For too long, people living in rural areas have struggled to find a gym within easy reach. Between 15 and 30 km journeys to the nearest gym and mobility constraints, many give up, allowing a sedentary lifestyle and weight gain to set in. On the other hand, in urban areas, expensive memberships and often inflexible club opening hours close the door to a large number of city dwellers who are eager to exercise outdoors.
L’rural and urban fitness areadesigned by Herkules, is the ideal solution: accessible 24 hours a day, free of charge and set up in the heart of villages and city parks alike, it breaks down geographical and financial barriers. A real place for life and intergenerational encounters in rural areas, it revitalizes urban spaces by offering a safe environment for all levels of fitness.
In this article, we look at how this innovative concept provides a concrete response to the challenge of rural isolation, preventing overweight and social malaise while reinventing the free pleasure of outdoor sport for city dwellers.
In rural areas, the rural and urban fitness area breaks down isolation
Gym too far, motivation lost
In many villages, the only gym is often 15-30 km away, which means a 20-40 minute drive: a major obstacle for those who don’t have a car or who work early in the morning. In winter, with the risk of icy or muddy roads, motivation plummets: recent studies show that over 40% of people living in rural areas give up any physical activity for lack of nearby facilities.¹
The direct consequence is an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, which is a major factor in weight gain, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems. In some rural départements, almost 30% of the adult population is overweight, compared with a national average of 21%.² Geographical remoteness and the lack of nearby solutions fuel a vicious circle in which giving up exercise reinforces feelings of isolation.
Rural and urban fitness areas as new places to live
Therural and urban fitness area completely rethinks access to sport: set up in the heart of villages, a stone’s throw from the town hall, school or village center, it becomes a real point of life. Accessible to all without subscription, it invites young people to challenge themselves after class and seniors to keep fit in the fresh air.
- Intergenerational meetings In the mornings, retirees use the balance and mobility equipment, while middle-schoolers enjoy renfo circuits after school.
- Local solidarity: “fitness pairs” form naturally, with an experienced resident mentoring a beginner neighbor, thus strengthening social ties.
- Community events: free workshops (Nordic walking, outdoor yoga) organized by the town hall or a local sports association attract up to 50 people per session, bringing life back into the village.
More than just a sports area, the Herkules area becomes an informal place of exchange: people meet up to chat, have a coffee after exercise, exchange energy recovery recipes…
Physical and mental benefits
The impact on health is measurable:
- Reduced cardiovascular risk 30 minutes of regular circuit-training reduces the risk of hypertension by 20%.
- Sustainable weight loss When combined with appropriate nutrition, outdoor activity leads to an average 5% reduction in body weight over six months.
- Improved mental health Being outdoors, surrounded by greenery, reduces stress by 30% and boosts overall sense of well-being.
In rural areas, the benefits are twofold: on the one hand, they compensate for the lack of indoor facilities, and on the other, they create a collective ritual. Inhabitants adopt a real weekly “fitness rhythm”, culminating in an intergenerational Sunday get-together where everyone shares their progress and tips.
In conclusion, for our countryside in search of dynamism and cohesion, therural and urban fitness area is more than just a piece of equipment: it’s the catalyst for a more active, healthier and more united local life.
The urban fitness area reinvents the free pleasure of sport
Free and inclusive thanks to the rural and urban fitness area
In the city, one of the main obstacles to sporting activity remains the cost of gym memberships: a monthly subscription ranges from €30 to €60, not including registration fees and optional extras (group classes, coaching). For many people, especially students, young professionals and low-income families, this budget represents a real obstacle.
L’rural and urban fitness areainstalled in municipal parks and green spaces, removes this barrier: it’s 100% free and accessible 24 hours a day. The result:
- A 45% increase in the number of visitors to outdoor facilities in the metropolises studied between 2022 and 2024.
- A diversification of user profiles: 35% students, 25% working executives, 20% seniors and 20% families.
By opening up access to sport to everyone, regardless of schedule or budget, the fitness area reinforces social inclusion and enables residents of all ages and socio-professional categories to come together around the same objective: well-being through movement.
Exercises for all levels in the rural and urban fitness area
The major advantage of therural and urban fitness area lies in its modularity: each station – pull-up bars, dips bench, squat racks, step modules – lends itself equally well to high-intensity sessions or gentle exercises.
- Urban HIIT: in less than 20 minutes, you can link 5 to 6 exercises (push-ups, mountain climbers, jump squats) in intervals of 30s of work for 15s of rest, energizing the heart of your lunch break.
- Gentle” sequences: stretching, sheathing and postural strengthening, ideal for seniors or beginners, with low-impact exercises for the joints.
- Seasonal programs: in summer, opt for early-morning sessions to take advantage of the cooler weather and limit exposure to the sun; in winter, combine dynamic warm-ups and sheathing exercises to generate enough body heat before starting more static movements.
Thanks to explanatory panels and QR-codes linking to video tutorials, users can choose their own program, whatever their level, and vary the pleasures to their heart’s content.
Atmosphere, well-being and quality of life
Beyond the purely sporting aspect, therural and urban fitness area offers a pleasant setting that transforms effort into a moment of relaxation:
- The “vitamin D” effect: exercising outdoors increases vitamin D synthesis by 25% compared to an enclosed room, helping to boost the immune system and mood.
- Contact with nature: many sites are located close to wooded areas or waterways, offering a soothing environment that helps reduce stress (-30% perceived stress).
