6 or 60, everyone's fit under open skies
BENGALURU: Open gyms seem to have created a new definition of fitness in the city. People from across age groups can be seen working out in the open.
In an effort to encourage healthy living among the city’s residents, four years ago, the gyms were opened by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Pallike in association with a private company.
There are open gyms at M N Krishnarao Park in Basavangudi, Tippasandra, Ulsoor and also at Sankey Tank in Sadashivanagar.
The open gym in Sadashivanagar came up first in the city in 2012. MLA Dr C N Ashwath Narayan says, “It has received good response. People get to exercise the way they want to.”
But the MLA says that there needs to be some awareness about the equipment and maybe regulars can help them out. “New users need to know how to use them but the people who go regularly can always guide them. There are people all the time. These gyms
can also help build a community spirit,” he adds.
“The equipment is user-friendly. It is easy to learn how to use them,” says Sonia Dutta, a resident of Coles Park.
She says, “It is free of cost. You get to do exercises in the midst of Nature and breathe fresh air rather than exercising in the closed rooms of a gym.”
But this open gym is open only to women.
The gyms work according to the timings of the parks.