Now that the weather is getting warmer, one might be inclined to take her fitness program to the great outdoors to see just what a winter spent in the gym has done besides providing good looks.
Functional fitness is a measure of how well you are able to cope with your environment - this includes twisting lids off jars as well as being able to hold on for dear life should you fancy yourself as a "Survivor" type.
Unbeknownst to many, you can try your skills out for free at the shoreline park behind the Richmond County Ball Park. This "park" parallels the drive leading to the ferry parking area from Jersey Street. Besides affording a spectacular view of Manhattan, and a spectacular but not as pleasing view of the Bayonne gas tank farm, it offers a meandering path that has been landscaped with tall grasses and a ten station fitness station.
The fitness station begins about 100 feet from the September 11, 2001 memorial. Posted signs give general information on warming up, cooling down, and specific information on exercises to perform at each station. Unfortunately, there is one caveat. The stations are not laid out in the manner presented by the signs, nor are the signs placed near the equipment.
When we first ventured onto this path, we read the signage, walked a bit further on and promptly forgot what to do at each site. However, playful imagination stepped in and we had a good time anyway, delighted in the fact that there was adult sized equipment in the neighborhood. This was, after all, a Sunday afternoon walk and not a planned fitness excursion.
After a few return trips to the park, the latest with pen, notebook, and camera, I've listed the equipment in the order of appearance starting from the ferry terminal side:
1. Vertical ladder (images right) - test out your abdominals by seeing how often you can lift your legs parallel to the ground or bring your knees to your chest.
2. Stretch Pole - give your legs- specifically your hamstrings and quads a good stretch.
3. Beam Run - Test your agility and jumping over obstacles.
4. Parallel Bars - Just how strong is your upper body anyway? Can you straight arm it across the length of the bars?
5. Jump Touch - Set a height and try to jump up to it.
6. Balance Beam - Think about walking this one eyes shut if it doesn't provide a sufficient challenge.
7. Sit Up Bench - Need I say more?
8. Spring Up - Think "getting out of the pool."
9. Pull Up - Okay, if this is hard, try chin ups.
10. Challenge Ladder - This is where your brachiating talents will shine. . . or not. Trying to perform hand over hands will clearly let you know if your gym workout is working or if you really should lose those extra pounds.
Lastly, let me not forget my favorite hobby, counting steps. After you have huffed and puffed through the course, you can expect to clock in a round trip of just under 4,000 Natasha steps from Victory Blvd. and Bay St. Not too shabby for a totally free work out.
- S = Start
P = Parcourse warmup
T = 10th Station/turnaround
 The Program 
Warm Up Chart Body Checks (explain how to recognize and avoid over-exertion) |
 Vertical Ladder (1) and Stretch Pole (2)  Beam Run (3)  Parallel Bars (4)  Balance Beam (6)  The Sit Up Bench (7)  Spring Up (8) and Pull Up (9) Bars  Challenge Ladder (10) (and turnaround point)  Course view from turnaround point, including Jump Touch (5) in background |