EDUCATION - PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Outdoor Gym Opened by Olympian Rebekah Wilson
Smith Bridge Primary School in Rochdale wanted to improve an unusable area of land in their school grounds. The area was very muddy, grass wouldn’t grow well there, and it became very boggy during winter months. “The school had considered various options, such as extending the playground trim trail and covering it with additional wet pour however, having seen local schools had successfully installed an outdoor gym, we felt this was the best option. The school funded the gym using our allocated PE and Sport Premium” Gemma Baxendale, Office Manager.
Fresh Air Fitness supplied and installed a 6-piece outdoor gym from their Children’s KS1 & 2 range of equipment. The selection included pieces from the Cardio Range; Cardio Combi, Air Skier, Double Cross-Country Skier and Rider. These really elevate the heart rate, get the children moving and burning energy. They also build flexibility and strength in the arms, legs and core muscles.
Children used to regular physical activity can move at a faster pace on this equipment, while those who don’t, can move at a slower rate, building up stamina, fitness and speed overtime. The rest of the gym was made up of key pieces from the Strength range. An Arm and Pedal Bike and a Seated Leg Press, which develop whole body strength, tone, flexibility, balance and coordination. The 6-piece gym included many ‘double’ pieces, which allow children to use the equipment together, making the gym even more sociable. Overall, the gym provided 12 user stations allowing 12 children to use the gym at once.
Olympian Bobsleigh star Rebekah Wilson opened the gym and ran a training session, much to the delight and excitement of the children. “We are so grateful to Bex and Gareth for completing the training. Having a team GB athlete come into school and show us her medal she won at the Olympics was amazing. The children really enjoyed it and with Bex being a local as well really inspired the kids that if they train hard and focus it doesn’t matter where you come from you, can achieve your dreams”. Gemma Baxendale
Smithy Bridge Primary School headmaster Chris Crook said: “We are committed to the emotional and physical wellbeing of all of our pupils. Having an outdoor gym area will further complement the school’s range of facilities and services to ensure our children are happy, healthy and thriving. Following much research, we invited Fresh Air Fitness to our school and were impressed with their knowledge and passion. The range of equipment suited both our younger and older children”. “The children are excited and very curious about the new gym equipment and keen to further develop their skills. They are also looking forward to the competitive element when of using the outdoor gym.”
“The children absolutely love it, they literally race to use it before school, breaks and after school has finished. They find it so much fun”. Gemma Baxendale, “If anyone was thinking about installing and outdoor gym, I’d say absolutely go for it. It’s a great way to use your PE and Sport Premium but more importantly it gets the children active, but they also enjoy it”.
The children absolutely love it, they literally race to use it before school, breaks and after school has finished. They find it so much fun
GEMMA BAXENDALE, SMITHY BRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
If anyone was thinking about installing and outdoor gym, I’d say absolutely go for it. It’s a great way to use your PE and Sport Premium but more importantly it gets the children active, but they also enjoy it
GEMMA BAXENDALE, SMITHY BRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
We are committed to the emotional and physical wellbeing of all of our pupils. Having an outdoor gym area will further complement the school’s range of facilities and services to ensure our children are happy, healthy and thriving
CHRIS CROOK, HEADTEACHER, SMITHY BRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
