About the ParkFit Project

About the ParkFit Project

About two summers ago, as I became interested in body-weight/calisthenic fitness I found that New York City lacks an accurate list of its park-based fitness inventory. Performing cursory web searches in the hope of finding a new pull up bar or set of parallel bars may bring you an article here or there about a particular spot, but as of the present moment there is no place to find a comprehensive source compilation of locations.

Through my readings, wanderings and conversations I have begun to find a number of these sites throughout the city and will be documenting them through this blog. My goal is to primarily document park-based workout spots and fitness equipment. All locations will be added as pins to the Google Map contained on the site. I will also add my knowledge of running tracks and other outdoor workout spots that I deem relevant. Information garnered from assorted websites may be used to further provide information to my readers.

While I hope that at some point this site will host a comprehensive review of all outdoor fitness equipment in the city, at the present time the information contained herein will be limited to my personal knowledge which admittedly contains a strict geographic bias to Manhattan. I most certainly welcome all emails and will happily post new verifiable information as it is provided to me.

To health, fitness and pushing limits,

- The Skyhopper








Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Riverside Park - Traveling Rings

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/63949861

The Traveling Rings or Swinging Rings are New York City's most unique and unconventional outdoor workout equipment. The facility located at the bottom most tier of Riverside Park at approximately 105th street. It is comprised of a large sandbox containing two metal arched frames. Each frame has a series of 10 rings which are spaced approximately 5-8 feet apart from one another and about 6 feet off the ground.

The goal is to be able to swing from one ring to the next using a combination of strength and technique. On any given late-Summer afternoon you will find acrobatic individuals demonstrating skilled and artistic methods for crossing the rings and back. A simple youtube.com search will provide you with numerous examples of what is possible on these rings.


The second set of rings is much smaller and lower presumably designed for children.


While the rings are not necessarily designated for conventional bodyweight strength workouts it is possible to perform pullups, front levers, hanging leg raises and other bodyweight exercises on them. Do bear in mind that you will have to use the full extent of your wingspan in order to grab both adult rings at once. Working out on the children's rings may be somewhat easier although most adults will have to bend their knees in if they wish to workout. Of course please be kind and get out of the way if the kids are practicing there.

NOTE: Using climbing chalk will greatly enhance your experience working out or swinging from these rings and I highly advise using it.