Putting the Out in Workout

Toss aside your concept of going to the gym as a tedious chore that involves an indoor treadmill, a magazine, and 30 minutes of boredom.

With the weather (hopefully) turning warm and pleasant for the spring, is offering the opportunity for outdoor workouts with the creation of the all-new “TransFit Park.”

The facility, which will be located behind the gym in Carousel Village, will feature outdoor workout equipment, including mats, pull-up bars, a sand pit, monkey bars, climbing ropes, nets, and more.

Transcend Fitness owner Tommy Coates, who took over the facility about four months ago, said he’s excited to offer the unique opportunity for outdoor group exercise. Members can also use the outside equipment individually to create their own workout.

“We have the space to do it and we want to utilize it,” Coates said. Behind Transcend Fitness are several acres of open space. Plus, behind the field, is an animal farm with a .7-mile loop around it. Coates has permission to use the loop, which provides views of animals like llamas, goats, and emus.

“We’re really excited because it’s going to be cool to get outside,” said Transcend Fitness Director Jessi Belmont.

Coates said he’s in the process of prepping the equipment for TransFit Park. Much of the equipment is made from everyday objects, like tires and ropes, to create an “Army ranger style” workout, he explained.

The TransFit group exercise class, which the gym is known for, is based around functional movement to create total body fitness, Coates explained. “It taps into so many body needs that the result is absolute fitness,” he said.

In addition to offering its TransFit class outside, the gym plans to have boot camp and other group exercise offerings outdoors at TransFit Park, weather permitting.

“It’s so hard to convince people to come to the gym anyway. On a nice day, who wants to be inside all day?” Belmont said.  With the opening of TransFit Park, members won’t be limited to indoor workouts only, she said.

“It’s giving people that motivation to be at the gym and want to be healthy and live a better life,” she said.

While the sand pit has been created at TransFit Park and some group exercise classes have been moved outdoors over the past few weeks, creation of the park isn't complete. But Coates said he plans to have it open and ready within the coming weeks.

For more information on Transcend Fitness, visit www.transcendfit.net.