Gym in the park

Mar 6 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE Kirklees area is to be among the first in the country to get an ‘outdoor gym’.

The move follows cash support from the council’s Dewsbury Area Committee for Dewsbury.

Committee chairman Clr Eric Firth said that if the plan to provide equipment next to the children’s play area in Crow Nest Park was successful he hoped to get support to spread the idea across other parts of Dewsbury.

After that he would promote the idea among colleagues in other areas of Kirklees.

He added: “The aim is to get adults and older people more active, but the equipment will be open for use by the whole community.

“What could be better for parents and grandparents than getting themselves some exercise while their children enjoy the play equipment in the same immediate area of the park?

“It is all part of encouraging people of all ages to keep fit and healthy.

“I hope coaches from some of the local sports teams might see the benefits of using the equipment as part of training sessions for their players.”

Clr Firth first came across the ‘outdoor gym’ concept while visiting Germany.

He has also seen it in other countries.

He said: “This will certainly be a ‘first’ in Kirklees and I hope to spread the word to other council colleagues up and down the country.”

The equipment – the Steve Backley Legacy Gym – will be provided by the Great Outdoor Gym Company.

It is hoped that the former Olympic javelin star – who more recently featured in television’s Dancing on Ice programme – will be able to come and officially open the gym.

The equipment should be installed by mid-March.

Clr Firth added: “It would be great if Steve Backley could visit Dewsbury to give this scheme a lift.

“He is a role model for young people, particularly following his recent exertions in switching to try his hand – and feet – on the ice rink.”

The Dewsbury outdoor gym will be among the first five to be provided and installed in the UK during the spring.

The Great Outdoor Gym Company is the only company in the world to meet stringent European Union safety standards for this type of equipment.

Georgie Tarrant, the company’s managing director, said: “It’s great to be working with Clr Firth and Kirklees in pioneering a free and safe outdoor fitness club for people of all ages to keep fit.”