The Vision
Askern Town Council sought to enhance community fitness opportunities by installing a dedicated outdoor gym at Askern Lake. The goal was to provide a free-to-use, full-body workout space that would allow residents of all ages and abilities to exercise outdoors in a natural setting.
The council wanted low-maintenance, durable fitness equipment that could withstand outdoor conditions while offering diverse exercise options to support cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility.
The Solution
Caloo worked closely with Askern Town Council to design and install an inclusive outdoor gym, featuring a range of fitness stations that cater to different abilities and exercise goals.
Key installations included:
- Back Massager – promoting relaxation and muscle recovery.
- Body Rotator – encouraging core strength and flexibility.
- Tai Chi Wheel – supporting gentle movement and hand coordination.
- Cycle – offering low-impact cardiovascular exercise.
- Cross Rider – improving balance and core stability.
- Air Walker – simulating walking or jogging for endurance training.
- Skier – providing full-body engagement through a lateral movement workout.
- Grass Matting (fire-resistant) – ensuring durability and safety underfoot.
As the gym was installed within a public park, careful planning was required to preserve the natural surroundings. Each piece of equipment was positioned at least 25 metres away from any trees, ensuring minimal disruption to the landscape while maintaining a visually appealing and functional layout.
The Impact
The outdoor gym has been a resounding success, offering a free, accessible, and engaging fitness space for the local community.
- Community engagement was high from the start, with the council organising an opening weekend event, where personal trainers demonstrated the equipment’s use.
- The project received local media coverage from the Doncaster Free Press, boosting awareness and encouraging participation.
- The gym is now in constant use, with residents of all ages benefiting from the new fitness space.
“Since the installation in late April, the equipment is in constant use by both young and old, plus all those in between. It has been well used by the community and is a valuable addition to our facilities. We cannot thank Caloo enough for all their guidance and hard work behind the scenes to get this project up and running.”
– Councillor John McLaughlin, Askern Town Council
With its prime location by the lake, diverse equipment, and strong community engagement, this outdoor gym is set to enhance fitness and well-being in Askern for years to come.