Inclusive Outdoor Gym Equipment For Everybody | Staffordshire

Transforming Blythe Bridge Recreation Ground into a Community Fitness Hub

Located at the heart of Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent, the recently enhanced Blythe Bridge Recreation Ground now features an exceptional community outdoor gym installation, tailored to support healthy lifestyles for all age groups and ability levels. This flagship project was delivered by Sunshine Gym in 2023, as part of a £48,000 investment to enrich the area’s green spaces with inclusive and durable fitness solutions.

Set within 7.3 acres of lush, open space, the recreation ground offers local residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy nature while taking advantage of expertly designed gym equipment. The site’s transformation not only strengthens the area’s reputation as a welcoming community destination but also contributes to the broader aims of improving public health and outdoor activity access across Staffordshire.

Heritage and Community at the Core of Blythe Bridge

Named after the historic stone bridge that spans the River Blythe, Blythe Bridge is a well-established settlement with roots in the late 18th century. Nestled within the borough of Staffordshire, and including the historic village of Forsbrook—recorded in the Domesday Book—the area boasts a strong sense of identity and community pride. The redevelopment of Blythe Bridge Recreation Ground aligns with this heritage, offering modern amenities while respecting the area’s character.

This investment provides a new focal point for outdoor activity near Blythe Bridge Station, offering a practical and health-conscious amenity within walking distance of the transport hub. The installation also complements other landscaping in Blythe Bridge by enhancing the natural terrain with purpose-built health and wellbeing infrastructure.

A Full-Body Outdoor Gym Experience: Equipment Overview

The outdoor gym at Blythe Bridge has been purposefully designed to provide a diverse and balanced workout experience. Whether users are looking for low-impact mobility exercises, cardio, or strength training, the equipment selection encourages healthy movement in an accessible, outdoor setting.

Cardiovascular and Mobility Boosters

At the centre of this initiative is the Activ8 Multi Gym, an eight-user system offering a wide range of functional fitness options. It includes:

• Children’s Double Health Walker
  
  

• Double Slalom Skier
  
  

• Double Waist Twister
  
  

• Arm Bicycle
  
  

• Tai Chi Discs

This multi-station unit supports communal exercise and promotes intergenerational use, encouraging families and groups to exercise together.

For individual cardiovascular workouts, equipment like the Double Sky Stepper is a standout piece, providing a dynamic step-based motion that activates joints and elevates heart rates without placing stress on the knees—perfect for warm-ups, active recovery or daily activity.

Strength and Conditioning Stations

Incorporating both resistance and bodyweight-based training, the following stations add structure to more advanced workouts:

• Combi Pull Down Challenger & Power Push: Emulating traditional chest press and lat pulldown movements, this piece serves as a gentle introduction to upper body resistance training, particularly for those new to strength exercises.
  
  

• Twist n Step, Rower, and Arm & Pedal Bicycle: These offer compound movements that engage multiple muscle groups, improving both cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength.
  
  

• Parallel Rails and Double Pull Up: These support a variety of functional bodyweight exercises, from dips to leg raises, ideal for users looking to improve core stability and upper body power.
  
  

• Double Sit Up Bench and Double Squat Push: Great for targeting the lower body and abdominal regions, these are staples for any balanced workout regimen.
  
  

An Endurance Multi Rig has also been installed to accommodate bespoke calisthenics and functional fitness routines. This modular rig offers bodyweight resistance training tailored to each individual’s fitness level, making it ideal for progressive strength building and agility-focused workouts.

Accessibility and Inclusivity at the Forefront

One of the key aims of the project was to ensure that the outdoor gym in Blythe Bridge could serve every member of the community. As such, inclusive outdoor gym equipment was prioritised during the design and installation process. The following pieces were selected to support users with different mobility levels:

• Double Hand Bike with Chair
  
  

• Inclusive Double Arm Extension
  
  

These enable gentle yet effective upper body movements, increasing energy, enhancing joint flexibility, and supporting bone health. Crucially, these inclusive units foster independence and help build confidence for users who may not feel comfortable in a traditional indoor gym environment.

Enhancing Landscape and Infrastructure at Blythe Bridge

As part of the installation, the gym was sensitively integrated into a grassed area of Blythe Bridge Recreation Ground, preserving the natural surroundings while introducing high-utility infrastructure. To protect the landscape and ensure year-round usability, Grass Mats were installed beneath each piece of equipment. These mats mitigate wear and tear, prevent mud build-up in high-traffic zones, and help maintain a clean, safe environment during wetter months.

This commitment to sustainable landscaping in Blythe Bridge reinforces Sunshine Gym’s position as a provider that balances health-focused innovation with environmental responsibility.

Supporting Health & Wellbeing in Stoke-on-Trent

This outdoor gym project is a major step forward in enhancing health and wellbeing opportunities across Stoke-on-Trent. As demand grows for outdoor recreation areas that encourage movement, this case study highlights how local authorities and stakeholders can invest in future-proof, accessible fitness environments through a well-planned community outdoor gym installation.

The investment in Blythe Bridge Recreation Ground meets a clear public need—providing open-access, inclusive, and engaging facilities that serve residents and visitors alike. It complements the area’s long-standing community values and supports the growing focus on preventative health, particularly through regular outdoor activity.

The Double Sky Stepper is a popular piece which get the joints moving and the heart rate up.

The Twist n Step, Rower and Arm & Pedal Bicycle offer a full-body workout while the Combi Pull Down Challenger & Power Push is a gentle introduction to upper body training, following the same movements as the chest press and pull down offered in a traditional indoor gym.

The Parallel Rails and Double Pull Up can accommodate more advanced movements such as dips and leg raises, and the Double Sit Up Bench also features at Blythe Bridge alongside the Double Squat Push.

As part of the equipment, our Activ8 Multi Gym takes centre stage. With stations for eight users, it incorporates a Children’s Double Health Walker, Double Slalom Skier, Double Waist Twister, Arm Bicycle and Tai Chi Discs.

The outdoor gym also features inclusive equipment that is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Our Double Hand Bike with Chair and Inclusive Double Arm Extension help to increase energy levels and strengthen bones and muscles.

An Endurance Multi Rig was also installed to provide a perfect balance between bodyweight resistance exercises, allowing each person to create their own unique workout to improve overall fitness.

The whole outdoor gym area was created on a grassed area, with our Grass Mats included in the installation to reduce wear and tear on the ground and protect people from a build-up of mud around the area during the winter months.

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