Community Activated Outdoor Gyms: Transforming Public Spaces for Wellbeing
By Georgie Delaney MBE, Founder of The Great Outdoor Gym Company
Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking with parish and town councils across the UK about a concept that has been my passion for the past 18 years: community activated outdoor gyms. As an MBE recipient nominated by the Department of Business and Trade for my work in manufacturing and exporting fitness solutions to over 40 countries, I'm dedicated to making fitness accessible to everyone while creating vibrant community spaces.
The Rich History of Outdoor Fitness
Outdoor gyms started in Greek times and they used to workout naked! Gymnos means naked. Whilst the Greeks were all about the body, fast forward to where The Great outdoor gym company is today we are about unity and mental health whilst also benefitting from the Greek traditions of Calisthenics.‘
The outdoor gym movement evolved through European military training in Germany and Sweden, before becoming widespread in China during the 1990s as part of their preparation for the Beijing Olympics. That's where I first encountered the concept while working at Sport England on the London 2012 Olympic bid. Inspired by what I saw, I pitched the idea to the CEO who encouraged me to set up my own business. Fast forward to today, and outdoor gyms have become a global trend with profound impacts on communities worldwide.
The Two Major Wins of Outdoor Gyms
In our 3,000+ installations across 40 countries, we've observed two significant positive outcomes:
1. Movement Medicine
Exercise is now widely recognised as a "wonder drug" by medical professionals. In Faversham, we partnered with Keston Physio to design a gym explicitly for movement medicine programs. For three years, they've run weekly "Healthy Hearts" and "Move Type 2" sessions with remarkable results.
These programs don't just improve physical health - they create social connections that benefit mental wellbeing too. During one of my visits, I witnessed a participant receiving birthday gifts from the group, illustrating how these spaces foster genuine community bonds. The combination of movement, social connection, and being in nature creates a powerful formula for holistic health.
2. The Rise of Calisthenics
Calisthenics, derived from the Greek words "kalos" (beauty) and "sthenos" (strength), has experienced explosive growth, particularly among young people. This bodyweight exercise discipline focuses on movements like pull-ups, dips, and various strength holds similar to yoga but using bars and rings.
The pandemic accelerated this trend as people moved their workouts outdoors. Our sponsored athletes like Michael from Tower Hamlet have built huge social media followings demonstrating these techniques at our installations. The transformation of spaces like Burgess Park near the Aylesbury estate in London shows how these gyms can create safe, positive environments in challenging areas.
Transforming Spaces, Transforming Lives
What's particularly inspiring is how calisthenics has created inclusive, wholesome communities. These spaces become free from alcohol and drugs, focused entirely on fitness and mutual support across demographics.
The Community Activation Model
Installing equipment is just the beginning. True success comes from community activation - a model we've developed through years of experimentation and refinement.
At Southall, one of Sport England's local delivery pilots, we not only designed the gyms with community input but trained 40 local residents to run activities. These "activators" appear on digital screens at the gyms and in our app, creating a sense of ownership that has dramatically increased engagement to an average of 1,500 uses per gym per month.
Introducing Our New App: TGO Activate
This summer, we're launching TGO Activate, a community-powered app designed to support councils, fitness professionals, and residents in activating outdoor gyms. The app transforms outdoor fitness spaces into thriving community hubs driven by local people.
Here's how it works:
- Community users can book classes and explore sessions at their local gym
- Local residents can become "activators" by leading sessions (with proper vetting)
- Sessions can be free or paid, creating economic opportunities
- The app integrates with social media for easy sharing and promotion
The benefits include boosting the local economy, enhancing gym usage, enabling volunteering, and providing a platform for diverse activities from calisthenics meetups to movement medicine classes.
Getting Started with Your Own Community Gym
If you're considering creating an outdoor gym in your community, here are my key recommendations:
Equipment Selection:
- A calisthenics rig as the centerpiece (extremely versatile and popular)
- Traditional gym equipment for inclusivity (chest press, seated row, etc.)
- Consider weights stations for broader appeal
- Budget range: £20,000-£80,000 depending on size and features
Flooring:
- Wet pour surfacing is optimal (though more expensive than alternatives)
- Provides versatility for floor exercises and creates a more appealing space
- Critical fall heights of 1.2m should be considered for safety
Installation Process:
- UK manufacturing with 4-6 week lead times for rigs
- Installation takes about 2 weeks
- We provide trainers and activators to help launch your gym
- Summer installations still possible for 2025 if ordered soon
Success Stories That Inspire
The impact of these installations goes beyond physical health. In Burgess Park, a shipping container serves as storage for equipment that local activators use for free community sessions. When I visited recently, I saw people of all demographics enjoying the space together - a true testament to the power of thoughtful design and community engagement.
In Cambridge, I recently worked out with my 13-year-old godson, teaching him calisthenics moves he'd seen online. The gym was bustling with families, calisthenics enthusiasts, beginners, and people of all ages - precisely the inclusive atmosphere we aim to create.
Looking Forward: The Future of Community Fitness
As we continue to develop our community activation model with partners like Ealing and Southall, we're focused on breaking down barriers to entry in the sports economy. Our outdoor gyms aren't just places to boost physical and mental health - they're platforms for prosperity, creating opportunities for local fitness entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Working with local physiotherapists and GPs, these spaces can deliver structured movement medicine programs addressing conditions from cardiac health issues to diabetes. They represent an inclusive, affordable platform for delivering physical activity as preventative healthcare.
The future of outdoor fitness lies in community ownership, technological integration, and inclusive design. By bringing together these elements, we can create spaces that truly serve everyone - from teenagers discovering calisthenics to older adults benefiting from targeted movement programs.
Join the Movement
Whether you represent a large town or a small village, there's an outdoor gym solution that can work for your community. The key is finding the right equipment mix, creating an appealing space, and embracing the community activation model.
I'd love to help you bring these benefits to your community. Together, we can activate public spaces in ways that boost health, foster connection, and create vibrant community hubs for generations to come.
Watch the Full Webinar
Did you find this information helpful? There's much more to learn about implementing successful outdoor gym spaces in your community! I invite you to watch the complete webinar recording on YouTube where I go into greater detail about equipment options, funding approaches, community activation strategies, and answer specific questions from council representatives.
The webinar includes additional case studies, practical demonstrations of our app functionality, and valuable insights from councils who have already implemented successful outdoor gym projects. Whether you're just beginning to explore the concept or ready to move forward with implementation, the full presentation will provide you with comprehensive guidance.
Click here to watch the full "Community Activated Outdoor Gyms" webinar on YouTube
Managing playground and outdoor gym equipment inspections shouldn't be complicated. Civic.ly helps parish and town councils stay on top of health and safety regulations and insurance requirements with automated scheduling for routine, operational, and annual inspections.
With Civic.ly, you can:
- Schedule and track inspections automatically
- Document equipment condition with photos
- Generate compliance reports instantly
- Set maintenance reminders
- Use AI to categorise playground and gym assets
Keep your community safe and compliant. Visit Civic.ly to streamline your playground and outdoor equipment management.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.