How To Choose Outdoor Gym Equipment For Schools
Investing in outdoor gym equipment is a powerful way for schools to promote physical activity, support pupil wellbeing, and reinforce healthy habits from an early age. Whether you’re upgrading an existing play space or creating a dedicated fitness zone, selecting the right equipment is key to ensuring long-term use, safety, and value.
Creative Play have helped hundreds of schools across the UK design and install outdoor gym spaces that align with their curriculum goals, site requirements, and budgets. This guide outlines the key considerations when choosing gym equipment for your school.
Why Install Outdoor Gym Equipment in Schools?
Outdoor gym equipment encourages children to:
- Improve cardiovascular health, strength, balance and coordination
- Develop resilience, confidence and teamwork
- Enjoy physical activity outside of structured PE lessons
Importantly, outdoor gym areas provide a free-to-use, low-pressure fitness environment that can be accessed during playtimes, after school, or even as part of a cross-curricular learning experience.
Key Considerations for Schools
1. Timber or Metal – Which Material Should You Choose?
We offer both timber and metal outdoor gym ranges, each with unique benefits:
Timber Gym Equipment
- Ideal for natural or traditional settings
- Complements green or rural surroundings
- Budget-friendly and highly durable
- Often preferred in primary school environments for a softer visual aesthetic
Metal Gym Equipment
- Offers a contemporary, sleek finish
- Suited to secondary schools, particularly in urban areas
Both types meet the same high safety and performance standards and can be installed on a variety of surfaces (grass, rubber mulch, wetpour). The right choice often depends on your site layout, design goals and overall aesthetic.
2. Who Will Be Using The Equipment?
Think about the age group and ability range of pupils. Some equipment is better suited to Key Stage 1 children still developing balance and gross motor skills, while other pieces are designed to challenge older pupils with greater coordination and strength.
We can advise on:
- Age-appropriate gym pieces for KS1, KS2, or mixed-year use
- Inclusive features for pupils with additional needs
- Double-use units for paired or group exercises
3. What Fitness Goals Are You Targeting?
Our gym equipment is designed to cover a broad range of fitness goals. Depending on your priorities, you may want to focus on:
- Cardiovascular health (e.g. Cross Trainer)
- Strength and muscle development (e.g. Chin-Up Bars)
- Balance and coordination (e.g. Balance Beams)
- Whole-body movement and flexibility (e.g. Trim Trail)
We can work with your PE lead or business manager to tailor the selection around curriculum links or wider wellbeing strategies.
4. How Much Space Do You Have?
We’ll help you make the most of your available space, whether you’re adding one or two gym units to an existing play area or creating a full-scale outdoor fitness trail.
All gym layouts are customisable, with options for:
- Compact zones for smaller schools
- Multi-station arrangements for whole-class use
- Linked trails for activity circuits
5. Installation And Surface Options
Our gym equipment can be installed onto a wide range of surfaces:
- Grass
- Artificial Grass
- Mulch
- Wetpour
We’ll guide you on what’s most suitable for your location, expected use, and budget.
6. Maintenance, Safety And Aftersales Support
We pride ourselves on providing equipment that’s built to last, backed by robust warranties and aftersales support. As with all our products, our gym equipment is:
- Fully safety-tested
- Easy to maintain
- Supported by post-installation guidance and inspection services
We’re here long after installation to ensure your investment continues delivering value year after year.
Outdoor Gym Equipment: Next Steps
If you’re considering outdoor gym equipment for your school, the best place to start is with a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll help you:
- Assess your space and needs
- Choose the right combination of equipment
- Design a layout that works for your pupils
- Plan for safe, smooth installation
With over 25 years’ experience designing and installing playground and fitness equipment for schools, Creative Play understand what makes a successful outdoor gym. Every piece we offer is designed to be fun, functional, and durable, supporting physical literacy for all ages and abilities.
Get Help Choosing The Best Outdoor Gym Equipment For Your School
With so much to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Speaking to a Play Advisor can help narrow down the decisions you need to make based on space, goals, and budget.
Get in touch today for expert guidance tailored to your specific needs and goals by calling 01244 375 627 or via the Contact Form
Further Reading: Check out our guide to Popular School Sports Equipment
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