If you’ve been working out at the playground recently, you’ve probably realized that a few more people are around than usual. With many gyms closing, many people are resorting to outdoor workouts. You may be wondering, “What is the best outdoor fitness equipment?”

This guide will give you the answer to your question. Read on below as we explore the best outdoor fitness equipment.

  1. TRX

TRX is at the top of the list in regards to suspension workouts. While you can perform things indoors, it’s far better to do them outside. Locate a sturdy tree limb and go to work! You could get in a great full-body exercise with a TRX at the park on a bright sunny day. If the weather permits, that is.

  1. Kettlebells

Oh, my goodness! Have you done kettlebell training in the open air? If you haven’t already, go on and give it a try. Kettlebells may be the unique single item of fitness equipment anyone can buy. If you don’t want to drive to a park, you may use them in your residence or backyard!

  1. Battle ropes

Feel the heat! Bring Battle ropes to the park and tie them around a pole or a tree. You’ll feel it after 20 seconds of your first set. Numerous combat rope workouts may be done outside. When the time comes, go to YouTube and look them up. Outdoor battle rope training is no laughing matter!

  1. Sandbags

With sandbags, you can get in some serious workouts! Get some complex motions in with these, whether in your garden or nearby park. Dumbbell sandbags are also available! Sandbags are ideal for exercises such as deadlifts, overhead presses, and good old-fashioned curls.

  1. Station for Pull-Ups and Dips

Who says bodyweight workouts aren’t challenging? Do Ten pull-ups and ten dips immediately after. You’ll probably start breathing heavily shortly, even if you are in reasonably good form. This is an excellent buy if you have a room in your yard. You could also get in some good belly workouts with these.

  1. Medicine Balls

It’s time to integrate ball smashes into your routine if you haven’t before. Feel it throughout your entire body! Do you want to get that six-pack? With these, you can get in pretty serious ab workouts. You may also try to toss these as high and as far back as possible for some fun activities! Ensure you have enough space. A park is an ideal location for this. Medicine balls occupy minimal space for storage and are extremely good at adapting to different kinds of exercises.

  1. Portable Bow

Resistance band workouts are no laughing matter, and this item takes it to another level! Squats, press, ab training, curls, and much more this bow may be used indoors, at a park, or in your backyard.

  1. Resistance Bands

If you have not employed bands in your workout outdoors yet, it’s a pastime. Bands can aid with everything from hip workouts to pull-ups to shoulder training. You may also use the bands to warm up while you get started!

  1. Set of Speed Cones and Ladders

Do you want to raise your heart rate swiftly? Ladders, as well as cone routines, will provide you with the aerobic workout you seek. These are ideal for usage on the park’s shorter grassland. Carry this bag when you’re at a park near your house.

Outdoor Fitness Equipment Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are the most effective outdoor exercises?

It all depends on your objectives! Begin writing down your objectives as you get into a habit, and maintain that outdoor fitness going! Springs, yoga, heavyweight training, long-distance running, mobility work, HIIT workouts, and the list continues on and on! Give each a try to see which one you prefer.

  1. What kind of equipment can we use outside?

Sandbags, kettlebells, pull-up stations, medicine balls, TRX, bands, and so on! No concerns if you do not want to or cannot afford to acquire these items right now. Check out the free available resources to you instead.

  1. Is it better to exercise outside?

The fresh air, the scenery, and the general environment! Wouldn’t that sound preferable to a hot, humid gym with Seventy other folks? That doesn’t seem very enticing, especially these days.

  1. What type of workout equipment can I place in my yard?

Begin with a pull-up/dip station. Just doing bodyweight exercises can give you a great workout!

Final Verdict

As we have seen above, there is no shortage of fitness equipment you can use outdoors. Exercising outside or in parks is among the most beneficial activities you can perform on any particular day. Taking the workout equipment out can be pretty helpful. The energy is an entirely different story.

Instead of being cooped up indoors, you’re getting some fresh air. Views of plants, other folks, and whatever else is in your park! This assumes you stay in a warmer climate. If you live in a colder area, this is only possible at specific periods of the year. It’s time you get outdoor and start making things happen!

