Developed by not-for-profit organisation Raza Sana and funded by Gymbox and Haringey Council, the 120m² bar park provides a community space where people of all ages and abilities can congregate to socialise, exercise and practise everything from low-impact routines to the popular fitness practice, calisthenics.
This week’s launch of the street gym will also be accompanied by a summer-long activation programme, with free, accessible and inclusive exercise classes – as taught by Gymbox professionals – taking place three times a week.
The street gym and its associated summer activity programme looks to encourage all residents to live a healthier, confident and more fulfilling lifestyle, alongside providing both physical and mental health benefits through movement.
Speaking after the official launch event, Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Ajda Ovat, commented:
I’m delighted Northumberland Park residents of all ages and abilities will be able to benefit from this readily accessible and inclusive street gym right outside our brilliant youth provision Project2020 here at Kenneth Robbins House.
With Communities sitting within my portfolio, this new space will act as a focal point for the community and bring people together to engage and interact with one another.
As one of the councillors for this ward as well, I know this leisure provision is much needed for the local community and will help improve the physical health and mental wellbeing of our N17 residents.
My thanks go out to our partners GymBox, Raza Sana and Vivo Barefoot for installing this street gym that will help foster a vibrant and active community.
Cllr Ovat was joined at the official launch event by the Deputy Leader of Haringey Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Sarah Williams, the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, Cllr Zena Brabazon, and fellow Northumberland Park ward councillor, John Bevan.
Juan Lopez, the Founder and Director of Raza Sana, said:
The launch of the Northumberland Park Street Gym is a significant milestone in our mission to transform lives through fitness and community engagement.
This project is particularly close to my heart as I once stood where many of these young people are now; I understand the challenges they face and the potential they hold.
We’re immensely grateful to Haringey Council and Gymbox for their support in bringing this vision to life and cannot wait to bring this to the local community.
Gymbox CEO Marc Diaper met Juan at Raza Sana through their partnership work with Steel Warriors – a charity that takes knives from London’s streets and recycles the steel to make outdoor calisthenics gyms.
Diaper stated:
We had been reaching out to many local councils to further our investment in local park gyms and improve facilities. We are thrilled that Haringey Council responded and to be working together with Juan again.
Fitness can and should be an accessible space for all, helping everyone to unlock their full potential.
We’re confident that through our partnership with Raza Sana, the street gym at Northumberland Park will truly help to transform lives.
Hannah Curtis Nunn, Group Fitness Director of Gymbox, added:
As somebody who has worked her way up through the fitness industry, it’s incredibly exciting to be part of something that widens the net of opportunities – especially those who may not have the easiest path to access.
Seeing this project come to life has been absolutely fantastic. We hope that the programme as a whole has a profoundly positive effect and does change lives.
Classes are running every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the Northumberland Park Street Gym.
Tuesdays:
12noon-1pm: Over 50s’ Stretching & Mobility
6pm-7pm: Adult calisthenics
Thursdays:
4pm-7pm: Youth calisthenics
Saturdays:
12noon-2pm: Community/Family Basic Exercise
For more information on class schedules and how to get involved, local residents are encouraged to contact Raza Sana.
