They’re suitable for all ages.

And if you figure out how to use your local outdoor callisthenic gym properly, you could save a fortune on gym membership and enjoy all the benefits of exercising outdoors.

Cork City Council, in association with Cork Sports Partnership and Cork Education and Training Board, is installing eleven new outdoor gyms in parks around the city. The resistance-based equipment is simple to operate and free to use.

These clustered outdoor callisthenic gyms, with age-friendly and accessible elements, have already proven popular at Tramore Valley Park, Harty’s Quay, and Ballincollig Regional Park.

The new locations are:

• Clogheenmilcon Sanctuary Walkway, Blarney
• Gerry O’Sullivan Park, St. Colmcille’s Road, Gurranabraher
• John O’Callaghan Park, Ballinglanna, Glanmire
• Lough Mahon (Blackrock Castle Car Park B), Castle Road, Blackrock
• Murphy’s Farm, Bishopstown
• Popham’s Park, Farranferris Green, Farranree
• Ballycannon Park, Clogheen/Kerrypike
• Clashduv Park
• Tory Top Park
• The Lough
• Meelick Park, Ballyvolane

Following a pilot program to provide people with the confidence and skills to use the gyms, a series of free sessions, given by trained instructors, are being offered to the public and open to all ages and abilities.

“These gym installations have proved very popular so far and there have already been public calls for more in other city neighbourhoods.” said Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Kieran McCarthy.

“The pilot programme with instructors for our younger citizens is an important opportunity to give them the confidence to use this equipment without assistance in the future.”

Training sessions

This programme will kick off with five locations, Gerry O’Sullivan Park, Tramore Valley Park, John O’Callaghan Park, Murphy’s Farm and Lough Mahon, and will be rolled out to other areas later.

“These sessions are all about giving people the knowledge and confidence to be able to come to these gyms with a friend, a parent or sibling or use themselves.” added the Lord Mayor.

In the coming weeks, you can catch a training session on Wednesdays in Tramore Valley Park (11:15 am to 12:15pm) and Gerry O’Sullivan Park, Gurranabraher (4pm to 5pm), on Thursdays at John O’Callaghan Park, Glanmire (10 am to 11am) and Lough Mahon, Blackrock (11:45 am to 12:45 p.m)  and on Fridays at Tramore Valley Park (female only sessions) – 12:30 pm to 1.30pm).