Fitness centers are part of the top ten amenities renters desire- this, according to a study by the National Apartment Association. Why? A fitness center in an apartment complex brings the gym closer to you. You can enjoy your workouts at a lower cost and with better space than in a local gym. Lastly, a fitness center is a socializing area. Are you exploring the apartment rental market? Here’s why you need to add a fitness center to your list of amenities?

Bringing the Resources Closer 

Renting an apartment with a fitness center brings gym resources closer to you. The treadmills, stair steppers, cross-trainers, and weights you need will be downstairs, or an elevator rides away. You can also hire a personal trainer for a few hours and bring them to the apartment’s fitness center. 

If you prefer to have your workouts very early or very late at night, the fitness center will be within your reach. In contrast, when using an externally operated gym, there’s a chance that you need to squeeze your workouts to specific hours. Time constraints can lower your motivation to stay fit. 

A fitness center within an apartment also makes it easier to commit to your workout regimen. Taking a bus or long walks to the gym can deter you from exercising. However, with the equipment close by, you can exercise throughout the year. It can be challenging to go to the gym in extreme heat and cold, but with a fitness center within a building, you’ll stay right on track. 

Lastly, renting an apartment with a fitness center means that you can move around with fewer items. You can avoid carrying your work clothes to the gym because you can go home to freshen up. All you need is your gym outfit, a towel, and water. 

Saving Time 

Renting an apartment complex with a fitness center will reduce the amount of time you consume traveling to the gym. Imagine if you need to walk for 20 minutes, or call a cab, ride a bike or catch the bus. 

Your time is important. Having your gym equipment 5 minutes away is incredibly convenient. Taking five minutes versus 20 minutes to the gym can be the difference between health and unfitness. You’ll feel more motivated to exercise when your workout equipment is close to you. 

Lower Membership Fees

Most apartment complexes have zero to extremely lower fees for annual gym fees. The fitness center is a renter’s perk. With this in mind, it will cost you less to exercise at an apartment fitness center. The best part is that if the fitness center is free, you can find free digital trainers to stay fit and spend no money at all.

Joining a gym means that you need to shell out a couple of dollars every month to access gym facilities. Gym membership fee averages between $40-$50 monthly and can add up to more than $800 annually when you add the initiation fee. If you miss out on some of your workouts, you’ll lose even more money. 

An indoor fitness center, on the other hand, may increase your overall apartment’s value by 5%. If you pay the amount annually, you will spend less on the fitness center. Also, you’re less likely to forget the payment deadline.  

Better Access To Equipment 

Signing up for local gym membership seems like a good idea until you realize that the entire neighborhood congregates there. While working out with people can be motivating, it can quickly become uncomfortable if the equipment is scarce. Imagine lining up to use the treadmill or using sweaty equipment? 

Overcrowded facilities are unsuitable for healthy workouts. Not only will your spirits dampen, but there is also an increased risk of accidents. Because space is limited, anyone can drop a dumbbell on your foot or fall back on you. The showers and changing rooms will also become unbearable. 

An apartment fitness center will have less crowding, giving you the comfort you need when working out. You’re also likely to bump into familiar people that you engage in a conversation with, rather than seeing new faces every day.

If you choose to use a digital trainer or download a fitness app, you can easily place your phone or tablet on the floor without worrying that someone might fall over. All your items will also stay safe and accessible to you in the lockers. 

Socialization 

Making new friends and sharing new experiences can be hectic sometimes. In between work, schedules, and classes, you may forget to talk to new people. However, the gym is a convenient location to meet your neighbors, and hopefully, forge new friendships. You can share your thoughts as you work out, and borrow a few workout tips from your neighbors.

Final Thoughts  

A fitness center is a shared space that helps you work out at a lower cost and with less time wastage and more convenience. You can also use the center to socialize and learn a few tricks from your neighbors. 

