Mysureans flock to parks to work out at open-air gyms

MYSURU:

Open-air gymnasiums

set up in the

parks

of Mysuru are in huge demand.

Given that people can access them for their daily workout free of cost, men, women and youngsters are thronging these community gyms, like the one at

Javaregowda Park

. Since the first ever open-air gymnasium opened in Puttaraja Gavayi Stadium in JP Nagar, demand for community gyms has gone up in the city.

To meet the demands of the public, MCC had taken a decision to set up more than 20 such gyms in the city’s parks.

Of late, when Saraswathipuram Park got its new open-air gymnasium, people of all ages were seen using the equipment as they waited for their turns. The gym was not just used by locals, but even those from distant areas who were looking for a workout.

And now, fitness enthusiasts want MCC to set up equipment in nearby parks as well. Lokesh, 52, a resident of Bogadi 2nd Stage, told TOI, “Ever since open-air gymnasiums were installed at Javaregowda Park, I come here every evening all the way from Nirmiti Kendra of Bogadi 2nd Stage, and spend an hour working out. With routine exercises, working out at the gym adds to fitness. While I have to travel a long distance to work out here, it would be great if gyms were set up in vacant parks of Vijayanagar 3rd Stage and Bogadi 2nd Stage. There are parks in and around Nirmiti Kendra that are waiting for the attention of authorities,” he said.

Similar gyms have been set up in Lingambudhi Lake Park and Nivedita Nagar SR Subba Rao Park, which are highly popular among the people.

To people’s surprise, women and men, mostly senior citizens, are keen on maintaining fitness. Shantakumari, 48, a resident of Vijayanagar, said there is abundant space in the parks of the area. It is helpful for womenfolk if gyms are set up in Chamundeshwari segment, she added.

Retired professor Thammegowda told TOI that the open-air gymnasium is one of the best ideas to have been implemented in the city. Lauding the efforts of MCC, he said that an hour of walking and half-an-hour at the gym in Javaregowda Park had helped him maintain health and fitness. “Community gyms at the park have equipment which relieve back pain, abdominal cholesterol, strengthen nerves and relax the body. Instead of paying hefty fee to private gyms, elders and women can gain benefit from these gyms,” he said.

The gym at Javaregowda Park was installed at a cost of Rs 5 lakh. Since inception, the park has been a hub for walkers and joggers, and will cater to the people’s fitness needs, said corporator Lingappa. “Rather than pay a fee at gyms, individuals can work out at this park. People of all ages are making use of the facility. It is time all major parks in the city get their own parks,” he said.

MCC commissioner KH Jagadeesh told TOI that MCC will work towards meeting the demands of the people. “Gyms in city parks are a hit. Community gyms are widely accepted as they focus on physical fitness of the public. Given that Mysuru is a yoga city, these gyms are also adding to physical fitness. Due to the election code of conduct, installation of gym equipment was halted, but we will now speed up work and also instal gyms where there is a demand. An action plan for development of parks has already been worked out,” he said.


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