I’m back to my playground workouts

I’ve dipped into this over the years with varying degrees of success. sometimes it’s just me working out. Other times the kids get involved.

These days, as my older boys are not of park ages, my girls still enjoy the park and generally play independently.

It gives me an opportunity to spend a bit of time away from screens and doing something for me. These days parents/carers tend to sit staring into their phone, and I’m doing my best to avoid that.

My goal is for at least 45 minutes of movement.

The easiest way to do this is to simply walk, generally in circles. I normally listen to an ebook or a podcast. I often get interesting looks too. 🫠

The next level up is to view the play equipment as exercise equipment.

Benches, poles, fences are all great support equipment for strength training, yoga type exercises, or for plyometrics (this is a new discovery to me, plyometrics, or "jump training," are high-intensity, explosive exercises designed to increase power, speed, and strength by leveraging the stretch-shortening cycle of muscles.)

Overall, I get bored at parks. And I’m a sucker for efficiency. My kids get out, I get to do exercise and I generally get some time to listen to something that fills my brain with goodness.

I do think there’s a missed opportunity with park design. Parents should have access to exercise things too. If it were up to me, every playground should have callisthenic bars. They are safe and versatile enough for everyone to use. And let’s face it, most parents need encouragement and opportunities to weave in exercise at any given opportunity.

It definitely helps my overall fitness and well being, it’s also nice to lie down afterwards and appreciate the sky view.