As we all know, the most cherished parks have something for everyone. Children burn off energy at the playground. Dog owners congregate in dog parks. Picklers fill the pickleball courts. And active adults have a place to enjoy nature and get exercise.
As outdoor fitness equipment continues to evolve and improve, so does its popularity with the public. After all, the gym isn’t for everyone. Some people prefer exercising outdoors. Outdoor fitness equipment enables parks and recreation agencies to offer their communities opportunities to expand and diversify their outdoor workout routines.
If your agency has outdoor fitness equipment or is considering getting it, you will want to develop a maintenance plan to keep the equipment safe, operational, and in optimal condition.
What is Outdoor Fitness Equipment?
As the name suggests, outdoor fitness equipment refers to exercise machines and structures placed outdoors in parks and other open spaces. The equipment can be grouped together in one area or spread out along a walking or biking path.
In many cases, the exercises using the equipment involve bodyweight strength, balance, and aerobic activities.
Types of Outdoor Fitness Equipment
A wide range of equipment is available for youth, adults, and seniors. There are even accessible options for those with special needs. The equipment is designed to accommodate a range of fitness levels, offering gentle stretches all the way up to challenging workouts.
Some types of outdoor fitness equipment include:
- Cardio Equipment
- Stretching Equipment
- Weightlifting Equipment
- Pull Up Bars
- Balance Beams
- Rowing Machines
- Climbing Walls
Planning Outdoor Fitness Equipment Maintenance
If your agency invests in outdoor fitness equipment, your maintenance team is tasked with maximizing its lifespan and ensuring its safety. Before developing a plan for the equipment, you need to understand the maintenance required.
Review any manufacturer specifications or warranty requirements. Information from the manufacturers could begin to shape your plans for inspections, recurring preventative maintenance tasks, and replacement inventory.
Also, review any data you have about your existing equipment. Do you have a task or inspection history that can give you insights beyond the manufacturer’s guidelines? For example, are there certain times of year that see a spike in the equipment’s usage? Do some stations need more maintenance or repairs than others? How resilient is the equipment to the changing seasons?
Historical maintenance records, conversations with your maintenance staff, and maybe even input from those who use the equipment can be valuable in fleshing out your maintenance plan.
Develop Preventive Maintenance Strategies
Your outdoor fitness equipment maintenance plan should be tailored to usage patterns and seasonal needs. For example, in a northern climate, a thorough inspection of all the equipment’s components may be required in early spring when the weather starts getting nicer. Then, as the season progresses, briefer, high-frequency inspections may be used.
Consider designating a person or small group to be responsible for maintaining the fitness equipment. These staff will have a deep understanding of the equipment’s needs. All maintenance staff should have a fundamental understanding of the fitness equipment, common issues, and the procedures for reporting them.
Formulate a budget that sets aside funds for preventative maintenance, replacement parts, or equipment repairs. Developing relationships with equipment manufacturers or vendors may help expedite receiving replacement parts and other supplies.
Create Inspection Procedures
Effective inspections allow the inspector to objectively evaluate the equipment and take corrective action when necessary. Schedule a dedicated staff to do periodic inspections. If multiple staff will conduct the inspections, make sure they are all on the same page on what to check and how to evaluate the equipment.
Some action items to use in outdoor fitness equipment inspections include:
- Cleaning litter and debris in the area
- Checking for graffiti or vandalism
- Check for rust and corrosion
- Inspect wear points and moving pieces
- Inspect and tighten hardware connections
- Evaluate the condition of grips, pads, and other contact surfaces
- Look for damage caused by external elements
- Make sure the surfacing is in good condition and evenly distributed
- Clean and clear surrounding area, walkways and paths
- Look for any nearby water or drainage issues
These action items serve as a starting point for your outdoor fitness equipment inspection. Be sure to check with your vendor or manufacturer about more specific items to inspect.
Schedule Seasonal Maintenance for Outdoor Fitness Equipment
Depending on your location, you may need to take extra precautions to protect your equipment from weather conditions. Each season presents a unique set of challenges that must be addressed when a plan is in place.
Here are some examples of seasonal work your fitness equipment may need:
- Spring: Deep clean and assess for any winter damage. Preparing equipment for increased usage.
- Summer: Increased inspections, checking for high-use wear and damage due to heat or extreme weather.
- Fall: Weatherproofing, maintenance & repairs after a high-use period.
- Winter: Storing vulnerable equipment, winterizing, snow and ice removal.
Common Maintenance Issues and Solutions
Usage and weather can cause damage and issues with your outdoor fitness equipment. Regular inspections and seasonal maintenance can help reduce these problems.
All equipment should be inspected regularly for signs of rust, vandalism, insect infestations, signs of wildlife (bird droppings, animal nesting, etc), and general wear and tear resulting from usage. Depending on the type of equipment, moving parts may require lubrication with manufacturer-approved lubricants.
Replacing worn parts and ensuring hardware is secure can prevent equipment damage and injury to the user.
Maintenance staff should also maintain the grounds near the outdoor fitness equipment. Uneven ground, litter, and overgrown vegetation can create unsafe conditions. If your equipment runs along a walkway or trail, you want to be sure the entire trail is safe and obstacle-free.
Record Keeping and Reporting
Any inspections or work done on the fitness equipment needs to be documented. The inspection reports and maintenance logs will show the team's efforts in the safety and upkeep of the equipment. These records could protect the agency if anyone is injured while using the equipment.
Data from repairs and maintenance also helps budget for future work and replacement of the equipment once it has reached the end of its lifespan.
The Takeaway
Like any park and recreation asset, you want to make sure outdoor fitness equipment gets maintained for optimal safety and lifespan. Planning and scheduling maintenance tasks throughout the year can ensure that the fitness equipment can withstand the varying usage and weather patterns it faces.
Keeping paper records or using maintenance management software can help with future maintenance planning and budgeting for outdoor fitness equipment.