Back in March, when COVID-19 forced gyms to close their doors, we all quickly realized that wherever you lay your mat is the “gym.”. According to the media analytics firm Comscore, “March of 2020 saw a 147% increase over the prior year in on-demand fitness video consumption.” In June, YouTube announced that in the three months since March 15th, daily views of videos with “home workout” in the title rose 515%.”

These trends are expected to continue in 2021 as we continue to adapt and adjust to the new normal. This newfound appreciation for sweating at home will only become more entrenched in our daily lives as the year progresses.

Here are some fitness trends to watch in 2021…

• Online Fitness Classes Are Here to Stay!

Before the pandemic, we associated exercise with “going to the gym.” As we’ve changed our habits, digital workouts have become the norm, and this will continue in 2021. Brands are embracing an approach that gives users access to a variety of workouts, including live-streaming classes and on-demand libraries.

Companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon are developing their own offerings. Apple Fitness+, launching in 2021, will offer workout recommendations based on the intensity of your last workout. Matrix Fitness has partnered with Apple to connect the Apple watch to their treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes.

• Focus on Restorative Fitness

The self-care/mental health trend has been brought home by the sky-high stress levels of 2020. Restorative fitness like yoga, pilates, meditation, and stretching made it into the top ten for 2020. In 2021, expect the trend to continue as we all deal with managing ongoing pandemic stress!

• Wearable Technology

Wearable technology consists of smartwatches and fitness trackers and includes devices like heart rate monitors and GPS trackers like those used in cycling. Their accuracy and capabilities have expanded. Some even offer AI fitness solutions; others use VR games to promote fitness. The wearables trend is growing and is expected to be a top trend in 2021.

Digital / In-Person Hybrid

While digital workouts and classes are here to stay, it doesn’t mean “in-person” classes are obsolete. A recent survey of professionals found that 92% hope to return to the gym in 2021. Forty percent of respondents are planning on returning exclusively back to in-studio workouts when they feel it’s safe.

• Interactive Home Machines

Whether it’s strength training or cardio, we’re adding workout machines to our home gyms and dedicated workout rooms. Companies like Matrix are creating large-screen consoles for their treadmills, ClimbMills, and ellipticals that allow users to stream and view live entertainment, browse social media, and race through virtual mountain trails while working out.

• Well Equipped Home Gyms

The market for home gym accessories will continue to grow in 2021. Whether it’s dedicated machines for cardio and strength training, all-in-one gym units, or flooring and storage trees and racks, the market for home fitness items and accessories will grow in 2021.

Physical fitness is vital to our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Digital technology has helped us through the pandemic, but it can’t completely fill the void of connecting and exercising with friends and instructors in the gym.

As we work through the challenges of the pandemic, we’ll begin to see the growth of this new “hybrid” community of both in-person and digital offerings. We’re entering a phase where we will each decide what works best for us, and as a result, the companies and brands that will survive will seamlessly serve the client who craves the community that an in-person class offers but still needs to take online classes as well.

For more information about the trends of fitness in 2021, contact an Opti-Fit fitness professional.

There’s no denying that the past decade has seen major developments in fitness. But we expect more innovation and new trends in the coming decade.

Rowing Workout

A rowing machine works out multiple muscles improving your overall health. It’s low impact therefore suitable for all fitness levels and ages. It’s a piece of equipment that mimics the motion of a rowing boat, hence giving you a full-body workout.

It’s perfect for muscle building and toning, weight loss, and increasing stamina. This machine works out major muscle groups on your upper and lower body. Using a rowing machine gives you an excellent aerobic workout, which is great for your heart and lungs.

More Virtual Fitness Equipment

The virtual concept is expected to develop and expand in the coming year. Fitness equipment manufacturers are expected to develop more and diverse equipment with in-built virtual training concepts. This includes indoor cycles, x-trainers, and treadmills.

Currently, equipment such as treadmills have incorporated virtual reality immersing users into a virtual running experience by allowing them to run alongside a partner. This avails an assisted approach for those who need more motivation to stay focused.

High Tech Fitness Boutiques

These studios are expected to continue growing in 2020. They offer the luxury of holding sessions for smaller groups. Fitness professionals also specialize in particular exercises, thus increasing the chances of success.

