Tower Hamlets opens seven outdoor gyms in bid to reduce borough’s obesity
Mayor John Biggs testing out the equipment under the guidance of fitness instructor Born Barikor. Picture: Rehan Jamil - Credit: Archant
The mayor of Tower Hamlets flexed his non-political muscles at the opening of an outdoor gym on the Isle of Dogs.
Isle of Dogs resident Sharda Vias trying out the new equipment with her husband Girish Vias, mayor John Biggs and fitness instructor Born Barikor watching. Picture: Rehan Jamil - Credit: Archant
John Biggs helped staff and residents open the gym in Sir John McDougall Gardens during a fun day today (Monday).
It’s one of seven being opened across the borough, which have been set up as a result of feedback from GP patient participation groups.
The urban gyms will be part of a ‘social prescribing’ service that GPs and nurses can use to refer patients. It’s estimated that up to 30 per cent of Tower Hamlets’ adult population is clinically obese.
John Biggs said: “Tower Hamlets has a problem with obesity and we recognise how important physical activity is for improved physical and mental health and wellbeing.
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“Our new outdoor training facilities give residents an opportunity to exercise in the fresh air, improving their fitness levels and having fun at the same time.”
The gyms include parallel bars, cross trainers, hand bikes, benches and sprint tracks, and there’ll be instructor-led free workouts running every week.
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The other gyms are located at Millwall Park in the Isle of Dogs, Ropewalk Gardens in Whitechapel, Shandy Park in Stepney, Rounton Road Park in Bromley-by-Bow, Jolly’s Green in Poplar, and Pollard Square in Bethnal Green.