Are you ready? with Leigh Elder

Outdoor exercising areas are becoming a popular trend all around the world, in places like parks, and on coastal walks and other recreational areas.

The equipment is modern, streamlined and very user-friendly with easy to follow instructional signage.

There is something for all levels of fitness and strength, including assisted pull-ups, dip bars, shoulder presses, triceps and biceps curls, lat pulldowns, a balance beam and other agility type equipment.

It would be great to see similar areas developed around The Mount and Tauranga, as it's such a brilliant way to add cross-training elements to any walk or run.

Gyms can be a bit intimidating for some people, and this outdoor gym concept gives a real feeling of freedom; and its free, with no lycra in sight.

I sometimes stop during a walk and do a few chins and dips on the bars in the Beresford Park children's playground area; I often imagine how great it would be if there was a dedicated exercising area next to this.

Often there are a number of mums and dads there with children; they could fit in a casual workout while entertaining the kids.

We work closely with exercise physiologist and diabetic researcher Monique Francois, and our learning's with her have totally emphasised the need to ‘use it or lose it,' by being physically active and finding ways to add as much movement as possible to our daily lives.

In tandem with balanced nutrition habits, it's a great recipe for having a healthy weight and life.

Have you got any ideas or offers on how to get local outdoor exercising areas set up? Contact Leigh at leigh@eatforkeeps.com or call 027 294 1980.

That's it from me for the year, thanks for all the feedback and interest and have a great festive season.