High-tech fitness equipment designed to improve the efficacy of your workouts is widely available in these studios. This may include electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) suits, other machines, and wearables.

Working out in a boutique ensures that you get individual attention. Workouts can be designed depending on your individual needs. You also perform better when you are in a small group.

More Kickboxing

If you hate the monotony of cardio workouts, you may want to consider kickboxing in 2020. This is a more high-energy and motivating routine. This is a workout that combines martial arts techniques and heart-pumping cardio.

Whether you’re fitness geek or newbie, undertaking a kickboxing workout can help you burn calories, reduce stress, improve coordination, boost your energy, and give you better posture.

High-Intensity Low Impact Training (HILIT)

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is still quite popular. However, high-intensity low impact training is expected to gain more popularity in the coming year. It is a variation of HIIT that still gives you an intense workout, but is more gentle to the body.

The benefits of HIIT workouts are well-known and include boosting metabolism, high-calorie burn, and improving heart health. However, HIIT is physically taxing hence not suitable for people at all fitness levels and for those with health problems. HILIT still avails to you the benefits of a HIIT workout, but in a low impact environment that lessens stress on your joints and other body parts.

Customized Fitness Programs and Products

We have different bodies and are at different fitness levels; therefore fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all. You may love boxing, but Pilates may be a more effective option for you. This is why we expect more customization in fitness programs and products in the coming year.

Tailored fitness programs and products may cost you more but are more effective. This is quite beneficial for people with specific fitness needs since it would help them reach their fitness and health goals more easily.

Functional Training Rigs

Growing demand for functional training rigs such as climbing frames will make them more accessible in the coming year. With improved designs and availability in a range of sizes, functional training rigs allow users to have multiple workouts. You can lift weights, stretch, and climb in one space.

 

Just 10 years ago, the gym at an apartment complex consisted of free weights and a treadmill. The industry is changing to meet the needs of potential renters and that means bigger and better fitness centers with even more perks.

The New Fitness Centers

Today’s potential renter demands a better standard of living that includes connectivity and flexibility. Millennials, which are the bread and butter of rental communities, are looking for complexes that offer resort-like fitness amenities. They are non-traditional and tech-savvy and driven by engagement. To accommodate them, what was once a closet with some free weights is now the onsite fitness center. The fitness center is a large space with training areas with both cardio and strength equipment. There may be a seperate space for everything from fitness classes to yoga to meditation. As multi-family complexes have to compete more and more, they are finding ways to engage potential renters and a functional fitness center gives them an edge.

The Demand for High Tech

Many fitness centers focus on integrating technology into the fitness environment because of modern renters:

Adding high tech features takes fitness centers up a notch but what’s next?

The Wellness Center

The next step in multi-family housing is the wellness center. A survey conducted by the National Multifamily Housing Council found that 40 percent of respondents didn’t use the onsite fitness center because they wanted to work with a trainer. Management companies can look to bring in concierge trainers who are there on demand for residents. Respondents in the survey stated they also wanted virtual/on-demand classes and classes with instructors like yoga and high-intensity training.  Wellness centers are not fitness centers, though. They move beyond exercise to wellness amenities:

Related Midwest’s One Bennet Park tower in Chicago features:

The real estate industry is taking wellness by the horns to create luxury amenities for renters to the tune of 134 billion dollars. It’s not just a gym anymore. Today, multi-family rental communities are integrating wellness into their fitness centers to stay competitive.

For more information on multi-family fitness centers contact Opti-fit, 888-601-4350

Strength equipment is the heart and soul of any fitness center. Not all brands are created equally, though, Some have a well-deserved reputation as the top in the industry. Consider two that meet that standard.

Matrix Fitness

Matrix is a child company of Johnson Health Tech founded in 1975 by Peter Lo. Today, Matrix is an award-winning manufacturer of strength training products. In 2017, they won the FirtProf brand of the year award and in 2018, the Plus X Best Customer Satisfaction award.

Matrix Fitness offers both residential and commercial strength training equipment. They make single-station and multi-station products along with free weights, plate-loaded and accessories.

