There are many people who find it very difficult to exercise or participate in exercises that will enhance their well being. Such people, if they participate in easy outdoor activities, will get rejuvenated in their health. The green gym is one of such programs as you are open to exercises that keep you fit without the use of conventional outdoor machines.
A green gym is a way of helping you to stay fit and at the same time, give back to the environment. You could be taking part in practical projects that will help you tackle physical jobs outside the home. This will not only boost your confidence but will also improve your stamina, strength and well being as you participate in these physical activities.
The green gym is simply a way of improving your health and fitness while concentrating your energies on physical activities in the environment. It helps people to stay fit especially those who don’t like going to the conventional sports centre. Moreover, you can also get online tips using websites providing Green Gym training tips like; Red shed, TCV and many More.
In green gym programs, you are open to free and fun-filled sessions that are carried out outdoors. These programs may include tree planting, the creation of new green spaces, or provision of food gardens to the community.
The main aim of green gym programs, unlike every other practical project, is emphasized on your health and fitness.
In the United Kingdom, a green gym has become a health and wellbeing program which has thousands of volunteers every year. The program has so grown and become famous that it has won many awards.
Many people have testified to the tremendous benefits they got in participating in the green gym programs. I would state here that apart from the fact that it is free, there are other benefits to taking part in the program.
Benefits of participating in green gym programs:
- Exposure to meet new people who you will work together to transform your community.
- You are open to learn new skills and make new friends as well as enjoy yourself in this great social activity.
- You will help make tremendous improvements to your health as you will feel stronger, healthier, and fitter through the physical activities you will get involved with in the environment.
- You will easily boast with confidence the new skills learnt, an improvement in your self-esteem.
- You will be less stressed, and relaxed by the time you spend more time outside in the green spaces and environment.
- By volunteering to help others in the community, you will feel fulfilled and happy; one of the antidotes for stress and depression.
- There is nothing that brings satisfaction and pride like helping to deliver great benefits to your local area and the environment at large.
- You get mixed up with great and innovative leaders that are ready to help you and also impact upon your life new skills, ideas, and techniques that will give you an atmosphere of freshness and a new world of opportunities.
- Apart from keeping fit, participating in green gyms can give you the opportunity to learn new gardening skills and may also improve your job prospects.
- You experience cardiovascular fitness; a boost to your heart, if you work regularly and consistently in the group.
- You are more motivated to put more efforts in building your community.
- Your exposure to trees and plants makes you feel healthier, happier, and more comfortable; you are now alert and can concentrate on achieving your goals and plans.
How Green Gyms Work
Local agencies come into partnership with organizations and the government in order to promote activities by using local green spaces, natural reserves areas, community food gardens and allotment areas for green gyms.
The green gym is an avenue whereby people are helped to relax, as well as helping those with mental health. This is done by providing opportunities to the people to take part in physical activities. Green gym programs are available to anyone that is above 18 years.
The participants or volunteers are made to understand that they must take part in the physical activities designed to help them stay fit. The volunteers are given tasks like planting of trees, trimming hedges of flowers, weeding of beds and other horticultural activities. Sometimes, the people are involved in the clearing of messy areas or abandoned bushes for use by the local area or community.
Activities of Green Gyms
Depending on the location and people involved such activities can include clearing the land, tree planting, digging of allotments, bench building, fence construction and ponds regeneration.
The group meets at the project site in sessions as decided by the leaders. It could be twice weekly or once daily for 10 days, depending on the decisions of the group. At the site, participants are offered refreshment break and an opportunity to socialize and make new friends. Each session is characterized by warm up, tool talk, refreshments, tools gathering, relaxation time and more importantly work sessions.
The green gym is what I would advise anybody to participate in to enhance their general fitness and wellbeing. Anytime you think of green gym, think of the trees, forest and human health. With a green gym, you can give back to your community and at the same time be activated physically with improved fitness and wellbeing.
There are many green gym programs in the United Kingdom and Australia that are still looking for more volunteers to help in giving back to the community. It would be a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this fun fill gathering. And I hope you also want to be a part of green gym program as much as I do.
If you are someone that finds it hard to go to the conventional gym settings, why not consider green gyms. A program that encourages people to get outside their comfort zones and improve upon their health and well-being. A green gym is one of the ways of enjoying nature and getting in return a life that is devoid of depression, sadness and pain.
Don’t be left out of green gym volunteer programs in your community. Find one and join to get a fitter and healthier well-being without stress.
Author Bio:
Melissa Weir is a North Carolina-based freelance writer and work-from-home mother of two. In her 10 years as a professional writer, she’s worked in proposal management, grant writing, and content creation. Personally, she’s passionate about teaching her family how to stay safe, secure and action-ready in the event of a disaster or emergency.
