Outdoor Fitness
Obstacle Courses
Obstacle Courses
Survival of the Fittest
Running, walking, jumping, crawling, and climbing are all natural activities. The phrase ‘survival of the fittest’ was coined from fact, not fiction. Unfortunately, modern life has made us static and sedentary, spending much of our time in front of a computer while other technological developments have also eroded our physical activity. Obstacle courses take us back to our roots inviting us to move naturally for increased health and happiness. They are a challenge from the moment you start, a contest of you against yourself until you get to the end.
An obstacle course is not just a random collection of activities. The approach must be planned and considered to ensure that the physical variety of exercises offers the most benefit in attaining the desired result. For instance, your ability may be compromised if your arms have been tasked with too much work right before reaching the Double Turbo Challenge. Choose from the ever-growing products the features you would like to see included and then speak with one of our experts for the most effective layout.
The new modern obstacle course is designed for fun for people of many ages and abilities, challenging and developing both mental and physical strength. Scalable difficulty levels make it work for young and old and strong and unfit. One obstacle course. One objective. Many routes to get there.
If you are searching for obstacle courses for children, check out our fitness playgrounds.
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Frequently asked questions about our Obstacle Courses
What is the maximum time you can be on an obstacle course?
This is very much up to you. It really depends on the number of features and fitness level and you can always go around two, three, four times. You can break away for a sprint or a short run and then return to the obstacles – it’s your choice. However, we recommend that, as with all training regimes, that you set a reasonable target that can be adjusted to find the perfect level for development.
What is the minimum equipment requirement that makes sense?
You need to have five different activities to ensure you cover the basics. You'll require equipment to meet the challenges of balance, jumping, crawling, climbing and overhead exercises.
How many people can participate at the same time?
Regardless of its size, the obstacle course can accommodate numerous participants – you can stagger start times and as long as you agree which direction the challenge should be attempted, it should be a smooth operation.
Do you have to be part of a team or club to take part?
Of course you can set your own individual challenge, but exercise is generally more enjoyable when it is shared with others.
What are the benefits of outdoor obstacle course equipment?
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Strength: The varied nature of obstacle course equipment means that by the end of the activity, users should have received a well-rounded, full-body workout. The compound movements required to tackle obstacles such as rope walls and jump pods provide a fantastic way to improve overall strength.
Endurance: Outdoor obstacle course equipment offers a great opportunity for users to improve their endurance levels. The various tasks faced along an obstacle course require both physical and mental stamina, making them incredibly demanding on the user. Varying climates can add an additional level of challenge - from cold, blustery winds to hot, sweaty sunshine. Designed to push users to their limits, obstacle courses can help people realise just how much they can endure.
Agility: One of the most exciting parts of an obstacle course is that participants rarely know what to expect. Obstacle course parts can vary greatly, from hurdles to overhead ladders, meaning that users need to think on their feet. This helps to improve both physical and mental agility. As agility increases, users should be able to overcome challenges more efficiently - both on and off the obstacle course.
COGNITIVE BENEFITS
Confidence: There has been extensive research into the impact of exercise on confidence, with studies documenting that physical activity links to higher self-esteem. Obstacle course equipment offers a fun exercise activity that encourages users to work their bodies and brains to overcome challenges, creating a sense of achievement. As users progress with their fitness they should be able to complete obstacle courses faster and more efficiently, which can deliver a fantastic confidence boost.
Problem-Solving: One of the most interesting features of an obstacle course is that there may be more than one way to overcome each challenge. The ambiguity of certain obstacle course parts means that users are encouraged to think of creative solutions to progress, improving their problem-solving skills.
SOCIAL BENEFITS
Team Building: Outdoor obstacle course equipment provides fun and exciting opportunities for group exercise. A key feature of obstacle courses is that they offer a wide selection of challenges, meaning that while one user is jumping over hurdles, another may be shimmying over a balance beam. Depending on ability, users may require assistance from peers to overcome certain obstacle course parts. Completing an obstacle course challenge as a group can help encourage team building and community spirit between friends, colleagues, or even strangers. Obstacle courses can also encourage healthy competition between peers - especially with the addition of an outdoor gym timer.
How to choose the right obstacle course parts for your setting
Who is it for?: Firstly, who is the equipment for? A fitness site designed for professional athletes is bound to feature different obstacle course parts to an active ageing site for the elderly. Plan your design around your users, considering what their goals are and how your obstacle course equipment can help them achieve these goals. Building an obstacle course for adults in their 20s who wish to improve overall strength? Select equipment that requires compound movements, such as vertical walls and hurdles. Installing outdoor exercise equipment for a retirement village that wants to support mobility? Try balance-based obstacles, for example a surface challenge. KOMPAN’s extensive range of outdoor fitness equipment enables you to easily craft a bespoke obstacle course that fits your users’ requirements.
Where will it be installed?: Another consideration is whether you will be installing obstacle course equipment inside or outside. While all equipment needs to be constructed in a way that is safe and supportive for the user, indoor obstacle courses are protected from the elements and do not necessarily need to be weather-proof. However, due to its large size most obstacle course equipment is designed for outdoor use. As such, it’s vital that the equipment you install can withstand harsh climates! All KOMPAN fitness equipment is built with robust, hardwearing materials that are designed to last the long haul - whether you’re installing a course in the North Pole or the Sahara Desert.
Looking to install outdoor obstacle course equipment?
Installing outdoor obstacle course equipment is a great way to provide an engaging and challenging workout for your community. Obstacle courses can help users build physical and cognitive strength, improve endurance, and re-connect with the natural movements human bodies were once so used to doing.
If you want to learn more about our outdoor fitness offering - including obstacle courses, outdoor calisthenics equipment, cardiovascular equipment and outdoor weightlifting equipment
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