What Makes Matrix Stand Out?

It’s the intuitive design that puts Matrix strength equipment at the fore the front in the industry. There are five series and each comes with distinct features. The Ultra and Versa series offer ergonomic grips, for example. Aura, on the other hand, is known for its aesthetic designs and Urgo Form cushions. With the Magnum series, you’ll be impressed by the Breaker Benches which eliminating the need for assistance to break the bar.

Atlantis Fitness

For 35 plus years, Atlantis has been making only strength equipment. That singular focus has made them one of the best in the industry. The company was founded by Canadian bodybuilding champion Raymond Sansoucy and today it is Canada’s largest commercial strength equipment manufacturer.

There is a broad range of Atlantis strength equipment choices, most made with welded frames, heavy gauges of steel and high resistance levels. Each unit is designed to help you find the perfect blend.

What Makes Atlantis Stand Out?

Atlantis is known for its ergonomic designs and expert biomechanics. Their line is so extensive they list it by body part to make it easier to navigate.

The Atlantis’ Performance series offers sturdy machines that come with standard and heavy weight-stacks. The Power series features adjustability and user profiles. Natural Motion is made up of 12 units with enough freedom to allow the user to define their own path.

Each one of these companies manufacturer strength products designed to give you flexibility as you select your equipment.

For more information contact Opti-fit.

The smoother a multi-family fitness center runs the more value it offers. How do you get to that level, though? Programming your fitness center is about getting the most value out of it. Here are some suggestions.

Hire a Management Company

The organization is an absolute in the fitness industry but not that an easy thing to accomplish. A multi-family fitness center management company can help a several areas.  They can provide social programming, group exercise class, staffing and operational hours, pool operation and more.  These additional services will enhance the residence expierence and increease retention. The management company also understands the local regulations and how to follow them.

Personal Trainers

Why would someone consider joining a gym instead of using your fitness center? Two words: personal trainer. Once upon a time having a personal trainer was a luxury but today’s fitness consumer expects it.
Adding one or two personal trainers to a fitness center is just one more amenity that stands out. If they can save money and get the added benefit of a personal trainer, they will throw away the gym pass forever.
Consider partnering with personal trainers. They provide their clientele and use your space for the workout. They generate revenue for the business without adding to your labor costs.

Take it Online

Online apps like More Active , My Fitness Pal, Fitbit and more, provide fitness centers with everything they need for success in one place. Set residents, frequent travelers and center members up with a personal online fitness plan. They can access nutrition plans and workout guides, too.

Apps will offer business tools, as well, like website design and a full array of marketing tools. Set up an email campaign and center newsletter. Create class schedules and event notifications. Build plans for training and fitness that target your audience. Access a content management tool that will have you blogging in no time. While you are at it, create a new logo fo the center that makes the brand stand out and use it on all your marketing material.

Take a multifaceted approach to programming your fitness center try all three. Individually or in combination, they will give you what you need to build, run and grow your facility efficiently and effectively.

For more information concerning multi-family fitness centers contact your Opti-Fit professional near you.

The pool isn’t just about swimming anymore. A multi-family environment can introduce new amenities into the community by turning the pool into an aquatic gym. Water workouts are trending right now and promise to be something that will turn potential residents’ heads.

Flow Motion

They said it couldn’t be done. They were wrong. Make your next community yoga class one that happens in the pool with Flow Motion fitness mats. They are inflatable and easy to store. When in the water, the mat is stable enough to allow residents to workout doing sit-ups, yoga poses — whatever you would normally do on a yoga mat. FlowMotion also comes with teacher training and certifications as well as programs like:

Floaty fun while you exercise.

Spin Class in the Pool

Aquacycling is the newest water-based fitness craze. It takes the low-impact benefit of bike riding and adds the resistance that comes with moving underwater. The combination is a workout that is easy on the joints and won’t leave you with sore muscles the next day.

