Take a tour of Peterborough’s first adult outdoor gym

Located at Beavermead Park, construction is complete with ribbon-cutting coming soon

By Bruce Head -
Published
Construction is complete on Peterborough's first adult outdoor gym in Beavermead Park. The project has been funded with contributions of $25,000 from each of the Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha and the Rotary Club of Peterborough and $40,000 from the City of Peterborough. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Construction is complete on Peterborough's first adult outdoor gym in Beavermead Park. The project has been funded with contributions of $25,000 from each of the Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha and the Rotary Club of Peterborough and $40,000 from the City of Peterborough. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

Just in time for summer, construction of Peterborough’s first adult outdoor gym at Beavermead Park is now complete — although finishing touches still need to be added.

The gym is located in the northwest corner of the park, adjacent to the beach and near the volleyball courts and the children’s playground.

The Rotary Outdoor Adult Gym is located in the northwest corner of Beavermead Park, near the volleyball courts and the beach. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
The Rotary Outdoor Adult Gym is located in the northwest corner of Beavermead Park, near the volleyball courts and the beach. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
While all the outdoor gym equipment has been installed and is functional some finishing touches including landscaping are required before the gym will officially open. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
While all the outdoor gym equipment has been installed and is functional some finishing touches including landscaping are required before the gym will officially open. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

The placement of the gym right next to Little Lake should offer a nice breeze for those working out, and then access to the water for a cool-off swim.

The gym’s equipment was installed by Brantford-based company New World Park Solutions Inc., the Canadian supplier of the American outdoor fitness equipment company Playworld.

The LifeTrail Advanced Wellness System station, designed for adults 50 and over, features Proprioceptive Neuromuscolar Facilitation (PNF) exercises, and tricep strength and torso stability exercises. (Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
The LifeTrail Advanced Wellness System station, designed for adults 50 and over, features Proprioceptive Neuromuscolar Facilitation (PNF) exercises, and tricep strength and torso stability exercises. (Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
One of the LifeTrail stations is wheelchair accessible and offers upper body cycling, shoulder stability and abdominal strength exercises, and Proprioceptive Neuromuscolar Facilitation (PNF) and leg extension exercises. (Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
One of the LifeTrail stations is wheelchair accessible and offers upper body cycling, shoulder stability and abdominal strength exercises, and Proprioceptive Neuromuscolar Facilitation (PNF) and leg extension exercises. (Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
The LifeTrail stations include upper-body cycling exercises, inverted row and core exercises, and push-up exercises.(Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
The LifeTrail stations include upper-body cycling exercises, inverted row and core exercises, and push-up exercises.(Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

The gym includes several products from Playworld different product lines, including the LifeTrail Advanced Wellness System, Energi, and Stretch & Go.

While the gym is intended for use by all adults, the LifeTrail equipment was specifically designed for adults 50 and over, and is focused upon functional fitness, helping you to maintain or improve your ability to perform everyday activities.

With the Shoulder Slide, you use the handles on the disks rotate them inwards or outwards to work the muscles in your shoulders and upper back. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
With the Shoulder Slide, you use the handles on the disks rotate them inwards or outwards to work the muscles in your shoulders and upper back. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
With this piece of equipment, you step into the "U", hold a slider in each hand, and then slide from sides to front. The range of motion depends on where you stand. Turn around to work the back muscles. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
With this piece of equipment, you step into the “U”, hold a slider in each hand, and then slide from sides to front. The range of motion depends on where you stand. Turn around to work the back muscles. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
With the Twister, you step up onto the disk, hold onto the bar, and twist your torso from side to side, stetching the lower back and your oblique muscles. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
With the Twister, you step up onto the disk, hold onto the bar, and twist your torso from side to side, stetching the lower back and your oblique muscles. (Photo: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

There are different fitness stations with several types of exercises, as well as standalone equipment such as a recumbent bike. The gym includes a fitness station that can accommodate wheelchairs, making it fully accessible for persons with disabilities.

Work on the project began in May. People are already testing out the equipment, even though some finishing touches such as an accessibility ramp and landscaping need to be completed. Once that work is complete, there will be an official ribbon-cutting ceremony. The grand opening is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 13th.

First announced in June 2017, the project has been funded with contributions of $25,000 from each of the Rotary Club of Peterborough-Kawartha and the Rotary Club of Peterborough and $40,000 from the City of Peterborough.

Equipment for lower-body cycling exercises, a switch glider, and a recumbent bike that's ergonomically friendly for lower back. (Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
Equipment for lower-body cycling exercises, a switch glider, and a recumbent bike that’s ergonomically friendly for lower back. (Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
The Energi stations offer both power step exercises and agility step exercises. Each piece of equipment comes with visual instructions for use, the number of calories burned within a specific time, a QR code for more information, the muscle groups affected by the exercise, and any age and height restrictions. (Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)
The Energi stations offer both power step exercises and agility step exercises. Each piece of equipment comes with visual instructions for use, the number of calories burned within a specific time, a QR code for more information, the muscle groups affected by the exercise, and any age and height restrictions. (Photos: Bruce Head / kawarthaNOW.com)

RECENT STORIESMORE FROM AUTHOR