The vertical press, primarily a shoulder and arm exercise, allows two people to exercise simultaneously. The apparatus allows users to lift variable amounts of their own body weight. The equipment offers a great range of exertion, from jocks testing their strength to seniors looking for moderate resistance exercise. The four-person leg press (background) is among the equipment that facilitates social interaction, motivates group exercise and lets friends and acquaintances chat while they work out.

 

The Palomares Academy's outdoor fitness zone in Pomona, Calif., has 16 Greenfields Outdoor Fitness units, and can accommodate at least 30 people at one time. Students use it during school hours, but after school it is open to the community to use at will.

The two-person "ski' is not only fun but provides a great stretch for the legs and even a light cardiovascular workout. The social aspect of the ski makes it a popular choice.

"Ellipticals" are popular low-impact gym pieces for building leg strength and stamina and improving cardiovascular endurance. One advantage of outdoor workouts is the sun's rays turns a chemical in your skin into vitamin D3, which is carried to your liver, then your kidneys to transform it to active vitamin D. Among the benefits of vitamin D is facilitating normal immune system function, regulating the absorption of calcium (for normal growth and development of bones and teeth), and phosphorous (aids cell growth, heart muscle contraction, kidney function blood pH, and metabolizes protein, calcium and glucose, among other benefits).

The four-person pendulum offers core exercises like stretching the abdominals and side muscles, but also affords strengthening exercises like bar dips (triceps exercise) for a more challenging workout.

The new outdoor fitness zone at Palomares Academy in Pomona, California, is about more than giving middle schoolers a new P.E. activity, it's about fitness for the entire community. Nestled in the back lot near the jogging track and football field, the fitness zone is part of an effort of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health & Physical Education Department to create "joint use areas" open to students and the community.

According to a research abstract in the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. Since 1960, obesity in the U.S. has tripled; there are six times more "extremely obese" people than 50 years ago. The medical costs of obesity is $190 billion a year, nearly 21 percent of total U.S. health care costs. A 2011 study in the Lancet estimated that by 2030, if current obesity trends continue, obesity-related medical costs could rise by another $48 to $66 billion a year in the U.S. Among the serious obesity-related conditions are heart disease, stroke and type-2 diabetes.

Given the high obesity rates, it's important to introduce children to exercise and encourage lifelong fitness. The main intent of the project was to give P.E. teachers the opportunity to integrate into their weekly fitness curricula relatively easy to use apparatuses, equipment suited for everyone, but that can also be challenging to more athletic types. The equipment incorporates cardio units, plus strength training for the upper and lower body and the "core," providing a well-rounded workout for anyone. The equipment is placed next to the track to encourage a little running.

As a joint-use area, the Palomares fitness zone is open and free to the public outside of school hours. Anthony Salazar, for instance, a maintenance worker and Pomona resident, enjoys using the equipment for weight resistance and "jump training" exercises, alternating exercises with circuits around the track.

One aspect of the Greenfields Outdoor Fitness equipment is the social aspect. Two to four people can use many of the units simultaneously, creating an enjoyable interactive experience, and also enhancing motivation. Because the equipment is outdoors, the atmosphere may seem less intimidating than a gym setting. Taken together, these factors create a powerful asset in the quest for healthy communities.

The fitness zone incorporates 16 units, which allow for up to 30 users to exercise simultaneously. The upper body elements"?utwo-person chest press, two-person "lat" (latissimi dorsi) pull, and two-person vertical press"?uwork the biceps, triceps, shoulders, core and back muscles. The two-sided units provide two different levels of resistance, allowing for a more tailored workout. Butterfly and reverse butterfly presses develop chest, shoulder, arm and back muscles, and upper and mid-abdominal muscles. A rowing machine gives a good upper body workout, strengthening the back, shoulders, abs and arms.

For the more serious athletes, the horizontal ladder and two-level horizontal bars can be used for pull-ups. Users can work their core muscles with a variety of exercises at the two-person sit-up benches and at the pendulum, abs and bar dips stations. The four-person leg press and s-shaped jump bar develop the quads and calves. The elliptical trainer and two-person ski offer cardiovascular training; two stair climbers work the quads, hamstrings, calves, gluteus maximus, abs, and forearms, while enhancing cardiovascular endurance.

The myriad exercises at the new fitness zone ensure everyone, regardless of age or athletic ability, has the opportunity to built better physical fitness. The city of Pomona has offered students and the community a fun and engaging outdoor activity. Now if only people can avert their eyes from their smartphones long enough to get in a few sets, it will be worth it.