Water Workout Tools

Both the mat and the bike are an investment that any residential complex will find beneficial but if you were thinking about something smaller then water resistance training tools are a cost-effective option. Think kettlebell that goes in the pool. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For instance, the Push Plate by Speedo is an all-in-one workout tool that uses water resistance to build muscle. Speedo also offers the Hydroshredder that channels the water to provide the most resistance. You put one on each hand and push to turn the water into weights.

Aquatic

Of course, you could go old-school and offer Aquatic classes to the community. Aquatics is simply exercising in the water. Residents can learn to do everything from water walk to water dance. Aquatics is a good cardio workout that also uses water resistance to safely tone muscles. Today’s apartment dweller wants more, so put that pool to work and add more fitness options to your amenities.

Contact Opti-fit for additional information.

The key to filling up a fitness center with the right fitness equipment is finding a balance. Your goal is to consider what someone might look for in this particular fitness center. What are some things you should consider when buying fitness equipment?

Know Your Target User

The most important part of strategizing your fitness center inventory is your audience. If you cater to a younger group, focus on high-tech, state-of-the-art equipment. An older crowd will want user-friendly workout resources. One thing you do know is most people will look for cardio equipment and a strength training section first.

Block Out Your Space

Design for function based on your users’ needs. What should go near the front of the room and what should be near the windows, for example. Ask yourself what else your gym user might need. For example, do you want to make room for lockers, a water station, classes or personal training spaces? If you want the room to do more than hold equipment, plan on using 60 percent for actual exercise machines. Block out percentages for equipment space next. Do you want to divide the equipment area 50/50 for cardio and strength training or is it going to be more like 60/40? Older targeted users might want more strength training equipment than cardio.

Visualize Your Cardio

Now, block out the cardio section. This will allow you to visualize the types of equipment you want for each. For example, how much space do you have for treadmills and how many treadmills will fit into it.  If the answer is not many then maybe you want to consider a more diverse inventory of cardio equipment. Leave room for one or two treadmills and then figure out what you could put around them like ellipticals or steppers. Consider high-intensity equipment that takes up less room like an S-Force Performance Trainer if you plan to service younger people.

Visualize Your Strength Training Area

Free weights are a given, so figure out where they will go. Plan for one or more:

Diversity is the best policy when it comes to strength training equipment, so a multi-use station combined with targeted pieces for the core, legs and upper body makes sense. To find out more about what equipment works best for your target audience contact Opti-Fit at 888-601-4350 or info@opti-fit.com for a FREE consultation.

Healthy cities have healthy people that create a healthy economy. Obesity costs money directly and indirectly. Influencing people to want to take better care of themselves will lower costs, create a more vibrant population, and increase tourism.

The Cost of Obesity

Direct Costs

The direct costs of obesity are medical treatments and examinations that people receive directly due to their condition. This will cost the city when municipal workers are being treated for being overweight. It will also cost the city when people need emergency or ambulatory care due to their obesity and are unable to pay for it.

Indirect Costs

Insurance 

Insurance for the municipality will cost proportionally more the larger the number of obese people. Local businesses will also have to pay more in insurance costs, which is less money they have to put into their establishments and give their employees.

Wages

Wages in areas with large obese populations tend to be lower than in areas where more people are fit. This has to do with insurance costs as mentioned above, as well as lower overall productivity due to missed work and premature death.

Lost Work

Obese employees miss more work on average than employees that are not obese. They also use more short and long term disability. Overweight workers are also said to have higher rates of presenteeism, resulting in lower productivity.

As you can see, the costs of obesity are high to the entire population of any area. Municipalities with large populations of obese citizens should work to help the community become healthier. Doing so will increase productivity and juice up the economy in the medium to long-term.

Current costs are a concern, but another thing to keep in mind is that healthcare costs will continue to rise as they have been. Spending increased 3.9% over 2017 and 4.1% over the year of 2018. These are massive year over year cost increases. Can your city afford not to get healthy?

A healthy population will be less of a drain directly and indirectly on the wealth of a city. A healthy community can help a city to grow and attract more business than a population of people that are not taken care of. Think about the future and encourage health!

Contact Opti-Fit for more information about how they can help your city become healthier.