I have taken one of my granddaughters to a couple of children’s playgrounds recently where she has had great fun on a swing. She’s not quite 12 months old and therefore we used the type where the child is held securely by a wooden bar. There were other swings nearby for the use of older children and I rather fancied having ago on one of those myself, but a wish to preserve my dignity prevailed.
With this in mind, I was interested to read that a Senior Playground was officially opened in Hyde Park on 19th May. It contains six items of equipment to provide gentle forms of exercise for the over-60s. These include a cross-trainer, an exercise bike, a bench for sit-ups, a walking machine and two machines for improving flexibility. Alas, no swings. The hope is that older people will use the facility not only for exercise and a bit of fun, but also to socialise. Although it is intended for retired people, only the under-15s are specifically barred from using it. I suspect that vanity will deter younger adults from doing so.
Although this is the first such facility in London, one opened in Manchester in February 2008. The trend was apparently started in China and Japan. The photograph with this blog is of an outdoor gym for senior citizensa in Beijing.
There are, in addition, an increasing number of outdoor gyms to be found in public parks in various locations in the UK. There is nothing to stop older people from using those, other than possibly their level of fitness.
Anything that encourages older people to exercise is to be welcomed. There is a growing amount of research that indicates that regular exercise is beneficial not only for one’s physical health and fitness but also for one’s mental health. See also my blog of 22nd January 2008 entitled Physical exercise during retirement.
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