Park Life using a park’s natural environment & outdoor equipment to create a fun & inclusive workout

Description

Park Life is an engaging physical activity sessions catering for adults over 50. This 45 minute class takes place twice a week and requires no equipment. Instead, the experienced tutor leverages the park’s natural environment and outdoor equipment to create a fun and inclusive workout. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or new to exercise, this programme accommodates all fitness levels, promoting strength, flexibility, and balance. Park Life enables people to connect with nature, and foster a vibrant community spirit.

Aim of Initiative

Promote an Active Lifestyle: Encouraging participants to embrace regular physical activity to enhance overall health and well-being.

Improve Physical Fitness: Enhancing strength, flexibility, and balance through varied exercises tailored to accommodate all fitness levels.

Utilize Natural Environment: Leveraging the park’s natural surroundings and outdoor equipment to create a dynamic and enjoyable workout experience.

Foster Inclusivity: Creating a welcoming environment where individuals, regardless of their fitness background, can participate and feel comfortable.

Encourage Community Engagement: Providing an opportunity for participants to connect with others, thereby fostering a sense of community and social interaction.

Enhance Mental Well-being: Offering a setting that promotes mental health through physical activity, connection with nature, and socializing with peers.

By participating in these sessions, individuals can work towards a healthier lifestyle, enjoy the benefits of being outdoors, and build a supportive community network.

Who is it aimed at

Adults 50+ years of all different fitness levels and abilities

3 Steps critical to success

1. Identifying a suitable location that is accessible to all. The facility needs to be close to public transport links and have a safe and suitable carpark for those who prefer to drive. It is imperative that a safety check is done prior to all sessions to ensure there are no hazards around the grounds.
2. Finding the right tutor is critical when developing this programme. The tutor needs to be knowledgeable in the delivery of strength, balance and flexibility exercise but also needs to be able to adapt and modify exercise to suit the needs of the group. The tutor needs to encourage and motivate the group and provide feedback on how they are getting on.
3. The programme cost participants €20 for 16 sessions which works out at €1.25 per session. It is important that a small cost is attached to the programme but it is kept low to ensure all can attend.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. The weather – it is an outdoor programme and sometimes the weather can put people off attending. Some parks have bandstands or sheltered areas which can be used as an exercise location. For those that don’t it can be difficult to do classes when the weather is extremely bad.
2. Getting men involved – 95% of participants are female. This programme is advertised for men and women but it is mainly women who sign up. This is a challenge across a lot of programmes and something that we are looking to address.
3. The demand for the programme is high but we only have a certain number of tutors, budget etc. It is important that we spread this programme out across the city and county to ensure that we have meeting as many people as possible

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. This programme has run in 4 locations over 2 years and after each programme participants have set up their own groups to continue the sessions themselves. The programme has given people the knowledge and confidence to continue to exercise themselves thus making it self sustainable.
2. A number of participants have reported positive outcomes regarding their own personal strength, balance and flexibility. Some have shared stories of how they can know carry their own shopping or climb up the steep hill going from Ballybunnion beach to the carpark. One participant who is 86 has stated that she takes part in the programme so she can stay out of a nursing home and hold on to her independence for as long as possible
3. A large number of participants have joined additional programmes that the Limerick Sports Partnership offers across the city and county and have gone from exercising one/two times a week to exercising 5 times. Many have made new social connections and have found new friends who enjoy exercising together.