Leveraging Outdoor Fitness Equipment to Strengthen Your Project's Impact and Inclusivity

Open spaces have the potential to transform lives, but how do we help those of varying ages, abilities, and interests reap the benefits of increased health and social connection? Outdoor exercise equipment serves as a way to engage those commonly left on the sidelines of recreational activities in open spaces, such as teens, parents, older adults, and people in wheelchairs. However, to truly shape a community through outdoor fitness equipment, one must thoughtfully design a space that considers community demographics, accessibility, social components, site conditions, user experience, and long-term performance. This session explores the growing need for outdoor fitness equipment and the role fresh-air gyms can play in improving health, wellness, and social connection for people of varying ages, abilities, and interests. Participants will learn how to assess community needs, select fitness solutions accordingly, and apply design strategies that increase participation and long-term success. Through real-world case studies, attendees will gain actionable strategies for creating outdoor workout spaces that deliver lasting community value.

Upon completion of this course, the Learner should be able to:

• Describe the ways in which outdoor fitness areas can meet the needs of communities and enhance quality of life, particularly in underserved areas.
• Assess community demographics, health goals, and recreational accessibility needs to determine the most appropriate outdoor fitness opportunities for users of varying ages, abilities, and activity levels.
• Apply evidence-based planning and design strategies — including site selection, circulation, accessibility, shade, surfacing, visibility, and supporting amenities — to create outdoor fitness environments that maximize safety, wellness, and long-term use.
• Analyze completed outdoor fitness projects to identify design decisions that contributed to increased participation, improved community health outcomes, equitable access, and long-term return on investment.

Approximately 1 hour. Delivered via webinar or face-to-face presentation. Available sessions shown below.

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This course is registered with: 2 Industry Association(s)