Men - we can almost guarantee that you're spending too much time indoors!
In fact, it is probably fair to say that Britain is on the verge of becoming an ‘indoor nation’ and reasons for men to stay indoors range from working long hours in a home office, to home delivery and entertainment at their fingertips.
Almost half of England’s population is male, and it is very important for men to factor exercise into lifestyles as statistics show that men are twice as likely as women to die prematurely from cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, liver disease and accidents, and in terms of mental health, sadly, 3 in 4 suicides are by men.
20th January 2025
In this article, we look at the enormous benefits of introducing the men in your life to your local outdoor gym, where they can swap the stale air for the fresh air, indoor lighting for natural daylight and convert sedentary behaviour to fitness and movement.
Fresh Air Fitness has installed over 4500 outdoor gyms up and down the country.
We have seen a huge surge in interest following Covid as people want to be closer to nature, enjoy wide open spaces and enjoy use of a facility that is 100% free to use. The cost of living is also causing whole communities to consider ways to get active outside with low cost or no cost at all.
Outdoor gyms provide a versatile and inclusive space for men’s fitness, offering equipment that caters to men of all abilities and fitness levels.
Men are often drawn to the strength range of our adult exercise equipment, such as our award-winning Big Rig with its multiple stations and exercise options, but our cardio pieces are also popular such as The Rower and the Bike.
Accessible pieces, including hand cycles, low-resistance strength machines, and wheelchair-friendly equipment, ensure that everyone, including men living with mobility challenges, can participate and benefit from physical activity.
Our outdoor gym zones come with the added advantages of fostering social interaction, and creating an environment that promotes health, inclusivity, and community engagement for all.
An outdoor gym provides a sense of belonging for men who develop a shared interest through meeting up each week.
It is a relaxed and informal place where men can connect with no pressure. Many men find a renewed sense of purpose and identity with regular visits to a Fresh Air Fitness outdoor gym.
Make the outdoor gym a regular feature of your life by setting a time to visit in the weekly calendar, meet up with people in the community or make a plan with a friend.
Cycling or walking together to a workout can also help commitment, provide a handy warm up and boost the social element of a new regime.
Men sometimes pull back socially as they age and at this point exercise can become really important, particularly in reducing social isolation.
Following a recent Aviva Health Insurance Survey, although some men are finding ways to improve their mental health, there are still concerns around stigma and there are some suffering in silence.
More than a third of men (35%) believe that men do still ‘suffer in silence’ and that they don’t like to admit when they have a problem (34%). However, we are seeing progress and more than a quarter of men aged 16-24 (28%) believe men who openly discuss mental health are being good role models.
It’s no surprise that nearly a quarter (24%) of this age group feeling more pressure than ever to look good.
In the older age groups, Stress continues to be one of the main causes of short- and long-term absence, states the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIDP). A third of men (33%), according to their study, have taken a day of leave from work because of their mental health.
As an antidote to stress, according to the Adults’ People and Nature Survey – an ongoing survey about how people in England experience the environment - 84% of adults agreed that being in nature makes them ‘very happy’.
Exercising outdoors in a natural environment has many benefits for men such as invigorating the body, improving lung function, and boosting oxygen circulation, which is crucial for overall health.
Time spent outdoors, not only improves cardiovascular health but also helps reduce stress levels.
The natural environment acts as a calming backdrop, boosting mood and promoting mental clarity. For men who spend significant time indoors, whether at work or home, fresh air provides a refreshing escape, combating the negative effects of sedentary lifestyles and stale indoor environments.
An outdoor gym provides just as many options as an indoor gym. People-powered, good for the environment and a great new way to build strength, stamina and lean muscle, some of the most popular pieces in our park installations include:
Big Rig: A versatile full-body training rig combining seven fixed workout stations with multiple pull-up bars, accommodating up to 17 users simultaneously. It allows for a wide range of strength exercises targeting various muscle groups.
FRESH AIR FITNESS
Find your closest outdoor gym using our interactive map here https://www.freshairfitness.co.uk/site-installations. To find an outdoor gym in a park near you, you just need to type your town or postcode into the search bar and hit 'Enter'.
Have questions about using an outdoor gym before you head out? Why not read out blog which answers the most frequently asked questions., or why not visit our YouTube channel which has a library of instructional videos you can watch for free.
Back to all blog posts
