Authors | Jaime Ramos, Elvira Esparza

Is keeping fit a contemporary fashion? Not really. Although it may seem that way, sports and physical activity dates back various millennia and its origin is related to the emergence of cities. At the time it was also deemed to be a key aspect of the health and wellbeing of citizens.

Greek polies integrated spaces for sport over 2,500 years ago. Today, it may seem incredible that these facilities had their own regulations or the figure of professional and public trainers, the gymnasiarchs.

Urban gymnasium or how to get fit in the city

Curiously, it was not until recent decades that cities adapted in order to integrate sport into the public arena. If in the 20th century it served to consolidate a series of sporting specialties aligned around a specific industry, the cities of today aspire to filter private interests and increase the health of the population as a public service.

This is the context in which urban gyms have reemerged. It is a network of infrastructures that cities implement heterogeneously through parks, specific facilities or by designing infrastructures that favor activity.

Why is it important to add sports spaces

Urban gyms fulfil various functions. However, above all of these, is the battle among a physically active or inactive population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity causes around 600,000 premature deaths per year in Europe and an accumulated loss of 5.3 million years of healthy life years in quantitative terms.

To address the impacts of sedentary lifestyles, the WHO recommends that each person engage in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous activity.

The agency indicates that activating the population constitutes an incalculable value for health and transport; it increases economic productivity and the level of satisfaction of the population and revitalizes neighborhoods by improving social cohesion.

Furniture as an instrument to create urban gyms

When developing genuinely urban sports spaces, planning by incorporating smart furniture comes into play. Various studies confirm that outdoor gyms in green urban spaces encourage people to engage in physical activity, helping to combat sedentary lifestyles and obesity. Furthermore, because these spaces are freely accessible, they attract a wide range of individuals who might not otherwise participate in physical activity.

The most popular physical activity in urban gyms is walking, as it requires no special training and has well-documented health benefits.

Open-air gyms have been shown to enhance both physical health-by increasing muscle strength and flexibility-and mental health, by reducing stress and depression through increased social interaction. The main drawback of urban gyms is that users need to understand how to use the gym equipment properly to gain the maximum benefits.

Calisthenic parks

Calisthenic parks have become increasingly popular in recent years. They consist of simple structures, “personal swings”, designed by experts to get the most out of exercise through one’s own weight.

They offer a window of physical health to the older population. Therefore, cities such as San Antonio (United States), give a special meaning to what are known as fitness stations. The municipal corporation is so committed to them that it has commissioned 35 videos to be recorded and published explaining how they work (starring the former NBA player Antonio Daniels).

Fitness cubes

Fitness cubes are multifunctional, mobile gyms installed outdoors to facilitate a variety of sports activities. They are inspired by Los Angeles’s Muscle Beach, an iconic open-air gym in Venice Beach dedicated to bodybuilding, which has become a renowned tourist destination for enthusiasts of the sport. Fitness cubes are available in numerous Spanish cities, including Valencia, Alicante, and Madrid, where users can participate in training programs free of charge under the supervision of professional trainers.

Sports programs

City councils in some cities are implementing sports programs designed to engage the entire population.

In Barcelona, the Actívate en los parques (Get Active in the Parks) program promotes physical activities such as tai chi and chi kung in parks and gardens throughout the city, free of charge and year-round, except in August.

In Madrid, the Deporte en la calle (Sports in the street) program includes cycling, running, Nordic walking, parkour, kayaking and triathlon programs with free 90- minute sessions, aimed at the entire population. These activities take place in the parks and green spaces across the city’s various districts, aiming to reduce the problems associated with sedentary lifestyles and make physical activity more accessible to everyone.

Initiatives implemented by primary healthcare services, in collaboration with city councils, are also available to promote healthy lifestyle habits. Doctors prescribe physical exercise as complementary treatment, with training sessions supervised by sports professionals. Free outdoor physical activities, such as hiking, tai chi, and Nordic walking, are offered primarily for older adults.

Fitness and running clubs

Additional sports activities can also be enjoyed in city streets and outdoor spaces.

November Project is a fitness movement that began in Boston in 2001 and has extended to over 50 cities in different countries worldwide to promote street workouts. Free morning group sessions are organized, offering a variety of activities-such as running, sit-ups, and burpees-with the goal of keeping participants active regardless of the weather. In fact, the initiative began in winter to encourage physical activity, build social connections, and promote sports.

In Hong Kong, running clubs cater to different interests: some are formed by professionals aiming to improve their technique and race speed, while others focus on fostering social connections and sharing experiences. Participation in running clubs increased after the pandemic, recording a 59% increase last year, according to a report by Strava. Most of these running clubs offer training programs to help members achieve specific goals, and organize group runs on a weekly or biweekly basis.

The sporting aspect of urban infrastructure

Cities try to encourage physical activity through their infrastructures. They no longer simply want to install sports facilities, but rather transform existing spaces. Parks or green areas have become essential spaces for runners or hikers.

Likewise, reconverting streets and urban accesses has become essential in order to integrate other forms of transport such as bicycles or PMV, or permanent spaces, such as skate parks or climbing walls.

A perfect example of this is cycling in Copenhagen. The city has spent 150 million dollars in the last ten years on cycling infrastructures, which includes the construction of over a dozen bridges. In exchange, they estimate annual savings of 261 million dollars in health costs.

Just as the Greek gymnasiums fulfilled a fundamental mission for the Hellenistic society, green spaces and the commitment to creating outdoor sports areas can replicate its benefits in modern cities, improving the resilience of society through a less aggressive urbanism, a commitment to health and more decongested health services.

Images | iStock/ Михаил Руденко, iStock/tifonimages, iStock/ Ivanko_Brnjakovic, iStock/Marcus Millo