Building an outdoor gym is a complex endeavor. Once you’ve determined the footprint and laid the foundation for your gym, it’s time to begin selecting equipment. While traditional commercial gym equipment supports only a single user at a time, outdoor fitness equipment introduces a new variable: multi-station equipment. These single structures support workouts for anywhere from two to eight people simultaneously. For outdoor gyms with limited space or those with heavy traffic, they’re an ideal choice.
Read on to learn all about multi-station vs single-station equipment and learn which is the better choice for your outdoor gym.
How Many Stations Does a Site Need?
When building your outdoor gym, it’s important to consider whether you need single stations, pieces of equipment built for one single exercise, or multi-stations, equipment designed for multiple exercises in a single piece of equipment.
To determine whether your outdoor gym needs multi-stations vs. single stations, there’s really just one thing to consider: how many people are likely to use the equipment at the busiest time of day. As a general rule, if you anticipate more than 5 people using your site at once, multi-station units are a better choice.
Rather than making a guess, observe things like:
- How many people generally use your facility at its busiest hour
- How many people pass through the space
For slower outdoor gyms, single stations spread across the site work well. People can use different pieces of equipment at once, without needing to wait on one another. Plus, single stations are easier to fit in small spaces.
For busier gyms, multi-stations are a must. They enable several people to work out at the same time in each area of the gym. Exercisers can rotate through a single piece of multi-station equipment, then move on to the next station, creating a natural traffic flow.
Other things to consider include:
- Cost per person served: Multi-stations have a lower cost per person served, since each piece of equipment supports multiple people at once.
- Footprint: For gyms extremely limited on space, a single piece of multi-station equipment may actually be better. It supports many exercises in a single, compact footprint.
- Staff supervision: If your outdoor gym is staffed, a single piece of multi-use equipment can be easier to monitor than multiple single stations.
Upper Body Equipment: Pull-Up, Dip, and Press Stations
Upper-body equipment in outdoor fitness spaces trains on movements like pulling your body weight up, pressing it away from you, and holding your body weight steady. These exercises work the back, shoulders, chest, and arms. Good equipment choices include:
- Single-station: Pull up bars support pull-ups and hangs, while parallel bars support dips, too. A chest-press adds a seated, beginner-friendly option that uses bodyweight to train the same set of muscles.
- Multi-station: A pull-up and dip station supports both exercises for two users at once, whereas a double dip station enables two users to practice dips simultaneously and is accessible to people of differing heights. A combo row & tricep pushdown works the upper back, shoulders, and arms on one side, while strengthening and toning triceps on the other.
Cardio Equipment: Air Walkers, Ellipticals, Bikes, and Rowers
Cardio equipment tends to be the easiest for total beginners to use without instruction. It promotes better endurance and elevates the heart rate, providing a great start to any workout. When assessing multi-station vs. single station cardio equipment, there isn’t a determination that needs to be made. Cardio equipment can only safely support a single person at a time.
Consider adding these pieces of cardio equipment to your outdoor gym:
- Air strider: A smooth, low-impact cardio workout that exercises both the upper and lower body at once with a cross-country skiing motion.
- Air walker: Another low-impact option that provides a cardio workout while improving leg and hip flexibility.
- Exercise bike: This stationary bike exercises the legs and arms while burning calories and boosting endurance. A couple minutes on the exercise bike is a great start to any workout.
Lower Body Equipment: Squat Press, Leg Press, and Leg Extensions
Lower-body equipment is often overlooked when setting up an outdoor gym, but it’s a necessary inclusion. Leg strength improves balance, endurance, and the ability to get up from a seated position, all particularly important in aging communities. Include these in your outdoor gym:
- Single-station: Leg extensions target the front of the thigh and build strength in the muscles that support the knee. Squat presses work the legs and glutes in a pressing motion.
- Multi-station: A dual leg press is a more beginner-friendly alternative to a squat press machine. It enables two users to work the legs and glutes at once, the same set of muscles targeted by a squat press,
Balance and Core Equipment
While upper and lower-body fitness equipment trains strength, balance and core equipment trains stability and control. These skills are important for anyone, but are particularly useful to aging populations and those recovering from an injury. There are plenty of options for training each, like:
- Single-station: A balance beam trains posture and coordination, while a sit-up bench provides a core workout while providing more lower-back support than a traditional floor sit-up.
- Multi-station: The two-person rotator improves back and hip flexibility while strengthening the core. It can be used for a variety of exercises, including sitting and standing twists.
Modular Equipment
In outdoor gyms with limited space, look for a single piece of equipment that does it all. Modular equipment supports a full-body workout for multiple users simultaneously. Find stations that target the upper body, lower body, and core in a compact footprint.
Accessible Equipment
Outdoor gyms shouldn’t only serve able-bodied people. Whether you’re building a public fitness space in a park or an outdoor gym at a school or senior community, it’s essential to provide fitness opportunities for people with limited mobility.
An accessible mult-gym is the perfect solution. This multi-station equipment allows up to four people to workout at once and is designed to be wheelchair accessible.
Source Durable Multi-Station and Single Station Equipment from TriActive USA
Determining the types of equipment to source for your outdoor gym is just one piece of the puzzle. As important is sourcing equipment that’s built to last.
Outdoor gyms put more strain on fitness equipment, due to their harsher conditions, constant exposure, and unsupervised use. To optimize the longevity of your equipment, choose multi-station and single station equipment from TriActive USA. Our equipment is constructed from heavy-gauge welded steel with powder coating to protect against sun, rain, snow, and salt spray. Its simple design is durable and tamper-resistant. That means less maintenance, fewer repairs, and better results for your gym.
