Outdoor Fitness Equipment is Growing Worldwide

22nd May 2023

That’s according to a freshly published report from Allied Market Research; the sector was previously valued at $1.5bn in 2020. 

The outdoor gym sector dominates the global market for outdoor fitness equipment, and this is expected to remain the case for the rest of the forecast period. Meanwhile, in terms of countries involved, North America’s market dominance also looks set to continue. 

What is outdoor exercise equipment? 

Outdoor exercise products clearly come in many different shapes and sizes, each with different features to work separate parts of the body. But, for the purposes of the report, outdoor fitness equipment means any used throughout a physical activity to regulate weight and boost stamina while developing muscles. 

These items can include bikes, stretching machines, strength-building and weightlifting devices. What’s more, key industry players are devising new machines all the time, driving market growth still further. 

This equipment is designed to be used in public or private outdoor spaces, and people of all ages can use it to work out and train outside for minimal charges or for free. In terms of health benefits, these are identical to using the equivalent kit indoors. 

What drives the outdoor gym market and what holds it back?

• In developed markets, for example in the UK and Europe, growth is likely to be driven by high-end equipment with sophisticated, advanced user interaction. In emerging countries like Brazil or India, meanwhile, innovative kinds of kit featuring a variety of countries are likely to be the draw. 
• Equally, the growing preference for al fresco exercise and its associated benefits compared with working out indoors are set to drive growth across this sector of the fitness industry. 
• One of the main factors driving the growth of the outdoor fitness equipment market, globally but especially in developed parts of the world such as the EU and North America, is the creeping problem of obesity. This is driven by sedentary lifestyles, a lack of time for physical exercise and unhealthy diets. Across EU member states, for example, more than half (52%) of people are overweight or obese. 
• The increasing number of outdoor exercise facilities with free or low-cost, varied equipment has led to more people using them, and this has also pushed the growth of this sector. 

Among the things which have held back expansion was the (wrongful) perception among consumers that this equipment was not well maintained, while operators (again, incorrectly) believed upkeep would be costly. 

This has created the potential for items whose maintenance would be low-cost, plus dual-use solutions, for example a walker with an extended push-up bar. 

The UK’s Leading Outdoor Fitness Equipment Specialist

At Fresh Air Fitness, we’re the UK’s leading providers of outdoor gym equipment, with some 16 years’ industry experience and 4,500+ installations to our name. We weren’t surprised by the report’s finding that this sector has expanded – after all, we’ve seen the huge benefits of outdoor gyms for ourselves. 

We produce and install kit from cross-trainers to chin-up bars, sit-up benches, exercise bikes, parallel bars and more. And we work with schools, care homes, the NHS, councils and others. Get in touch to learn more about how we could transform your community and its health and wellbeing.