Fitness - Beau Vallon gets outdoor gym |21 January 2016

While the talk of eliminating obesity among our youth still goes on, much is being done to address the issue and yesterday, the residents of Beau Vallon and north Mahé saw the opening of a first outdoor gym.

Found at the beach just in front of the Savoy Hotel at the Regatta site, the gym features equipment found in most fitness centres and gyms, except for the fact that they are sealed into the ground and can be used for free.

The man behind the idea is Vadim Markelov, a Russian residing in Seychelles. Mr Markelov got the idea as he himself usually uses the Beau Vallon beach area along with other locals to exercise to keep fit and he found that such equipment would add to their daily routine and help to further help work all the areas of the body.

It was the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Vincent Meriton who officially opened the outdoor gym along with the chief executive of the National Sports Council (NSC) Giovanna Rousseau and Mr Markelov.

Minister Meriton thanked Mr Markelov for his desire to make this donation to the country, saying that it was a great Christmas and New Year’s gift.

“It is only the beginning and we look forward to having more partnerships in the way of sports,” he added.

The equipment comes at a total cost of €10,000 and is free to be used by anyone who desires to, although Ms Rousseau was quick to point out that under-aged children using the facility should have adult supervision at all times.

“What we ask is that members of the public use this facility well and treat all the equipment well as these are all for them and they should be the ones to ensure that they are not vandalised or misused,” added Ms Rousseau.

She also stated that there are already plans to get similar facilities in other areas as well, although these have not been properly decided yet.

In all there are 13 pieces of equipment which cater for the working of all areas of the body and they have all been funded by Mr Markelov and his company MB Barbell which develops these gears along with other fitness products in Russia.

The outdoor gym is a first in Seychelles and it is hoped that it will encourage more people to take their fitness seriously.