Bar
A similar piece of equipment to the pullup bar is the chin-up bar. This equipment features two textured horizontal bars at different levels to accommodate different heights and abilities. The difference between a chin-up compared to a pullup is that you grip the bar with your palms facing toward you. This subtle difference makes this exercise engage different muscles in the upper body. Chin-ups are a challenging exercise that fitness enthusiasts will love getting to include in their workout.
8. Dip and Leg Raise Station
A dip station is a fun and easy piece of equipment to strengthen arms. Two parallel bars extend out from a vertical pole. By gripping both bars and raising legs off the ground, the user can then raise themselves up by straightening their arms and lower themselves back down again. This exercise is known as a dip and is a great way to build upper body strength.
You can also lean on the concave seatback on this piece of equipment as you grip the side bars and raise and lower your legs while keeping them straight. Leg raises can build both upper body, core strength and leg strength — especially in the hip flexors and hamstrings.
9. Leg Lift Poles
Another piece of equipment that helps with leg and arm exercises is the leg lift pole. Simply grip the protruding ring at the right level for your height and lift your legs off the ground. From here, you can do a variety of exercises to work your legs. You’ll also be working your arm muscles as you support your own weight.
10. Ab Station
When you want to focus on your core health, the ab station should be your go-to piece of equipment. This equipment has an arched seat for you to lie back on while doing exercises like sit-ups and bicycle crunches. A horizontal bar at one end of the seat provides a spot to brace yourself or hold your feet down during sit-ups and crunches. Many exercises engage the core, but the ab station allows you to focus on your abdominal muscles to give them a good workout.
11. Step-Up Platforms
Step exercises with a step-up platform can be a great form of low-impact aerobic exercise. In other words, it gets your heart pumping to help you burn calories and doesn’t put much stress on joints. Step exercises can also help you build strength in your legs. The step station provides two steps that are open on one side, allowing for lots of different exercises. You can step up to the first step and back down repeatedly, or step up and down to the side.
You can also use both steps or raise legs higher, marching-style, as you step to increase the challenge. You can also jump instead of step. Whatever level of intensity you’re looking for, the step-up platform can accommodate it. It even includes a handlebar, which provides support and helps you balance as you use the equipment.
12. Hyperextension Bench
Hyperextension exercises can be a great way to stretch and strengthen the back. The hyperextension bench provides a place to anchor your feet while you stretch out your body, facing downward. You can allow your upper body to dip down and then raise yourself back up to work your core, including your back and abdominal muscles. A hyperextension bench is a bit more adventurous than some other types of outdoor fitness equipment, so it will appeal especially to physically fit adults who want to push themselves further.
13. Press Station
Pushups are popular exercises for working the upper body, as well as the lower back and core. Traditional pushups can be difficult for some people, making standing pushups a great alternative. You can get a similar workout that is easier on the joints and a bit less challenging overall by doing standing pushups. The press station provides the perfect piece of equipment for this exercise since you can grip the handles at the appropriate level for you, straighten your body with feet on the ground and lower and raise your arms.
That’s not all you can do with the press station, either. You can also do a side plank by standing next to the press station, facing forward. Grip the handle with the hand nearest the station and extend the other arm out while keeping your body rigid. This exercise can work your arms and core.
14. Monkey Bars
Monkey bars aren’t just for kids. Adults can get a great workout, too, by using monkey bars designed for them. Moving across the monkey bars, one arm at a time, with your body hanging below you is a challenging exercise that develops arm and shoulder strength. It can also help improve grip strength along with balance and coordination. The monkey bars are a surprisingly versatile piece of equipment — there are at least 20 exercises you can do with monkey bars to target specific muscle groups.
15. Row Stations
Fitness enthusiasts may have used a rowing machine at the gym before. You can get a similar workout on a simpler piece of equipment that’s well-suited for an outdoor environment. The row station allows you to do different exercises to work the upper arms and back. By gripping the handles and leaning back, you pull on the upper body and engage those muscles. Try one-handed and two-handed exercises to work different muscles at this strength-building station.
16. Arc Ladder and Arc Traverse
The arc ladder is a concave ladder. You can do all sorts of exercises to achieve a total body workout on this piece of equipment. This equipment is also useful for stretching since you can hook a foot over a rung to stretch, or grip an overhead bar and pull down to stretch your arms.
The arc traverse is similar to the monkey bars. The difference is that instead of facing forward, you move side-to-side on the bars. This exercise works muscles in the arms and chest. It also helps with grip strength.
17. Cargo Nets
A cargo net is an exciting piece of equipment for climbing exercises. These nets are held taut by a rigid frame but are slack enough that they require the user to engage their core and sense of balance to keep steady. Cargo nets come in two different sizes — a 5-foot net and a 10-foot net. The wider option allows you to try climbing sideways as well as vertically. Both options make a great addition to any outdoor fitness space as they’re intuitive to use and provide great balance practice.
18. Outdoor Training Systems
If you’re not sure where to start or which pieces of equipment to choose for your fitness park, consider an outdoor training system that combines multiple pieces of equipment into one compact and exciting layout. At Miracle Recreation, you can choose from four different group fit training systems, including:
- One: The Group Fit 1 is the most comprehensive system we offer. It includes an ab station, both sizes of cargo nets, arc traverse, dip station, press station, row station, step station, arch ladder, monkey bars and pullup bar. With the Group Fit 1, someone can get a whole-body workout, all in one place.
