Slate.com has an interesting piece titled, “Fitness for foriegners” that details how people from different cultures tend to work out or get their exercise. What was interesting to me is how unique the indoor gym seems to be to industrialized countries like the US, and how common group and outdoor activities are in other countries. In fact, individuals from some countries claim to not exercise at all, but rather play badminton, cricket, or soccer for fun or when bored. I very much like the idea of including movement or exercise in one’s life without it feeling like a chore or an item on the to-do list.
Another idea that I really like is the outdoor gym. You might not imagine that a country like Sweden, which hosts temperatures close to freezing for most of year would think to build outdoor gyms. However, the people of Sweden are accustomed to socialized public health benefits, and providing low-cost, low-maintenance exercise equipment to the general public is a smart way to afford all people access to a gym. In any case, take a look at some of the pictures of the equipment in the park in Sodermalm here, here, here, here, here, and here. It looks stylish and functional and like something I would love to have at the park near my house. Perhaps, I’ll bring this up with my city council…