Editorial Team
5 min read
When you picture an outdoor gym or outdoor fitness, you probably think back to the early days of the pandemic when so many indoor activities temporarily shifted outside to prevent the spread of Covid-19. But while outdoor fitness has exploded since the pandemic, it actually has a much longer history–especially in California. For nearly a century California fitness has centered on the great outdoors. The notorious Muscle Beach where Arnold Schwarzenneger came to fame in Venice, California first opened to weightlifters all the way back in 1934.
If outdoor fitness and outdoor yoga were popularized on a new scale by the pandemic, they’ve continued to surge in popularity since. According to a 2023 trends report from the Outdoor Industry Association, the outdoor recreation participant base increased by 2.3% in 2022. A record 168.1 million participants representing 55% of the US population over age 6 participated in outdoor recreation that year. With its year-round sunshine and long history of outdoor fitness, California leads the way.
Why outdoor fitness?
Outdoor fitness isn’t just about the fresh air. Whether it’s activities like hiking, jogging, cycling, or group fitness classes, working out outside offers the chance to connect with nature, break from indoor monotony, and access new and varied physical challenges.
While both indoor and outdoor exercise have major health benefits, outdoor workouts offer even greater advantages when it comes to both physical and mental health. Exercising outside means all-important vitamin D exposure. Proximity to plants and trees boosts immune function. And perhaps best of all, working out outdoors leads to reduced stress. Research suggests that just 20 minutes a day spent in nature can significantly lower stress levels. Lower stress means better mood, energy, and emotional wellbeing. It’s no surprise that for the most part, Americans prefer exercising outdoors.
California: leading the outdoor fitness trend
With great weather and an abundance of outdoor exercise options, there’s no better place for outdoor fitness than California. If running and cycling have long been the top choices for the outdoor fitness minded, there’s recently been a surge of interest in outdoor exercise options that closely replicate the indoor workout experience–especially for strength training.
California has a host of public parks with exercise equipment. These facilities, often located alongside trails or in parks, have the advantage of being free and available to the public 24/7. Plus, they’re a ton of fun for whole families. In recent years, a number of private gyms in California have taken outdoor fitness and the requisite outdoor gym equipment to the next level. Luxfit gym in San Francisco offers multiple outdoor gym locations with a full suite of high-end equipment. In Southern California, Bootcamp LA runs outdoor training classes for exercises of all levels in local parks.
Outdoor yoga has also surged in popularity since the pandemic. Exercisers in the Golden State can try classes in the trees, on the beach, and even off-shore on stand-up paddle boards.
READ: 5 apps that can help retain gym members
Offering outdoor workouts
Now is, perhaps, a better time than ever for gyms and fitness professions to jump on the outdoor fitness bandwagon. Hosting outdoor exercise classes or assembling an outdoor gym can bring huge rewards, but facilitating workouts in the great outdoors requires some extra planning.
Space
Before getting started with your outdoor fitness business, consider your space. Will you be running a class in a public park or on a beach? Or will you need to rent or purchase and outfit a space? Thinking back to the benefits of outdoor exercise, how will participants interact with the environment and nature around them for maximum benefits?
If you’re considering opening a business like an outdoor gym or expanding into this space, don’t forget to think about needs like lockers and showers for participants. And, be sure you’ve consulted with your local government to determine what permits or licenses, if any, you may need to operate your business outdoors.
Equipment
For outdoor workouts, outdoor gym equipment is essential. When investing in equipment, look for weather-proof materials and consider whether you’ll need to take steps to prevent rusting. This could mean covering any open areas housing metal equipment, or relying on fewer and simpler pieces of equipment. For outdoor yoga, equipment challenges may be less daunting–but don’t forget to bring tarps for dewy grass.
READ: Essential equipment gyms and fitness studios need for opening day
Payment
The great outdoors is an unconventional place to collect payment, organize equipment, and engage repeat customers. While all fitness providers need robust and secure POS systems, for outdoor fitness professionals, a portable POS system is the key to success. Products like the Clover Flex support merchants who need to collect payment quickly and seamlessly on the go. In an even smaller and more compact size, Clover Go allows users to accept payment directly from their phones. With the right tools, payment processing can be as smooth and straightforward an experience outside as in.
The future of fitness
The pandemic reminded us of the countless opportunities for outdoor fitness, and of the many unique benefits of taking workouts outdoors. While outdoor exercise has been around as long as the outdoors themselves, recent history has shed light on the spaces and tools that can make outdoor workouts maximally enjoyable for participants and providers alike. With great equipment and easy payment processing, the future of outdoor fitness is bright.
For more insights on setting up a POS system that best fits your gym or fitness studio, contact a Clover Consultant today.
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