Transforming fitness at Central Hawkes Bay College with outdoor gym equipment
Fitness has been made fun and accessible following a student-led push for outdoor gym equipment for use by the school and wider community
Central Hawkes Bay College (CBHC) in Waipukurau was offered funding from Sport NZ to help get active students moving. Students at the school already had something in mind for the funding—outdoor gym equipment.
Students had seen similar outdoor machines installed at other school campuses during sports games, said CHBC sports coordinator Wendy Mackie. When the board heard this student suggestion, they reached out to the team at Hotshot Sports Equipment.
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“We wanted machines that worked more or less the whole body—so our selection was based on this—upper, lower and core strength,” Ms Mackie told School News.
The school selected eight new machines, which are now situated in a long line overlooking the sports field. This provides easy access for students and the community, and good integration with the existing sports and P.E programs.
“We have seen students using it during breaks, where before they were not engaging in physical activity. There are members of the community coming to use them as well. Sometimes I think students don’t realise they’re using it. They might be sitting and eating their lunch but they’re pedalling the bike.”
The machines are available 24/7 to be used by students, staff and the community and it’s lowered barriers to physical fitness for many. Ms Mackie said the machines have removed sports and gym conflicts for some young students, who are now able to commit to both programs.
Related School News article: School sport opportunities to get students moving
“Community wise we have lots of people come in on weekends and holidays. There’s no barrier to doing exercise because there’s no cost to using it.”
Ms Mackie said the Hotshot Sports team were “super easy to deal with—prompt, helpful and nice! Communication is key and we have no problems in that area.”
Ms Mackie describes the installation process as fuss-free, and said the team at Hotshot Sports is accommodating of requests like changing the pedals on the stationary bike.
“The machines have had a good positive impact, and it’s really exciting for little old Central Hawkes Bay.”
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