Outdoor exercise circuit installed at City Centre Park
A woman jogs up to the back press workout station, completes a few reps and runs off.
That would be a normal sight in a gym, but this is outside next to the ponds at City Centre Park in Langford.
A nine-station “Health Beat” exercise circuit has been in place for a week, and residents are slowly discovering the free workout gear. The setup joins a growing number outdoor exercise circuits — 13 in B.C. including Sidney and Oak Bay.
“I first saw this in Whistler. We have no problem stealing good ideas,” joked Coun. Lanny Seaton, chair of Langford parks and recreation. “It’s all part of making healthy communities.”
A number of stations are bars for pull-ups or pushups, or steps for aerobics, with no moving parts. Others, such as the cardio stepper and back press and leg lift, are tensioned through weather-proofed hydraulics.
“It’s nice and something different. It will get people outside and exercising,” said Mike Leskiw, Langford parks manager.
The $50,000 exercise circuit is part of a $1.4 million federal-provincial grant that helped finance the Goudy turf field, the field house and trails. Langford also chipped in one-third, $688,000, for the project.
Ultimately the trail loop at City Centre Park will connect with the greater network of trails in Langford, Leskiw said, allowing residents in any part of the city to employ the exercise stations as part of their running routine.
The nine workout stations on five pads are open for use and can be found between Bear Mountain Stadium and Goudy field off Langford Parkway.
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