WORKING out in some of the Valley’s parks is now even easier for residents hoping to get a health boost.
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Children, adults, community groups, sports teams and individuals have the chance to limber up and enjoy the outdoors in the new sports and fitness areas in the Nambucca.
The area’s first ‘outdoor gym’ at Macksville was unveiled at a grand opening on Thursday - and it is now one of three in the Valley alongside similar projects at Bellwood Park at Nambucca Heads and Valla Beach’s Anderson Park.
It’s all part of a push by the Nambucca Shire Council’s Healthy Communities coordinator Naj Hadzic (and council) to help residents embrace an active and healthy lifestyle.
“The turnout at the opening was great and really inspiring, especially with the younger generation being there and learning how to use the equipment properly,” Naj told the Guardian.
“It’s public space and it’s there free for the whole community to use. Hopefully we can inspire and motivate each other to improve our health and fitness and enjoy living a healthy lifestyle.
“We have the perfect place for it.”
Already many from local neighbourhoods have taken advantage of the new equipment, saying the convenient and central locations make exercise easy.
“The instruction boards are good because they show you how to use each piece and what to aim for as a beginner, or if you’re fit, how to maintain your fitness level,” said one.
“The pieces might look simple but using them properly is a challenge which is great, especially if you work out a routine,” said another.
Thanks to a grant received from the Government under the Healthy Communities initiative, Nambucca Shire Council has been able to build the stations to inspire positive health outcomes for the community.
“The goal is that we help to usher in a fitness culture so more people get out and lead healthy lifestyles,” Naj said.
“The outdoor exercise site (Macksville) complements the existing sporting field and will hopefully encourage those who are just starting or getting back into exercise. It gives clubs, team, groups and individuals who are training another option, and those who are just starting out an easy access point.
“The budget for this part of the Healthy Living project was determined by the funding body. The three sites had a total budget of about $50,000 which includes the durable equipment, under surface and the path at Macksville. In addition to this, Valla Beach Community Group contributed funds to the Anderson Park site and council undertook some of the preparation works.”
The stations are a mixture of equipment that can be used to carry out a range of exercises, from arm-toning to leg and core work.
“Hopefully we can build on these sites with additional equipment in other areas,” Naj said. “The outdoor exercise hubs promote healthy living and complement the walkways and cycle paths, and provide a free exercise option.”