An open-air gymnasium and a workout zone were inaugurated in the Eco Urban Village complex in New Town’s Action Area II on Friday.
The gymnasium has been set up after a survey on residents revealed they wanted to work out in an open space because of the pandemic, an official of Hidco, which has installed the machines, said.
The gym is built along the lines of callisthenics parks and outdoor fitness stations, popular in South Korea, Europe and Australia, the Hidco official said.
The park has a bunch of fitness equipment — including an aerial stroller, sit-up station, standing waist twister, double big shoulder wheel, chest and shoulder press exercise set-ups, and a ski walker.
Every machine has a label explaining which body part/s would benefit from it. Debashis Sen, the chairman and managing director of Hidco, said Hidco made it a point to have equipment that don’t require a trainer.
“All the equipment are placed in such a way that distancing rules are maintained. Visitors will be asked to clean and wipe every equipment after use,” he said.
People will have to pay Rs 10 a day to access the open-air gym. They can work out for as long as they like, the official said.
Smriti Agarwal who lives in a nearby complex said she was a regular at the Eco Urban Village where she would jog or go for morning walks. “I jog and do freehand exercises in the park. I can’t wait to try these machines tomorrow morning. This is a great addition to the park.”
A couple of years ago, Hidco had installed gym equipment at bus stops across all three action areas. But they hadn’t proved too popular. People mostly used them as seats while waiting for buses, an official said.