New outdoor gym opens to the public in Swindon
The free-to-use facility aims to encourage more people to stay active
A new outdoor gym has officially opened in Prior Eval, providing a free fitness facility for the community.
The gym, funded by the local council, cost just under £60,000 to design and construct. The location was chosen based on popular walking, cycling, and running routes in Prior Eval, making it accessible to people who already use these areas for physical activity.
Speaking about the project, Vinay Manro highlighted the benefits of the outdoor gym, noting how it offers free access without the need for a membership or travelling to indoor venues.
“It’s accessible to everybody,” Manro said. “There’s no membership involved. You don’t have to get in a car and drive to your gym. It’s there, it’s accessible, it’s available to everybody. So it’s another community asset.”
The outdoor gym officially opened over the weekend, coinciding with the New Year and aimed to encourage people to stick to their resolutions around being active. Though chilly weather was noted on the opening day, organisers believe the winter months are an ideal time to launch a free facility that can draw people outdoors after work or daily routines.
Funding for the initiative came from council tax, with the plans and costs available to view publicly through mechanisms such as tender documentation.
“This is council-funded,” Manro said. “It’s absolutely fine to ask where the money is going, and if you look at the business case, you can see all the relevant details. We’re a very transparent council in that respect.”
With the gym now open, Manro shared hopes that it would be actively used for years to come.