News

New Outdoor Gym opens at the YMCA Community and Activity Centre

02/07/2024

The YMCA Community and Activity Village, on Lord Hawke Way, Newark, has officially opened its outdoor strength and conditioning gym with the aim of encouraging health and wellbeing in an open-air environment.

The unique new fitness area provides a setting where individuals can engage in cardio, strength training, and functional workouts, and is designed to allow users to break free from the confines of a traditional indoor gyms.

The creation of the £120,000 outdoor fitness space containing equipment supplied by Indigo Fitness has been made possible with funding from FCC CommunitiesFoundation and match funding from the applicants.

The new space also features specialist wheelchair-accessible calisthenics equipment, making it an inclusive space for users of all abilities to engage in physical fitness and wellbeing.

Steffen Benbow, executive director at YMCA Newark and Sherwood, and Michael McKeever, chairman of the board, cut the ribbon to officially inaugurate the new space.

Nathaniel Soderberg, the YMCA’s Health and Sports Manager at the YMCA emphasised the gym’s potential to positively impact the health and wellness of the community. He said: “The gym is not a place to punish yourself but a place to build yourself up.

“I believe that whatever you do in the gym should maximize your life outside of it and being part of a fitness community can add years to your life.

“I’m passionate about helping people see the gym as an exciting part of a healthy lifestyle.”

Students from the Newark Air and Space Institute have also been able to make use of the space and try out the new facility.

In a statement the YMCA said it was proud to offer the new facility, and remains dedicated to fostering a healthier and more active community through innovative facilities and programmes, with accessible and engaging exercise options for all.

Pictured below are students from the Lincoln College Group - Air & Space Institute using the equipment as part of their training for the aviation industry.