Festive fitness comes to Bovey Tracey with opening of new £60k outdoor gym

A new outdoor gym will officially open in Bovey Tracey later this month, with a free Christmas-themed fitness event planned for local residents of all ages.

The £60,000 outdoor gym, located in Mill Marsh Park next to the town’s skatepark, will open this Saturday (20 December).

An opening event, running from 11am to 1pm, includes free fitness activities, Christmas calisthenics sessions and light-hearted Santa-themed challenges.

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The project has been delivered by Bovey Tracey Town Council and is free to use all day, every day. 

Funding for the gym was provided by the town council with support from the National Lottery Awards for All Community Fund.

The opening session will be led by Ben and Logan from Vigilantes Street Workout, who will guide taster sessions aimed at young people, families and anyone curious about calisthenics. 

Calisthenics is a form of strength training that uses body weight rather than equipment and has become increasingly popular, especially with younger people.

The gym equipment has been installed by The Great Outdoor Gym Company, also known as TGO. 

This is the second TGO outdoor gym to be installed in Devon, with more than 3,000 TGO gyms now in place worldwide.

Mayor of Bovey Tracey, Sheila Brooke, said the gym is an investment in the long-term health of the town.

“This gym represents an investment in the health, wellbeing and future of our community. We’re thrilled to be supporting a space that welcomes everyone, from young people discovering new sports to adults looking to get active outdoors.”

She also confirmed the council is looking beyond Bovey Tracey. 

“We’re also keen to stress that our focus is not just on Bovey and we’re in talks with Teignbridge District Council with the aim of acquiring sites in Heathfield where we can improve outdoor play and fitness equipment, as residents have requested,” she said.

An accompanying mobile app, TGO Activate, allows gym users to plan workouts and enables local trainers and groups to organise sessions. 

Coaches, fitness instructors and community leaders are encouraged to become “TGO Activators” and run activities at the site.

TGO spokesperson Georgie Delanie said: “A TGO Activator is anyone who organises a session, meet-up or community activity at a TGO gym, whether charged or free. 

“Through the TGO Activate app, providers can advertise sessions, attract participants, and help shape the gym into a vibrant, community-led health space.”

She added: “The ethos of every TGO activation is to unite people and support the strengthening of body, mind and soul, a space where community spirit and physical strength grow side-by-side.”

The outdoor gym and skatepark at Mill Marsh Park are both free to use and open year-round, with the opening event on Saturday open to everyone, and residents encouraged to take part, spectate or simply learn more about the new facility.