VIJAYAWADA: Buoyed by the response of residents of Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh Urban Green and Beautification Corporation Limited (UGBCL) in collaboration with Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) have planned to open three more air gymnasiums soon.
According to the civic body officials, Vijayawada’s first open air gymnansium was inaugurated in Kutumba Rao Park in Vivekananda Nagar on September 2, 2017. It was built at a cost of `24 lakh.
A similar facility was also inaugurated at Dr KL Rao Park in Chitti Nagar, and one at Rajiv Nagar area of the city, which evoked good response from the locals.
The VMC mooted the concept to keep the residents, especially women and senior citizens, have a healthy lifestyle.
“With demand from locals increasing for open air gyms, since January the corporation has been conducting a survey to identify viable locations to expand the presence of open air gyms in the city. The officials said that he areas identified are — Urmila Subbarao Nagar, Bhavanipuram and APIIC Colony,” VMC assistant director for horticulture K Pradeep Kumar said. The open gyms have basic equipment worth of `10 lakh that include fitness bikes, air walkers, sit-up benches, waist and shoulder twisters, chest press, leg stretchers and leg press and many more.
All machines are weather-proof and are clamped onto concrete slabs across rubberised tiles, making it impossible to move the equipment manually, he said. Kumar added that the residents should extend their support in handling the equipment with proper care.
Speaking to TNIE on Saturday, APUGBCL zonal manager Y Rama Rao said three more open gymns are planned in the city, following the public response.