EDUCATION - PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Tolworth Infant and Nursery School, an Ofsted Outstanding provider, recognised the importance of movement for healthier and happier breaktimes.
They chose to work with Fresh Air Fitness to create three exciting new outdoor gym solutions.
In order to boost engagement in a way that allowed all children, regardless of sporting ability, to participate in outdoor exercise, the school sought out options for a year round exercise solution – and they found Fresh Air Fitness.
The challenge for this age group was to provide outdoor gym equipment which created an excellent opportunity for pupils to learn fundamental movement skills in a dynamic setting, helping to develop coordination, balance and agility skills.
Climbing, jumping and swinging movements support gross motor development, while hand-eye coordination needs to be strengthened through interactive elements.
Socially, pupils would also need to benefit from developing spatial awareness as they navigate different apparatus safely, fostering self-awareness and confidence in movement, as well as learning to take turns and motivate one another.
The selection of equipment chosen, covered off the key physical learning principles, as follows:
• Air Skier
Encourages balance, coordination and spatial awareness as children control their swinging motion while standing. It strengthens core stability and develops lower limb agility.
• Cardio Combi
Supports cardiovascular fitness and engages multiple children in simultaneous exercise. It teaches teamwork, turn-taking and social interaction while improving gross motor skills.
• Double Cross Country Skier
Develops rhythm, reaction time and bilateral coordination, as children move in a controlled ‘skiing’ motion. Encourages cooperative learning and motivating one another, when used with a partner.
• Seated Leg Press
Builds lower body strength, particularly targeting quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles. Helps develop endurance.
• Arm and Pedal Bike
Improves hand-eye coordination, upper body strength and balance as children coordinate pedalling and arm movements simultaneously. Enhances self-regulation through controlled motion.
• Elliptical Cross Trainer
Allows children to explore dynamic movement, adjusting pace and direction to work different muscle groups. Develops cardiovascular endurance, coordination and spatial awareness.
• Children's Rider
Promotes muscular development in the arms, legs and core. Encourages gross motor skill refinement and active participation through rhythmic movements.
The school were delighted with the results and the service they received from Fresh Air Fitness, in fact, due to the resounding success of the initial outdoor gym equipment, Tolworth Infant and Nursery School got back in touch with the team at Fresh Air Fitness to request two further installations.
During the consultation, a discussion was held about the best equipment to enhance the outdoor gym to improve the opportunities available for the children.
The Children's Fitness Rigwas recommended as providing the best diversity of exercise opportunities for the budget and space available.
The Children’s Fitness Rig is a one-of-a-kind, child-sized calisthenics-based rig. Our in-house, research and development team created the Children’s Fitness Rig drawing on 17 years of experience on what maximises fun during exercise, for Primary School aged children.
The 5 innovative, exercise ‘stations’ include:
• Air Skier
• Monkey Bars
• Seated Leg Press
• T’ai Chi Spinners
• Inclusive Arm Bike
This was fitted with a mulch surface to protect the grounds and promote year-round use.
An additional three piece gym was selected to be installed in another used area of the school grounds, maximising opportunity for year-round, outdoor activity for the children. The products included a Children’s Rower, Children’s Double Cross Country Skier and Children’s Seated Leg Press.
At Fresh Air Fitness, we have installed over 4500 outdoor gyms nationwide. Outdoor gyms can be found in local parks, green spaces, next to community centres, along trim trails and beside children’s playgrounds. If you would like to find out more about installing an outdoor gym, you can download our brochure here.
Our team of experts can signpost you to many funding options, which can ‘part-fund’ or, in many cases, ‘fully-fund’ your outdoor gym project.
We have already supported primary schools, colleges, community groups, councils, schools, and charities across the UK. Print our free guide on Funding Support.
