Published Friday, 16th June 2023
Free to use, new ‘smart’ outdoor fitness areas are coming soon to Woodhatch Recreation Ground, Lady Neville Recreation Ground and Priory Park, Reigate.
The new fitness equipment will have a selection of ‘smart gym’ functions, with the option to link workouts to a free mobile phone app and to use some equipment to charge mobile devices.
Funding from developer contributions
The fitness areas are funded through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions, which is money collected from developers to help fund infrastructure and local services to support new developments.
The CIL bids were suggested by local ward councillors, who also gave their feedback on the most suitable schemes for their areas. Following a competitive tender process, £116,941 of funding was allocated for the three outdoor fitness areas.
More access to latest equipment in greenspaces across the borough
Cllr Nadean Moses, Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability, says: “Investing in the latest smart equipment in these three new outdoor fitness areas will help young people and adults stay fit and healthy. As well as providing free facilities and encouraging activity, residents can also take advantage of the extra functions if they wish, checking their performance via a phone app and powering their mobiles as they move.
“Our existing outdoor fitness areas at Nork Park, Preston Park and Redhill Memorial Park are very popular and installing these extra areas will give more people a chance to exercise in our wonderful green spaces. Look out for the new ones and please give them a go!”
Wide range of things to do – from touchscreen cross trainers to parallel bars
The new outdoor fitness areas, suitable for use by anyone aged 13 and over. Work is underway at Woodhatch Recreation Ground and all three fitness areas are expected to be installed this summer. A selection of equipment will be available at each site, potentially including:
- smart fitness, hand and city bikes
- magnetic bell weights
- touch screen cross trainers
- street workout combinations
- horizontal rowers
- lat pulldown, chest, leg and shoulder presses.
There will be plenty of signs and other information explaining how to use the equipment, which can be used with or without any smart phone functions. An optional free mobile phone app can be downloaded if people choose to take advantage of all the options on offer.
