RESIDENTS at the eco town development in North West Bicester can now use outdoor gym equipment right on their doorstep.

The installation at the play area off Charlotte Avenue in Elmsbrook, was officially opened by Town Mayor Councillor Jason Slaymaker last Thursday.

Elmsbrook Community Organisation successfully secured funding for the gym from A2Domion’s Great Places to live fund, where residents can request improvements to their neighbourhood, such as landscaping work on communal gardens or new equipment at the local children’s park.

The new gym includes an exercise bike, chin-up bar and cross trainer, as well as a fully-accessible hand-bike suitable for wheelchair users all provided by the Outdoor Gym Company.

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Councillor Andrew McHugh, lead member for health and wellbeing at Cherwell District Council said:

“Enabling residents to keep physically active is a major part of the Healthy Bicester project. This is the third gym of its kind in the town and I look forward to seeing people of all ages and abilities using the equipment.”

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Users of the new community gym will be able to charge their phone whilst keeping fit, as the amount of energy generated can be transferred by using the USB outlets.

The outdoor gym is also linked to the TGO Activate app, which tracks exercise, helping users see exactly how many calories they’re burning each week.

The same app can be used on any of the three 5k Health Routes in Bicester with the total amount of exercise being calculated.

Residents attended the unveiling last week and tried out the equipment themselves with a personal trainer on hand to help with any questions.

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A2Dominion has committed further funding for additional equipment that is planned for phases three and four of Elmsbrook.

Sarah, Chair of the Elmsbrook Community Organisation, submitted the idea for the outdoor gym after seeing the equipment at Kingsmere and Garth Park.

She said: "This has been a fantastic project and we are very excited to be able to bring these fantastic facilities to the residents of North West Bicester."