The Indian Express              24.06.2013  

NDMC brings gyms in open, to set up equipment in parks

The idea is to move out of confined spaces. express archive

Changing the way people in Delhi go through their exercise regime, the New Delhi Municipal Council is working on setting up gymnasiums in open parks. Assured that people prefer to work-out in open spaces, rather than the confined ones, council is experimenting with the gymnasiums in community parks.

This experiment has been initiated NDMC's own club-cum-institute — Palika Services Officers' Institute (PSOI).

This is first of its kind experiment in NDMC area where professional fitness equipment will be put up in parks to provide an outdoor gym to residents. Fitness equipment have been used by the members at PSOI too. The equipment placed in PSOI are a body-shaper, abs-shaper, back-shaper and shoulder-shaper.

The back-shaper works on shoulder, upper and lower back muscles and builds up torso, arm muscles and back shoulders. The shoulder-shaper develops and strengthens shoulder muscles. It also helps in reducing cervical problems.

Abs shaper works on entire abdomen and improves digestion and metabolism, whereas body-shaper increases leg strength and endurance level, an official said. "The gym in the open has received an overwhelming response from the members," the official said.

According to the official, the experiments has highlighted the need for a gym in the parks for people of all ages. "There are many who want to work-out, but dislike confined gyms or gyms in basement with loud music. There are senior citizens who want to use fitness equipment, but cannot go to gyms. There are children who are yet to develop the habit of working out. But we know that all these people go to parks and gardens and that is the reason why we are planning to put these equipment out in the open," the official said.

The equipment, officials said, do not require much maintenance and do not run on electricity. "These equipment are rugged and made for all weather. These are fixed in the ground, so security is not much of an issue. These equipment are mechanical and do not need electricity. Also, people can enjoy the morning or evening weather while working out," the official said.