Course Content
Introduction
Please review this information prior to starting the course.
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Get Started Here
Our Story
Download the Training Manual
1. Current State of Health and Fitness
Learning objectives: -- Understand current statistics around physical fitness, inactivity and obesity within the US and worldwide -- Gain an understanding of how obesity and disease impact healthcare costs and overall public health -- Understand how FitLot Outdoor Fitness Parks can be part of the solution
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Current State of Health and Fitness
2. History and Benefits of Outdoor Fitness
Learning objectives: -- Understand the history of outdoor fitness and outdoor fitness parks -- Describe the health benefits of exercising outdoors -- Explain the potential impact of accessible green space and outdoor fitness parks on public health and communities
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History and Benefits of Outdoor Fitness
Personal Health Benefits
Community and Public Health Benefits
3. Group Training in Public Spaces
Learning objectives: -- Understand the benefits of exercising in groups -- Identify considerations for training in outdoor and public spaces -- Identify specific areas of concern for instructors leading classes safely in outdoor public spaces
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Group Training in Public Spaces: Intro
Considerations for Group Training in Outdoor and Public Spaces
4. Circuit Training Overview
Learning Objectives -- Understand the history behind circuit training programs -- Learn the benefits of circuit training, based on research -- Understand why circuit training is effective in a community class setting
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Circuit Training Overview
5. Review of Anatomy
Learning Objectives -- Reinforce the importance of a basic understanding of bones and muscles -- Review the basic joint actions and types of muscle contractions -- Review the anatomical planes and understand their utilization in exercise programming
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Review of Anatomy: Intro
Bones
The Spine
Muscles and Joints
FitLot Circuit Training: Foundational Movement Elements
6. Foundational Training Principles and Concepts
Learning Objectives -- Understand the basic components of physical fitness -- Explain basic principles of exercise programming -- Review select points of exercise physiology and the various energy pathways
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Components of Physical Fitness
Principles of Exercise Prescription
Summary of Energy System Pathways
7. Training Fundamentals
Learning Objectives -- Describe and demonstrate fundamental movements -- Understand the fundamental elements that are incorporated into FitLot Circuit Training classes -- Identify the 11 fixed stations of the outdoor fitness park structure and describe exercises that may be performed at each of them.
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Fundamental Movements
The FitLot Stations
8. FitKit Resistance Band Training
Learning Objectives -- Understand the FitKit Resistance Band System and how it can be incorporated into FitLot training -- Explain how the FitKit resistance bands, and other equipment utilizing anchor points, attach to the FitLot structure -- Understand existing research that supports the effectiveness of resistance band training -- Describe specific exercises that use the FitKit resistance bands
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FitKit Resistance Band System
FitKit Fundamentals
Helpful Resources for Trainers and Users
9. FitLot Circuit Training Program
Learning Objectives -- Understand FitLot Circuit Training Program methodology -- Understand how FitLot Circuit Training classes are organized and implemented -- Learn how to plan a FitLot Circuit Training class
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Planning Outdoor Fitness Park Programming
FitLot Circuit Training Class Format
Details of A FitLot Circuit Training Class
10. Coaching and Class Instruction
Learning Objectives -- Understand successful instruction techniques for teaching outdoor fitness classes -- Describe best practices for class execution regarding music, timing, vocal instruction, monitoring intensity, and class setup
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Getting Started
Class Execution
11. Considerations for Special Populations and Health Emergencies
Learning Objectives -- Understand the importance of pre-screening and health risk assessment procedures as part of the registration process -- Identify common conditions that may present special health and safety concerns in an outdoor fitness park class -- Identify special populations that may require extra attention and modifications during an outdoor fitness park class -- Describe environmental conditions that may arise when instructing outdoor fitness classes and how to handle them safely -- Identify emergency conditions and situations and explain corresponding appropriate action
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Considerations for Health Emergencies
Special Populations
Other Health Conditions
Appendices
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Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
References
FitLot Coaches Training Course
About Lesson

Outdoor exercise is gaining popularity, and for good reason. Training programs using outdoor fitness equipment can be kept simple, and routines can be flexible in order to accommodate a wide variety of fitness levels. Being outdoors is often perceived as “more fun” and may attract a wider range of users (Spears, 2017). From a financial perspective, outdoor fitness may be an affordable option when expensive gym memberships and classes are cost prohibitive. This can also benefit local trainers by allowing them to serve a broader spectrum of clients.

People working out at the Fitlot Outdoor Fitness Park in New Orleans, Louisiana

History

The benefits of nature to overall health and wellness is not a new idea. On the other hand, facilitating outdoor exercise using gym-like equipment is a relatively new concept. Fitness parks built for outdoor use are constructed of the same all-weather powder coated steel materials that are used for a typical children’s playground. 

The concept of outdoor gyms has gained popularity in Asia and Europe over the past several decades. In the 1960s and 1970s, “fitness trails” that were built throughout the United States and Europe were often referred to as outdoor gyms (Randall et al. 2008). The fitness trail, as seen below,  is quite different from the modern “Outdoor Fitness Park,” which clusters equipment together to resemble the conventional indoor exercise room. 

Fit Trail example instructions

Source: fittrail.com

Before hosting the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, China initiated a national fitness campaign, which committed over 20,000,000 square meters across the country to publicly accessible outdoor gyms (Olympic, 2008). Today, there are more than 600,000 pieces of outdoor equipment in China.

Chinese people working out in outdoor gyms

Source: https://thecityfix.com/blog/beijing-redefining-public-space-temple-heaven-mark-wessel/

The United Kingdom soon followed suit in 2012, recognizing that outdoor adult playground sites offered solutions to cost and accessibility obstacles, two common barriers to exercise for adults (Rise, 2012).

People working out in a UK outdoor fitness park

Source: https://www.tgogc.com/news-article/tgo-gyms-commercial-sponsorship-adidas

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