Revamped outdoor gyms unveiled at two Derby parks

Local residents can make the most of the better weather by exercising at the refurbished outdoor gyms in Mickleover and Alvaston. The upgraded facilities, designed to make fitness more accessible and engaging for all ages and abilities, are now open to the public.

The inclusive outdoor fitness areas at Vicarage Road Recreation Ground in Mickleover and Alvaston Park now feature a range of new cardio, resistance, and calisthenics equipment.

Both sites have been designed to accommodate a full body workout for a broad range of ages and abilities. The designs were chosen following consultation with the public last year.

Beyond the new equipment, users at Alvaston Park can access a ‘virtual personal trainer’ experience via a fitness app, which will show how to use the apparatus and offer different exercise options based on an individual’s level and goals. At Vicarage Road, users can scan a QR on each piece of equipment to access videos demonstrating how to use it.

The outdoor gyms are designed to accommodate everything from casual individual use to structured circuit training, which is ideal for building long-term endurance. Exercising outdoors has lots of benefits, including increasing wellbeing and boosting energy levels.

In addition to improvements to the fitness areas, at Vicarage Road the multi-sport goals on the ball court have been repainted and local community artist Love Lalaland will be adding bespoke health-themed artwork to the goal surfaces.

Over at Alvaston Park, the fitness area also includes a games space offering a free, informal area for football, netball and basketball, plus two new climbing features.

The facilities at Alvaston were part-funded by £20,000 secured by the Alvaston Friends Group through National Lottery Awards for All England.

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Parks and Leisure, said:

We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone in Derby to lead active, healthy lives. These upgraded fitness areas at Vicarage Road and Alvaston Park are fantastic community assets whether you are a beginner or a regular athlete.

I’m particularly pleased that they are designed to be inclusive and accessible for people of all abilities. By investing in our parks, we are demonstrating our commitment to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our city.

For more information about Derby’s parks visit the the Derby Parks webpage.