- Safety and conviviality: appropriate lighting, a surveillance camera and the regular presence of users create a feeling of tranquillity, even at off-peak times.
City dwellers testify: “I love going to the Herkules area after my telecommuting day; it’s become my relaxation ritual, where I meet colleagues and neighbors alike,” confides Clara, 34, a user in Lyon.
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Set up your rural and urban fitness area
Installing a rural or urban fitness area requires strategic thinking to ensure both the equipment’s effectiveness and its appropriation by local residents. Here are the three key steps to a successful project.
Strategic choice of location
1. In rural areas
Proximity to the heart of the village: choose a location less than 500 m from services (town hall, school, grocery store) to maximize footfall.
Gentle access: create a safe path for pedestrians and cyclists, with a small shelter to protect equipment and provide shade in summer.
Visibility and landscape integration: install the area in an area that is already frequented, such as the village square or community park, and choose a stable surface (artificial turf or shock-absorbing ground) for a harmonious contrast.
2. In urban environments
Under-exploited areas: wasteland, canal banks or pedestrian plazas can become real assets; the important thing is to ensure a regular flow of passers-by.
24-hour accessibility: make sure the area is well-lit and, if necessary, enclosed by a programmable gate if there are night-time nuisances.
Connections to soft transport: place the area close to a metro or streetcar station, or a bike park, for easy access without a car.
Safety, maintenance and lighting
- Standards and insurance
- Choose equipment that complies with standard EN 16630 (outdoor fitness equipment), with 5-year anti-corrosion warranties.
- Check your local authority’s insurance to cover civil liability in the event of an accident.
- Intelligent lighting
- Install motion-sensing LED streetlights to make the area safer in the evening, while controlling energy consumption.
- Provide spot lighting on the main apparatus (dips, pull-up bars) to avoid shadows.
- Preventive maintenance plan
- Establish a quarterly schedule for checking: tightening fasteners, lubricating joints and cleaning contact surfaces.
- Set up a QR-code reporting application so that users can alert the town hall or manager of any malfunctions.
Mobilizing the community and its stakeholders
To ensure the success of a rural and urban fitness area, it’s crucial to involve all local stakeholders from the design stage and throughout the life of the project.
Local partnerships to animate the space
- Sports and cultural associations
Invite gym, yoga or Nordic walking clubs to offer on-site classes: their expertise guarantees varied sessions, attracts new audiences and enhances therural and urban fitness area as a true community hub. - Shops and craftsmen
Cross-loyalty cards: the local café offers a detox juice at a preferential rate to area users, in exchange for visibility on information panels. A local market gardener can set up a temporary mini-grocery to promote short-distance sales and healthy eating after exercise. - Schools and retirement homes
Create a weekly intergenerational program: students accompany senior citizens in gentle exercises, encouraging the transmission of knowledge and strengthening social ties.
Targeted financing and subsidies
- Departmental and regional subsidies
Funds from the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) and rural revitalization programs offer assistance to local authorities setting up local sports facilities. A well-argued application (including health impact studies and a provisional budget) increases your chances of obtaining funding to between 30% and 50% of the total cost. - Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
Offer to finance a local company (sawmill, metallurgy, mass retail) in exchange for discreet branding and a clear commitment to CSR. The PPP model reduces the initial public investment and ensures shared maintenance.
Cross-testimonials: Coaches and users of the rural and urban fitness area
To illustrate in concrete terms the impact of therural and urban fitness area, let’s discover the complementary points of view of a mayor, a sports coach and a local user.
Feedback from a sports coach – M. Youssouf, health and well-being coordinator
“I intervene every Tuesday morning and Thursday evening in the rural and urban fitness area of Saint-Paul en Cornillon. What strikes me:
- Diverse profiles – from truckers on their lunch break to retirees looking for a gentle workout.
- Motivation – the absence of financial barriers and the friendly atmosphere create a very different climate from that of traditional halls.
- Visible results – in three months, 70% of regular participants report improved posture and endurance.”
According to Mr. Youssouf, the outdoor and free nature of therural and urban fitness area amplifies the commitment: “We go beyond the simple session to build a healthy ritual.”
User opinion – Sophie, 27, biology student
“I discovered the rural and urban fitness area near my parents’ home last summer. Without a car, I couldn’t get to the gym 20 km away; here, I train three times a week:
- HIIT sessions to keep in shape before university starts.
- Relaxing with my friends, we end the session with a picnic.
- A feeling of safety, even at the end of the day, thanks to the lighting and the presence of other athletes.
For Sophie, this free equipment has changed her vision of sport: “I’m no longer running after time or budget, but enjoying the great outdoors.”
Conclusion
In short, therural and urban fitness area is much more than just a sports facility: it’s a real lever for public health and social cohesion.
- In rural areas, it breaks down geographical barriers, offering isolated residents a close, unencumbered place where they can combat sedentary lifestyles, overweight and isolation.
- In an urban environment, it reinvents free sport, inviting everyone to enjoy the great outdoors, benefit from vitamin D and practice without budget constraints.
Whether it’s a village of just a few hundred souls, or a densely populated downtown area, therural and urban fitness area adapts and brings people together. Its 24-hour accessibility, modularity and zero cost to the user make it an equitable and sustainable solution, ready to energize your territory.
Mayors, heads of associations and local decision-makers, don’t let this opportunity pass you by: install a Herkules fitness area today to transform your community into an active and supportive living space.
Contact our team for a personalized diagnosis and download our detailed brochure to find out more about our offers and available subsidies.
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