Page 20 - Home Garden Decorator 7 - Northshore

designed for outdoor use and
OUTDOOR GYM highly-usable look professional, these can
Two to three
be expensive. Prices for a
BUILD YOUR OWN stations provide pull up bar alone range from
$300 to $700.
opportunity for
A good alternative is
FIT TRAIL a wide variety of a DIY fit trail. Doing it
exercises:
yourself will not only save
money, but will result in a
fit trail that looks less like
EXERCISE BAR playground equipment and
BY ANJA SPRINGTHORPE Pull-ups, chin ups, leg raises, the more part of your garden.
bar lets you exercise upper body
and core muscles. An exercise Most of us already have a
e all understand that keeping active is bar with adjustable heights allows bench somewhere in the
an important part of life, supporting for even more exercise options. yard which is a great start.
health and longevity. But not everyone Kids have fun too, developing Adding one or two DIY
Wlikes grinding out workouts in the gym strength and coordination. stations, plus a spot for a
or paying expensive membership fees at health clubs. rubber mat to do plank
The solution may literally lay at our door steps. BENCH exercises and stretches,
An increasing number of people recognize that Similar to benches in gyms, fit delivers all you need for that
trail benches provide the basis
gardens are an ideal spot for exercise. Being outdoors for endless exercises, targeting all full body workout.
in combination with ease of accessibility – no drive areas of the body. Decline push- The internet offers
to the gym – makes a private “mini” fit trail a great ups, triceps dips or single leg dips many great tutorials how to
choice for workouts. are just a few examples. build a customized fit trail
Fit trails started to appear in public parks during in line with your budget or
the 1960s. Aimed to improve good health, these trails BALANCE BEAM exercise needs. Ask friends
included different stations facilitating exercises for the These are not just a great idea to help you build the trail.
lower body, upper body, balance and coordination. for children to practice balance, Pay them with free time in
but an essential part of any fit
A garden fit trail can achieve exactly the same. trail design. Lunges, squats and your outdoor gym for a fun
There are many options to purchase a wide range of a variety of core exercises can be reason to get everybody
fit trail equipment. Whilst such products are specifically completed on a balance beam. into the spirit of outdoor
workouts.

Adding one

or two DIY

stations, plus

a spot for a
rubber mat

to do plank

exercises and

stretches,
delivers all

you need for

that full body

workout.

20 home garden DECORATOR