EDUCATION - SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Inclusive outdoor gym installed for children aged 11-19 to build cardio and muscular strength, maintaining and improving physical and mental wellbeing.
Chertsey High School, part of the Bourne Education Trust, is a co-educational secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 16. Following the success of the Fresh Air Fitness outdoor gym installation at their neighbouring school Philip Southcote, a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities School, Chertsey High School wanted their own facility, with a range of accessible equipment pupils could use primarily to develop muscular strength.
The outdoor gym needed to cater for the whole school, of all abilities including those with SEND. The school also wanted to allow access for the trusts wider community of children at Philip Southcote. Therefore the preference was for a different selection of equipment on their site, providing a variety of different training options.
With mixed abilities, the solution needed to challenge everyone from beginners, focussing on essential co-ordination, flexbility and strength development to more advanced strength building.
Thanks to the wide range of products available, Fresh Air Fitness installed a variety of outdoor gym equipment predominately from the Strength range. Suitable for ages 11+, this selection offered a versatile fitness facility for the pupils to enjoy in PE lessons, team training and their break-times too! And with 2 accessible pieces for wheelchair users, the gym is highly inclusive, benefitting everyone attending this school and the neighbouring SEND school. Many of the pdocut selected offer two or more users at once, making the gym even more sociable.
Their outdoor gym included:
• Combi: Pull Down and Chest Press - This strength building piece of equipment offers the benefits of a chest press and a pull-down challenger all on one frame.
• Accessible Combi: Pull Down and Chest Press - specifically designed for wheelchair users, the innovative design works in union with the user’s own wheelchair, allowing a dual upper body workout – a chest press and a pull-down challenger, building strength in the chest arms and back.
• Cardio Combi - A combination of our 2 most popular pieces of outdoor gym equipment, the Cardio Combi combines the Double Air Walker with the Air Skier, to develop muscular and heart strength, flexibility and balance
• Accessible Arm and Pedal Bike - a fantastic, low impact piece of equipment that enables the user to position their chair in front of the frame and use the equipment whilst seated. Simple yet effective low impact pedals develop cardiovascular fitness, strength and tone in the arms and legs while improving coordination, cardiovascular strength and core stability.
• Leg Lift Station - Used for strength building, our Leg Lift Station has been designed for users to perform knee raises and leg lifts. Beginners can start with knee raises, building strength and tone in the core and upper thighs, while more advanced users can perform leg lifts, a much tougher exercise, working the same muscles. The solid frame has handles positioned at the back of the frame, for neutral and lateral grip pull-ups.
• Seated Leg Press – A great alternative to traditional squats and the seated position means less strain on the knees. Once seated, users simply push away from the frame and the resistance is provided by a user’s body weight, which is a low impact route to muscle strengthening and development.
• Arm and Pedal Bike – The arm and pedal bike is a fantastic, low impact piece of equipment that allows a user to sit whilst exercising and the upright position offers good back support. It improves flexibility, strengthens the core and provides an excellent cardiovascular exercise.
• Rider – Similar to a rower, but positioned upright, users push with their legs while pulling with their arms against resistance, moving their entire body up and down. Setting their own pace, moving as quickly or slowly as they choose, building cardio strength, stamina and muscular strength.
• Twist & Step - A two in one piece of equipment designed for users to do supported step or rotational exercises supported by a bar to hold and support the body to improve flexibility, core strength and cardio fitness.
• Double sit up benches - Specially designed to provide safe, yet intense core workout, our Double Sit Up Benches. Perfect for back extensions, crunches or twists, the benches allow users to work the length of their abdominal muscles. The frame can also be used for triceps dips, incline and decline press-ups to further build upper body strength.
Thinking of researching the possibility of an outdoor gym in your school, but not sure if you can find the budget? Reach out to one of our team who have experience in the funding process and would be delighted to provide you with a copy of our free Funding Guide. Many of our installations have been successful due to funding support, including many outdoor gym projects which have been 100% funded!
If you would like to find out how an outdoor gym could benefit your school, one of our team would love to hear from you on 01483 357289 (South) or 0151 3293550 (North).
This is a fantastic solution for Chertsey High School, the equipment provides a unique sports facility for the children, who will all benefit greatly from its regularly use.
MATT RUSSELL, SALES EXECUTIVE FRESH AIR FITNESS.