- Two: The Group Fit 2 training system is another great option that offers plenty of variety. It includes the same equipment as the Group Fit 1 except for the ab station, arch ladder, and the larger cargo net. This system offers a different layout from the Group Fit 1, so you may find it better suits your design vision.
- Three: The Group Fit 3 includes a press, 5-foot cargo net, dip station, pullup bar, arc ladder, step station and row station. Together, these equipment options can help users work on balance and coordination, strengthen muscles and burn energy.
- Four: The Group Fit 4 features an arc ladder bookended by a dip station and a step station. This is the most compact group training system, making it a good choice for smaller recreational areas. You may also want to start with this option if you’re looking to gauge interest in outdoor fitness equipment. Then, you can add other pieces of equipment or another system when you’re ready.
3 Big Advantages Of Outdoor Fitness Park Equipment for Adults
There are a few key reasons why you should consider adding outdoor fitness equipment for adults to your space. This equipment can help improve people’s health, attract more visitors to your playground and increase community engagement.
1. Improves Health
Fitness equipment can help people in your community improve and maintain their health. Less than a quarter of adults get enough aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise. Unless a person’s job involves physical activity, they’ll likely need to dedicate some of their free time to working out. But not everyone has easy access to a gym or their own equipment at home. When outdoor fitness equipment is available, adults in your community can improve their health in notable ways. Physical activity can help adults:
- Manage weight and avoid obesity
- Reduce the risk of health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers
- Boost mood and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety
- Improve sleep quality and cognitive functioning
- Strengthen bones and muscles, decreasing the likelihood of injury
2. Attracts More Visitors
From your organization’s perspective, adding fitness equipment to your outdoor space can make the space more engaging and attractive. For example, an apartment community can market an outdoor fitness area as a real asset that attracts tenants who would take advantage of this amenity. In fact, some renters won’t even consider an apartment if there are no fitness amenities on-site.
Public parks and playgrounds can also attract more visitors by adding fitness equipment for adults. Adults who bring their kids to play will appreciate that there’s a place where they can still supervise playtime while getting some exercise themselves. Even grandparents can use fitness equipment to help them maintain strong bones and muscles and keep their energy levels up.
3. Boosts Community Engagement
Fitness equipment that’s accessible to everyone in your community doesn’t just benefit individuals — it benefits the community as a whole. People can come together to work on their physical fitness, encouraging and challenging each other. This sort of camaraderie is a wonderful thing, especially when it’s centered around the common goal of health.
Rather than working out in a closed-off gym building, people are exercising in the open air, surrounded by others in their community. This is a great place to meet new friends and neighbors and set a positive example for the kids in your community.
5 Tips for Adding Adult Fitness Equipment and Courses
If you’re adding adult fitness equipment to your outdoor recreation space, there are a few considerations you should think through to make this exciting step a success. Follow these tips:
- Choose durable, low-maintenance equipment: Some exercise equipment has moving parts that may require ongoing lubrication or other maintenance to stay in good shape. To fair well in outdoor conditions and require minimal maintenance, you need equipment that is durable and simple. Static equipment can allow users to do all sorts of exercises — no pulley systems or electronics necessary.
- Include simple instructions for use: Some fitness participants may not know how to use a piece of equipment or may not realize there is more than one way to work out with the same piece of equipment. Simple instructions — preferably as simple as a pictorial diagram — are helpful in these scenarios. Include a sign with each piece of equipment showing the user what they should do. Of course, they are free to come up with their own modifications to fit their abilities and goals, as long as they are using the equipment safely.
- Include plenty of variety: Variety is always key when designing a playground or an adult fitness park. Everyone comes to the park with different abilities and limitations. A variety of equipment can help you provide options that accommodate all of these varying ability levels. Variety also keeps the space engaging so users are inclined to stay and exercise for longer. They can also enjoy a more comprehensive workout that helps them exercise different muscle groups and do both high- and low-intensity activities.
- Determine the best layout: The configuration of your equipment can make a big difference when it comes to aesthetics and usability, so take some time to determine the best layout for your space. If you’re installing adult fitness equipment near a playground, consider placing it within close enough proximity that parents can exercise while they watch their children. You should also ensure there is clear separation between equipment intended for kids and equipment intended for adults.
- Raise awareness in the community: To get the most out of your new installation, make sure the community knows about it. Parents and other caregivers may choose your park over a closer one if they know it offers equipment for the whole family. If your installation is intended for a private community, as in the case of an apartment complex, advertising this perk can attract residents who are eager to get outside and get some exercise without having to go far.
Why Choose Miracle Recreation?
If you’re looking to purchase outdoor fitness equipment, there are several reasons why you should shop with Miracle Recreation. We offer our customers:
- Durable equipment constructed to withstand outdoor conditions and lots of use
- Designs that prioritize safety and signs to ensure users know how to correctly utilize the equipment
- Fitness equipment for both kids and adults so you can create a recreation area for the whole family
- An extensive catalog full of varied equipment, both standalone and combined workout systems
- Customization options so you can choose the ideal color to match your space or your branding
- Expertise to help you choose the best options for your project parameters and goals
Perhaps most importantly, we have a passion for fun and fitness that makes its way into every product we offer. When you want to provide people with an exciting space to improve their health, equipment from Miracle Recreation can help you do just that.
Contact Us Today to Learn More About Our Line of Outdoor Fitness Equipment
If you’re ready to get started creating your outdoor fitness park for adults in your community, explore all the options on our online catalog. If you have any questions or would like a quote, reach out to us today. We’re eager to help you make this project a reality!