There’s nothing worse than an outdoor gym with a poor mix of equipment. Build a gym with three pull-up bars and an overhead press, but no lower body machines, and you’ll end up with a gym that no one visits.
Instead of selecting and laying out your outdoor gym at random, think “outdoor exercise stations.” These groupings of exercise equipment are each designed to target a different set of muscles, enabling a full-body workout for every gym-goer and a better flow throughout your space.
Let’s cover why outdoor exercise stations work best, as well as the key stations to include in your outdoor gym and best pieces of equipment for each.
Why Group Equipment in Outdoor Exercise Stations?
Rather than randomly dispersing gym equipment throughout your outdoor exercise space, group equipment into outdoor exercise stations. There are plenty of reasons this setup works better:
- More complete workouts: When you cluster equipment together, gym-goers have an easier time getting in a complete workout. They’ll quickly learn which machines target which muscle groups and won’t need as much direction or help.
- Better flow: When you disperse machinery randomly, you leave people moving back and forth throughout the space trying to get from one piece of machinery to the next. By grouping them, you create a more intuitive flow. People can spend a concentrated amount of time in a single area, then move on to the next.
- Keeps equipment organized: If your gym has loose equipment like bands or barbells, creating outdoor exercise stations grouped around different types of equipment ensures it stays in one place, rather than being randomly strewn about the gym.
Back and Arms
Pulling exercises target the lats, upper back, biceps, and forearms, the muscles you use to pull your bodyweight up or toward you. Most gyms include upper body machines with cables and weights to target these muscles, but in outdoor exercise spaces, these types of machines simply aren’t practical.
Instead, install the following to create accessible outdoor exercise stations for all experience levels:
- Pull-up and dip station: These simple pieces of equipment enable pull-ups, dips, and other exercises that target those pulling muscles. They’re a great choice for experienced gym-goers who want an upper body workout that uses their bodyweight as resistance.
- Seated lat pull: Rather than a full bodyweight pull-up, the seated lat pull-down trains the same muscles with less resistance. It’s a great way for gym-goers to work the back and arms, without needing enough upper body strength to lift their entire bodyweight off the ground.
Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps
Pushing exercises like presses and pushups work the rest of the upper body: chest, triceps, and the front of the shoulders. For your outdoor exercise stations, use the following equipment in place of a bench press:
- Seated chest press: For those who aren’t advanced enough to do a pushup, a chest press is a great replacement. This machine primarily targets the chest and triceps. Again, bodyweight is the primary resistance here.
- Overhead shoulder press: To work the shoulders, include an overhead press. Rather than pushing out, the overhead press pushes up.
- Combo press and pull: If you only have the space for one upper body station, choose the combo press and pull. It’s a chest press and a lat pull back to back, allowing for a complete upper body workout in a small footprint.
Abs and Core
Situps are among the best exercises to target the abdominals and obliques, but unsupported situps on hard ground can put extra stress on the lower back. Plus, who wants to lay down on the dirt? Instead, install these machines in your outdoor exercise station for core exercises:
- Sit-up bench: This freestanding bench provides an elevated surface on which to do sit ups. On less crowded days, it can also be used to stretch, practice pushups, or simply have a seat.
- Sit-up board: For a more accessible ab workout, include a situp board. The incline surface supports the back and anchors the feet for added stability.
Lower Back and Glutes
To target the back of the torso, including your lower back and glutes, practice extension exercises that hinge backward at the waist. The best outdoor exercise equipment for extensions is the back extension, which anchors the feet and allows for forward and backward hinges. In addition to working the lower back and torso, these exercises can improve posture and reduce back pain.
If you don’t have the space for a solo back and glute station, group this in with your sit-up boards and benches for a complete torso workout.
Quads and Hamstrings
Quad and hamstring workouts are accessible to a wide range of fitness levels. While lunges and squats will get the job done, a few key pieces of outdoor exercise equipment round out an outdoor exercise station for leg day:
- Leg press and leg extension: Works the quads, hamstrings, and glutes through a pressing motion, again with bodyweight as resistance.
- Squat press: Exercises the same muscle group, but adds in a core workout for greater stability.
Cardio
Not every outdoor exercise station targets a specific muscle. Some are designed for endurance, rather than for strength. In many outdoor gyms, cardio stations are the most popular, as they require little to no technique to get in a great workout.
- Air walker and air strider: Both of these machines offer a low-impact striding workout that offers a comparable workout to running, without the joint strain.
- Elliptical cross trainer: Provides a full-body workout by adding in arm movement as well as leg motion.
- Exercise bike: For a more accessible cardio workout, the exercise bike provides seated support and requires less balance.
Balance and Coordination
Speaking of balance, it’s an important part of a complete workout. People of all ages can benefit from improved balance and coordination, but it’s particularly beneficial for those who are aging or recovering from a recent injury. Install these pieces of equipment in your balance and coordination outdoor exercise station:
- Balance beam: You may associate balance beams with children’ s gymnastics classes, but they’re a great addition to your outdoor gym. They train control, posture, and coordination.
- Tai chi spinners: These spinners provide a rotational, low-impact mobility workout that improves coordination while remaining totally accessible.
Source High-Quality, Outdoor Fitness Equipment from Triactive USA
A well-designed outdoor gym includes outdoor exercise stations for the major muscle groups, enabling a complete and balanced workout for people of all ages. Be sure to include at least one piece of equipment from each of these groups in your gym for the most benefit to your community.
For durable outdoor exercise equipment that lasts, choose TriActive USA. Our equipment is made in the USA from high-gauge steel and powder-coated to resist weather and salt spray. Contact us today to get started.
