”See you at the outdoor gym”

From forest thicket to outdoor gym

A couple of years ago, this was just a forest thicket next to the illuminated trail. Today, there is an outdoor gym made of wood with several workout stations, an obstacle course for children, and a simple grill area – all created by Marbäck's sports association as part of a leader project.

Soon, Linda Wilhelmsson appears with her five-year-old son Melker. He immediately throws himself onto the "don't touch the ground" course, shows how it works, and tests some of the gym stations. After a while, however, it's hide and seek that attracts him the most. For Linda, it is precisely that combination that makes the place special, that she can train while the children play freely in the forest.

The idea for the gym emerged from a need in the village. There were already activities linked to community life, but there was a lack of a place where people of different ages could meet more spontaneously and be active together. The thought was to create something simple and accessible, where no membership or planning is required to participate.

The gym is just a short walk from the village. The way there goes through a pedestrian tunnel under the main road, via the illuminated trail or along a path through the forest. The walk works very well as a warm-up, says Linda, who was the project manager for the initiative. And once you arrive, you often have company.

– On weekends, there is often someone else here. It's hard to say how many use the gym, but it is noticeable that it is being used.

More than just training

Different groups meet here. The women's team trains, a group of men gathers regularly, families with children hang out in the forest, and leisure groups come here on outings. The children have also been able to contribute their mark on the place. When the obstacle course was planned, they were allowed to come up with their own ideas about how it should look and what challenges it should include. The result was a course with several different elements that attract both younger and slightly older children.

The clearest effects may be seen in the small things. Linda tells about a man who was involved in building the gym but had never trained before. Now he is there every Monday. And for some, the place has become crucial.

– There are several single mothers who are now actually able to get their training in, because the children can be with them, says Linda. Not everyone is comfortable leaving their child in the children's room at traditional gyms; this is something completely different. The simplicity is also an important part of it all; you can be there without having to book, plan, or perform.

The place has also taken on a new role in everyday life. Saying “see you at the outdoor gym” has become natural. What was previously a place one passed by has become a place one stops at, and it is not just about training. For example, a group gathered to grill together on New Year's.

Engagement that is contagious

The engagement in Marbäck had started to grow even before the gym was built, with more teams in the association and an increased drive, not least among the younger ones. At the same time, the project seems to have reinforced that development. Planning, building, and completing a concrete place together has shown what is possible and created a sense that more ideas can be realized.

– When you build something together that you want in your area, both pride and community are created. I grew up in Ulricehamn and there I don't think this type of initiative would have emerged in the same way, says Linda.

Already when the outdoor gym was completed, thoughts began to move forward. During a trip to Klädesholmen, Linda and some friends spotted a sauna, which turned out to be leader-funded. It was an eye-opener.

– Then we thought that maybe that's something we could do here too.
No sauna is planned right now, but the idea lives on. And maybe that's the point, that a completed project not only creates a place but also opens up for the next step.

At the same time, there is a responsibility. The place needs to be taken care of to continue being attractive. Linda believes that if it is nice and in order, people will also want to leave it that way. And maybe that's why the gym has been left alone, as no vandalism has occurred at all.

Another important part of the journey has been the support during the project's course. Running a leader project took more time than Linda initially thought, with many evenings spent on planning and administration. But the support from the leader office is highlighted as crucial.

– It was a security to have someone to bounce ideas off, says Linda. I never had to start over when I had questions, but received quick feedback.

With the experience behind her, a future project feels less distant. Now she knows how it works. When she looks back on the work, the feeling is also clear; she is proud that they reached their goal and that the result turned out better than expected. It was definitely worth it!