Riverview's latest fitness trend combines a fitness club workout with enjoyment of the outdoors, and it's all free

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by Hanne Armstrong
This Week Staff

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Another feather in Riverview's cap appeared in the middle of September, in the form of 12 fitness machines placed along the trail running adjacent to the Superstore.

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Stacey Merrigan/This Week

This brightly coloured outdoor equpment was purchased by the Parks and Recreation Department to encourage Riverview residents to get active.

"This is a first for Atlantic Canada, and a first in Canada for the newer, CSA-approved Green Gym equipment," enthuses Program Co-ordinator for Parks and Recreation, Gina McNeil.

The municipality purchased the rugged equipment directly from China, where the idea of permanent outdoor exercise machines was born.

The machines are set up in four groups of three, the equipment in each group geared towards a particular type of conditioning: upper body, lower body, core and cardio. There are instructions on each piece.

"The equipment is made of metal, and has a special weather-proof coating," says Gina. "It's rugged, and should be able to withstand a lot.

The weather-proof coating may be causing some confusion, however. The bright colours can give the impression both to children and parents that this is children's playground equipment. This is definitely not the case.

It is adult gym equipment, built for adult-sized bodies, and can pose a danger to children.

Adult supervision is required when people aged 12 to 16 are on the equipment, and people under 12 should not be using it at all.

"I've worked out in gyms many times," says eager Green Gym user Cynthia McLachlin, "but there's something about working outdoors in the fresh air, with the birds and the ducks around.

"It's so much fun, I think I've missed maybe three days of using the equipment since it went up."

And it's free. No gym fees, no music unless you bring your mp3 player, no crowds. Just you, the machine you're on, and the trail surroundings.

"It's a totally different experience," Cynthia continues. "I smile, I laugh, I meet other people who feel the same way about it. It's absolutely fabulous."

To access this free outdoor gym equipment, just leave your car in the Superstore parking lot, and walk to the nearby trail. Or make the Green Gym part of a longer walk along the trail system.

Cars are not permitted to park on the trail itself, or on the access to the causeway, but there's lots of space in the Superstore lot, and there are lots of other places to leave your vehicle if you're out walking.

The Riverview Jean Coutu walking group is thinking about making the Green Gym part of their walking regime, and Gina reports often seeing adults of all ages using the equipment.

"It's a great free alternative to joining a gym," she says. "I've used it myself, but it's not part of my regular routine yet."

It's definitely part of Cynthia's routine. The first time she tried it, the experience was such a pleasure that she was on the machines for four hours.

"If there's a down-side," she says, "it's that you can't adjust the intensity, add more weight, etc. But you still get a great workout."

Another potential downside to the Riverview Green Gym is the nature of New Brunswick winters. The trail will be ploughed until snow reaches a certain height, but after that skis and show-shoes will be the way to get around.

And when that happens, the gym machines will be locked, their moveable parts immobilized. That is the plan, for the present at least.

In the meantime, until the snow lies thick on the ground, why not try the outdoor air walker, elliptical or rowing machines, or some other of the pieces that make up the Green Gym?

Healthy and active living has never been so accessible, and, according to Cynthia, so much fun, before.