Children often exercise through form of play, but as people age, physical activity decreases and exercise begins to feel like a chore; however, it shouldn’t have to be this way. If there were a way to bring childish fun back into movement for adults, society could be both healthier and happier.
As a kid, I remember one of the most exciting things was going to a park. Whether it was a playground or walking trails, these areas always felt fresh and exciting. Despite the age difference, easily accessible adult indoor parks could be a great way to encourage increased physical activity across the population in a way that is as enjoyable for people as it was in their youth.
To test this theory out for myself, I decided to visit a facility near me. Unfortunately, I quickly realized that these areas are not very common, and at an hour away, the closest one to me was Tempest Freerunning Academy, a parkour facility located in Southlake, Texas. Thankfully, once the long drive was over with, the rest was easy. After filling out the online waiver beforehand, I attended one of their two hour open gym sessions in the evening. This gave me access to the different areas inside the facility including trampolines, an air mat, a rope, bars and lots of structures meant for running, jumping and climbing. It was both energizing and physically challenging. While I definitely woke up with some soreness the next day, this kind of visit can be beginner-friendly because attendees are able to stick to their comfort level while still having plenty to do. For those that are very serious about learning parkour, Tempest also offers memberships that give people access to classes that are suited to their level of experience.
Admittedly, parkour is a relatively risky activity that is more popular among teenagers and young adults, however, other facilities don’t have to be as dangerous. Adult parks could span from actual play structures to an American Ninja Warrior type facility to scenic walking trails. While play structures and obstacle courses would likely be better suited for young and middle-aged adults, walking trails could be much more inclusive. Additionally, the added benefit of being indoors could make these places even more desirable. During Texas summers, it is very difficult to spend time outside because the temperature rises to dangerous and unbearable levels. Unless one is able to wake up very early in the morning or go out late at night, spending time outside daily is not a feasible option. As someone who enjoys activities that are normally done outdoors, this can be frustrating. Similarly, in the north temperatures can drop to levels that leave people at risk for hypothermia when they engage in exercise outdoors during the winter. Thus, indoor facilities would make it easier and safer to exercise regardless of weather conditions or even seasonal allergies.
Furthermore, lack of physical activity is a prominent issue for Americans due to the fact that advancements in technology have reshaped society to encourage a highly sedentary lifestyle. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that only 24.2% of adults meet the guidelines for both muscle-strengthening and aerobic activities. To make matters worse, a study by PubMed Central discovered that half of the United States adult population is sedentary for nine and a half hours or more each day; an amount that puts these people at significant risk for health problems and premature death. Fortunately, a shift in habits that promotes regular exercise can reduce these risks and make everyday tasks safer and easier to perform. In addition to the physical benefits, exercise has been proven to reduce stress and increase brain function.
Infrequent exercise is an issue that is significantly impacting the United States population, and many individuals will not successfully change their habits to fix this on their own long-term; however, the implementation of adult indoor parks could provide people with a greater ability and a greater motivation to live a more active lifestyle.
