Sun & Strength at the Y

Muscatine Y’s Outdoor Gym Opens for 2nd Season

By Tina Roth People looking to put in a satisfying strength workout at the Muscatine Community Y may want to add one more thing to their gym bag – sunblock . With the addition of the outdoor gym area there is another option for completing your workouts .

The brainchild of the Muscatine YMCA executive director, Bret Olson, the outdoor facility debuted last June and remained in operation until early November . He anticipates plenty of active users in the gym’s second season .

Olson had had the idea in the back of his head for some time after noting such outdoor gyms when he visited perpetually sunny California . Not deterred by Iowa climate, he felt such a facility could still have a place at the Muscatine Y . The arrival of the COVID 19 pandemic fast tracked the project .

“COVID hit and really changed the comfort level and patterns of how our members were utilizing the Y,” explained Olson .

While the restrictions and reservations of the pandemic have eased, Olson is confident the outdoor space will continue to be a popular option .

“Who doesn’t want to be outside on a beautiful Iowa day?” he said . “Our goal is to get a good eight months use out of it . ”

Olson also believes it has been instrumental in encouraging more young people to visit the Y, as high school and college-age members were the largest users of the gym, in addition to attracting and retaining members . “Younger people really love being outside,” he noted . “They are just more willing to work out in varying temperatures .”

The outdoor gym has provided more value to Y members by transitioning an worn, little-used basketball court into a state-of-theart space . The installation of fencing, field turf and lighting along with a drinking fountain, bench and trash receptacles, was all it took to create a home for the $30,000 Hammer Strength unit .

“It was actually very easy and cost effective for us to do as we had a space with walls on three sides and already concreted,” said Olson .

The self-contained outdoor fitness station includes a variety of strength and cardio equipment and work out options, including medicine and wall balls, kettlebells, resistance bands, and Olympic bars and weights . Additionally, three Olympic stations are attached to the unit . Olson noted that the indoor workout areas can at times became very crowded and the outdoor area has alleviated some of the space crunch . The outdoor gym has also allowed the Y to add some workout options that were just not practical indoors because of their size and/or space requirements .

“People really love the battle ropes and flipping tires,” commented Olson .

The small detail of our extreme Iowa winters has been a no issue . The equipment was simply packed away in the unit which remained outdoors – dormant and waiting for spring and the gym enthusiasts to return .

“You just shut the door with all the equipment inside, and it is an airtight compartment,” explained Olson, who noted that a few of the inflatable components were stored inside during the severely cold months .

“Hammer Strength’s number one customer is the military,” he stressed . “If it survives the test for them – they drop this unit into remote locations in all climate types – I think it will survive in Iowa .”

“It really is a beautiful space,” he added . “It sets us apart, too . We are the first Y in Iowa with a permanent space offered for an outdoor gym .”

As they prepare for the unit’s second season, the Y will be considering feedback from the public and anticipates adding to the work out repertoire .

“It is just one more opportunity to change up your work outs,” Olson concluded . n

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