Modern outdoor gyms located directly on the beach or on the seaside boulevard, have appeared in Gdynia, Kołobrzeg and Międzyzdroje,. The project has been initiated by Benefit Systems, the operator of MultiSport cards. Its aim is to activate both city residents and tourists. The facilities are now open, and training is completely free and available to everyone.
Outdoor gyms with equipment like those used by people exercising in fitness clubs have appeared in Gdynia, Kołobrzeg and Międzyzdroje. Both tourists and residents can use multifunctional devices, chest and shoulder press machines, squat and deadlift devices, barbell with variable load, pull-down machine, back muscles training device, pullover machine, leg extensor and foot press. Thanks to such a variety of equipment, they can effectively train all muscle groups while enjoying the seaside climate.
–– Creating outdoor gyms is the next step in activating society in the summer. Maintaining a consistent level of activity throughout the year is extremely important not only from a physical health, but also from a mental health perspective. This is confirmed by our research. According to the MultiSport Index 2023 report, 95% of physically active Poles believe that regular physical activity has a positive impact on their wellbeing, while 89% of them claim that it reduces stress and bad emotions. We are glad that we could build our outdoor gyms in popular seaside resorts that enjoy unflagging popularity among tourists – says Emilia Rogalewicz, Management Board Member at Benefit Systems, the creator of MultiSport cards.
Sports trainer Agata Brama, who pays particular attention to the impact of exercise on mental condition, spoke about the importance of regular physical activity.
– The biochemical effect of physical activity includes an increase in the concentration of endorphins and dopamine in the blood as well as support for the synthesis of serotonin or even melatonin, which is one of the strongest antioxidants in our body and has a strong anti-cancer and neuroprotective effect. Moreover, regular strength training supports the prefrontal cortex, i.e. the brain structure responsible for logical and rational thinking, therefore physical activity translates into better emotional control – says Agata Brama, MultiSport sports coach.
The expert emphasises that, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation, adults should perform at least 150-300 minutes of moderate or 75-150 minutes of intense physical activity per week. Despite these recommendations, one in three Poles does not undertake any physical activity, even once a month (MultiSport Index 2023).
Piotr Czyżewski, MultiSport sports coach, encourages not only young people, but also all seniors relaxing at the seaside, to strength training: – Numerous scientific studies prove that strength training reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems and lowers blood pressure. It also supports metabolism through increased energy expenditure, and thus facilitates body weight control. Additionally, it reduces the risk of osteoporosis and falls, which is particularly important for older people. It also helps to inhibit or slow down sarcopenia, which is the natural process of loss of muscle mass associated with age. All this contributes to maintaining physical fitness and independence in old age.
Outdoor gyms are one of the initiatives of Benefit Systems, the aim of which is to encourage an active lifestyle all year round. The creators of sports cards, which are already used by 1.5 million people in Poland, have also created a special gamification called Summer Game, under which the company awards prizes for systematic training and visiting various types of sports facilities, both outdoor and traditional, throughout Poland. An important element of the game is the ability to support the company’s volunteer program, thanks to which points collected by users are converted by Benefit Systems into real financial support for selected foundations.
– We create initiatives that motivate people to spend time actively but also connect them around sports ideas. Our goal is not only to promote a healthy lifestyle, but also to build a community centred around common interests. We believe that our outdoor gyms in Gdynia, Kołobrzeg and Międzyzdroje will become an important place for meetings and joint training on the Baltic Sea. For many people, this may be not only a way to improve their psychophysical condition, but also a chance to make new friends and be inspired to lead a more active lifestyle – summarises Emilia Rogalewicz
The MultiSport outdoor gyms (Kołobrzeg, Międzyzdroje, Gdynia) can be used until 15 October 2024.
The exact locations of outdoor gyms, as well as instructions on how to use individual equipment, are available on the website: https://www.kartamultisport.pl/silownie-plenerowe