FINDING a way to offer fitness to people of all ages, University of Newcastle researchers have launched a free app that can be used for exercise across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie parks.
Funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia with support from City of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie City Council, the Ecofitt app guides users across 16 outdoor gyms located across the council areas.
UON's Centre for Active Living and Learning professor and lead researcher Ron Plotnikoff said the app offers four workout intensities, catering to all fitness levels and abilities.
"It's tailor-made to each of the parks with a range of strength and aerobic exercises. If people are disabled or have injuries it allows for that too," he said.
"There are video demonstrations and instructions for every exercise. You can even build your own workout - both at the parks or within your own home without needing any special equipment."
With more than half of Australians failing to meet aerobic exercise guidelines, professor Plotnikoff said the app was designed to encourage people to get moving.
"We focused on strength training in the Ecofit app because it offers a range of extensive benefits. Strength based workouts are beneficial for our overall physical and mental health, and they also have specific benefits for improving diabetes management and other chronic disease risks," he said.
"But despite these benefits, research tells us a lot of people aren't engaging in strength training. This is often due to perceived cost, a lack of knowledge, and a lack of confidence."
He said with the app being free, he hoped it encouraged people to engage in a new opportunity
"Not everyone can afford fitness trainers or gym memberships. This is a free app people can download. You just need you and your smartphone and off you go," he said.
The app can be downloaded on the Apple app store, Google Library or by visiting the university website.
Mr Plotnikoff said its as easy as downloading it, heading to the park you want to workout at and punching in your location,
"It will tell you what to do and has motivational settings like goals and fitness tests to see how you're going," he said.
"The whole idea is just to try to get people to be more active."
