As the weather warms up it is a good time to get back out into the elements if you have been hibernating through winter or holing up indoors at the gym.
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And, in good news for Lake Macquarie residents, the council have just unveiled their latest instalment of outdoor exercise equipment along the water’s edge.
The $100,000 new fitness trail at Warners Bay not only offers workout facilities but a pretty motivating backdrop as well.
The 960-metre trail starts on The Esplanade foreshore, opposite the intersection with Seaman Avenue, and features four exercise stations at regular intervals along the lake’s shore.
There is a multi-bench at the start, a sit-up bench at the 350m mark, a step-up station at 700m and a combination full-body exercise unit to finish.
Manager Community Planning Wes Hain said the stations comprised “high-quality, durable pieces of equipment that combine strength and cardio training and cater for all ages and abilities”.
“The trail is another great step in our ongoing goal to promote active, healthy lifestyles and create vibrant communities,” Mr Hain said.
“It really capitalises on our spectacular lake, with stunning views south across the water.”
He said the council worked with the University of Newcastle to determine what equipment would be most effective to encourage exercise and recreation.
The new equipment comes after council opened another fitness trail in Speers Point in October of last year.
It comprises six stations spread across a 1.5-kilometre stretch that includes stairs, parallel bars, sit-up benches, leg presses and more.
Outdoor fitness equipment has also been installed at the soon-to-be-opened Pasterfield Sports Complex at Cameron Park, and is earmarked for Bernie Goodwin Reserve in Morisset and at Thomas H Halton Park at Croudace Bay.
Newcastle City Council has four sites with outdoor equipment – at Waratah West’s Braye Park, Islington Park, Lambton Park and Warabrook Wetlands Reserve – and are looking to install more.
In May council placed a Draft Outdoor Exercise Facility Strategy on public exhibition for Novocastrians to have their say on a proposed plan for new outdoor exercise facilities at several locations.
They included Camp Shortland, South Newcastle Beach, Cooks Hill’s Nesca Park, National Park in Newcastle West, Stockton’s Griffith Park and Fernleigh Track at Adamstown. Wallsend-Maryland, Minmi, Beresfield and Adamstown-New Lambton were also considered.
At the time, Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said it was “a win for everyone who likes to exercise outdoors and also for areas of Newcastle that will get a boost from the daily presence of fitness enthusiasts”.
The draft Outdoor Exercise Facility Strategy had since come off public exhibition and council staff are in the midst of reviewing the submissions and suggestions made by the community.
Upcoming Fitness Events
Lake Macquarie Running Festival, Warners Bay, August 26: Held on the shores of Lake Macquarie, there is a 21.1km half marathon course, a 10.5km fun run and 4km kids’ scamper.
Wollombi Wild Ride, Wollombi, September 1: Celebrating its 10th year, this cross country mountain bike event features a 58-kilometre challenge for the diehards plus 30km and 13.5km courses.
Variety Spin 4 Kids, Harbour Square, September 7: A six-hour cycling charity event to help disadvantaged children of the Hunter. It is on stationary bikes and teams comprise up to 10 riders or you can do it solo.
Winter Warmers Week #10
With less than four weeks of winter left and spring just around the corner, it is time to take your training regime up a notch.
This workout comprises working through the exercises for a 30-minute period. Depending on your fitness level, you can add breaks at 10 and 20 minutes or halfway. This can be done at the gym, outdoors or at home:
30 squats with alternating shoulder press, 30 shoulder throws with light dumbbells, 30 plank jacks, 30 walking lunges, 50 skips, 30 ab rotation with dumbbells, 30 dead lifts, row 200m/run 400m, 30 mountain climbers, 30 bent-over rows, 20 glute bridge.
Share your fitness news or events at r.valentine@fairfaxmedia.com.au.