A new exercise area has opened to the public in Cardiff’s Victoria Park.
Complete with pull up bars, leg lifts, dip benches, tyre flips and jumping blocks, the new fitness area will allow visitors to the park to take their workout regime to the next level.
The low maintenance equipment is designed to encourage people of all ages and abilities to try calisthenics. It can be used for free by individuals and by group classes of up to 20-30 people at a time.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Outdoor exercise areas like this mean there’s no need to book a class or even pay for a gym membership. That ability to just turn up and exercise, especially in such beautiful surroundings, will help encourage even more people to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of exercise.”
Local resident and personal trainer, Becky Adams, said: “Calisthenics is a really inclusive, accessible sport. It’s a real passion of mine and to see a park like this is a real joy.”
Chris Flynn, who runs fitness classes in the park, said: “Calisthenics is one of the fastest growing sports in Europe, it’s just reintroducing basic movement patterns, so we go into later life being able to reach above our head, so we can bend down to pick up shopping without slipping a disk. That’s what calisthenics is about. It’s free, and this gym will be here in 25 years, it’s robust, and I’m really excited to put it to use, and hopefully when people see us doing it, it’s just such an open environment, they’ll come and get involved.”
Other sport and leisure facilities in the Grade II listed park include tennis courts, beach volleyball and a multi-use games area, as well as a children’s play area and a splash pad.
The park is one of twenty Cardiff Council managed parks and green spaces to be recognised with a prestigious Green Flag.
