Red Deer residents have been feeling the burn at outdoor gyms across the city, and the successful program is looking to add trainers to its regimen, starting Tuesday.
“The biggest barrier for people to try any new exercise is actually getting out there and doing it,” said Lorna Milkovich, executive director at Red Deer Primary Care Network.
“We hope this will get more people to come try the outdoor gyms.”
The care network and the City of Red Deer, acting in a partnership, opened four outdoor gyms in the summer of 2009.
The care network built the adult playgrounds — that utilize fun, easy-to-use exercise equipment in city parks — with the goal of getting adults in the community more active.
Each park is made up of 12 “double fitness machines,” designed to work out various parts of the body.
The machines are maintained by the City of Red Deer workers.
Six more outdoor gyms were opened in Red Deer parks last summer due to the popularity of the project, and Milkovich said she hopes this year will see the open-air workout spaces the busiest they’ve ever been.
“We’re looking to put the health into health care, because the more people exercise, the healthier they’re gong to be,” Milkovich said.
The primary care network health basics coaches, who are also trained kinesiologists, will be at three outdoor gyms on Tuesday: Glendale Park from 9 a.m. to noon, and Bower Place and Johnstone Crossing from 1 to 4 p.m.
These are the first of eight sets of orientation sessions — taking place at the 10 outdoor gyms on Tuesdays through May and June.
Milkovich hopes the sessions will help people who already use the outdoor gyms regularly to maximize their workout’s efficiency; but said the coaches will be available to answer any questions newcomers may have about the free facilities and demonstrate the proper and safe ways to use the equipment.
She also said if any groups in Red Deer want to organize a personal training session, they can contact the care network to set up a free consultation anytime between May and September.
For a schedule of the outdoor gym training sessions, visit reddeerpcn.com. To book a free onsite appearance, call 403-343-9100 or email info@rdpcn.com.
syoung@www.reddeeradvocate.com