New Fitness Corner

Fitness corners/parks have been a feature of heartlands to promote the slogan of 'Exercise to Stay Healthy' (I made that up, I am not sure if there really is one). I will not argue over calling this fitness corner a 'park', since a park in a 'non-Singapore' context, is usually hectares of land which can hardly be covered by foot and usually larger than Singapore island, eg. Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia. A park can also refer to a sanctury of nature, eg. Jurong Bird Park, Singapore (a bad example, nature in captivity). A park is also referred to a place of recreation and relaxation, eg. East Coast Park, Singapore).

The district management just replaced the fitness stations of the fitness corner/park in my residential vicinity. The old stations are rather 'static' where you get to do the regular parallel bars, feet raise, setp-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups etc, but can be a tad too strenuous for the aged. The newer and improved stations are more 'interactive', provides targeted and effective workout for all ages. The moveable systems make working out more fun. Here I give a brief photo-account of the new and improved fitness stations.
Click on thumbnails to enlarge.

Double Rowing Equipment

We usually know this as the row-boat action. It allows/requires 2 to participate and engage in a rowing action where users will alternately go back and forth. Strengthens the lower limb muscle groups and back.

Step-Up Step-Down and Single Twist Waist Equipment

This station is allows 2 individual activities. The Step-up Step-Down equipment builds you lower limb muscle groups just as you would do the conventional step-up exercises. The handle bar swivels in-sync with the foot pedals in alternate up-down movement. The Single Twist Waist equipment is best suited for ladies who loves to target the workout to their waist, making it slimmer.

Tai Chi Rotator Equipment

The Tai Chi Rotator equipment allows 2 individual users. The user can swirl the rotating panels in any directions with arms stretched out. The motion is similar to that of the traditional art of tai chi quan. Strengthens the upper limbs.

Inclinded Seat Cycling Equipement

This equipment can only be engaged by one user. Needless to elaborate more, this strengthens the thigh muscle groups.

Double Inclined Sit-Up Benches Equipment

2 individual users can engage this station. There is no longer a need to have someone else hold down your feet. Works out the upper core (stomach) muscle groups, good to bring out the '6-packs' after trimming the belly with the Single Twist Waist equipment. The degree of incline is equivalent to the level of difficulty and eventually output results.

3 Levels Pull-Up bars Equipment

Putting 100% into endurance and stamina training means that I need to work more at this station, as chin-ups has never been my forte. No short-cuts but hard work.
Ihave left out the details of the bench on the right image, which I believe to be a sit-up station as well.

Single-Skiing Equipment

The most popular equipment is this skiing equipment for one user. This station allows user to engage in a realistic skiing-action work out, which is pretty much an overall workout in a subtle manner.


I am glad that they actually build such interactive and useful fitness stations. I can now ask my folks to workout regularly. The only problem is that the fitness corner/park is surrounded by flats, while residents play spectators to a 'mouse-in-cage' act, right from the comfort of their very own homes. That can be quite a put-off. I personally like to stand by my kitchen window and look out at the activities going on, while enjoying a fruit.


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