Fitness
Obstacle Courses
Fun and effective outdoor obstacle course equipment
Once upon a time, physical activity was a vital part of human life. We relied upon a variety of movements - including running, walking, crawling, and climbing - to accomplish basic tasks. Today, the sedentary lifestyle of modern society means that we no longer use our bodies the way our ancestors once did. KOMPAN offers a range of outdoor gym equipment for adults that encourages natural bodily movement, helping users reconnect with their primal instincts and improving physical fitness. Our outdoor obstacle course equipment offers fun and effective exercise opportunities for parks, recreational areas, and professional fitness institutions across the UK.
Obstacle courses for adults have risen in popularity since the early 2000s, with many exercisers now turning to obstacle courses for an effective, versatile workout. From woodland trails with nature-inspired wooden gym equipment to urban circuits, obstacle course equipment can be found in communities across the UK.
What is an obstacle course?
An obstacle course is a combination of individual obstacles that target various parts of the human body, resulting in a well-rounded physical and cognitive challenge that can help improve strength, speed, agility, and confidence.
Various forms of obstacle training have been recorded throughout history. However, the first appearance of a permanent, set obstacle course can be traced back to the French navy in the early 20th century. In preparation for battle, soldiers trained on a ‘parcours du combattant’ to improve their physical and cognitive endurance. Troops had to overcome outdoor obstacle course equipment such as ropes, walls, and balance beams. This training technique was soon picked up by the US military, who developed their own obstacle course parts to be used by their armies throughout both world wars.
Years have passed since then, but the fact remains the same – outdoor obstacle course equipment provides an effective challenge that can improve both physical and cognitive strength.
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What are the benefits of outdoor obstacle course equipment?
Physical Benefits
Strength: The varied nature of obstacle course equipment means that by the end of the activity, users should have received a well-rounded, full-body workout. The compound movements required to tackle obstacles such as rope walls and jump pods provide a fantastic way to improve overall strength.
Endurance: Outdoor obstacle course equipment offers a great opportunity for users to improve their endurance levels. The various tasks faced along an obstacle course require both physical and mental stamina, making them incredibly demanding on the user. Varying climates can add an additional level of challenge - from cold, blustery winds to hot, sweaty sunshine. Designed to push users to their limits, obstacle courses can help people realise just how much they can endure.
Agility: One of the most exciting parts of an obstacle course is that participants rarely know what to expect. Obstacle course parts can vary greatly, from hurdles to overhead ladders, meaning that users need to think on their feet. This helps to improve both physical and mental agility. As agility increases, users should be able to overcome challenges more efficiently - both on and off the obstacle course.
Cognitive Benefits
Confidence: There has been extensive research into the impact of exercise on confidence, with studies documenting that physical activity links to higher self-esteem. Obstacle course equipment offers a fun exercise activity that encourages users to work their bodies and brains to overcome challenges, creating a sense of achievement. As users progress with their fitness they should be able to complete obstacle courses faster and more efficiently, which can deliver a fantastic confidence boost.
Problem-Solving: One of the most interesting features of an obstacle course is that there may be more than one way to overcome each challenge. The ambiguity of certain obstacle course parts means that users are encouraged to think of creative solutions to progress, improving their problem-solving skills.
Social Benefits
Team Building: Outdoor obstacle course equipment provides fun and exciting opportunities for group exercise. A key feature of obstacle courses is that they offer a wide selection of challenges, meaning that while one user is jumping over hurdles, another may be shimmying over a balance beam. Depending on ability, users may require assistance from peers to overcome certain obstacle course parts. Completing an obstacle course challenge as a group can help encourage team building and community spirit between friends, colleagues, or even strangers. Obstacle courses can also encourage healthy competition between peers - especially with the addition of an outdoor gym timer.
How to choose the right obstacle course parts for your setting
Who is it for?: Firstly, who is the equipment for? A fitness site designed for professional athletes is bound to feature different obstacle course parts to an active ageing site for the elderly. Plan your design around your users, considering what their goals are and how your obstacle course equipment can help them achieve these goals. Building an obstacle course for adults in their 20s who wish to improve overall strength? Select equipment that requires compound movements, such as vertical walls and hurdles. Installing outdoor exercise equipment for a retirement village that wants to support mobility? Try balance-based obstacles, for example a surface challenge. KOMPAN’s extensive range of outdoor fitness equipment enables you to easily craft a bespoke obstacle course that fits your users’ requirements.
Where will it be installed?: Another consideration is whether you will be installing obstacle course equipment inside or outside. While all equipment needs to be constructed in a way that is safe and supportive for the user, indoor obstacle courses are protected from the elements and do not necessarily need to be weather-proof. However, due to its large size most obstacle course equipment is designed for outdoor use. As such, it’s vital that the equipment you install can withstand harsh climates! All KOMPAN fitness equipment is built with robust, hardwearing materials that are designed to last the long haul - whether you’re installing a course in the North Pole or the Sahara Desert.
Looking to install outdoor obstacle course equipment?
Installing outdoor obstacle course equipment is a great way to provide an engaging and challenging workout for your community. Obstacle courses can help users build physical and cognitive strength, improve endurance, and re-connect with the natural movements human bodies were once so used to doing.
If you want to learn more about our outdoor fitness offering - including obstacle courses, outdoor calisthenics equipment, cardiovascular equipment and outdoor weightlifting equipment - then give us a call on 01908 201002. Our expert team would love to have a chat!
Frequently asked questions about obstacle courses for adults
How long should I spend on obstacle course equipment?
This is very much up to you. It really depends on the number of features available and your fitness level. You can always go around two, three, four times - or more! You can break away for a sprint or a short run and then return to the obstacles. The choice is yours. However, we recommend that - as with all training regimes - you set a reasonable target that can be adjusted to find the perfect level for development.
What's the minimum recommended amount of obstacle course equipment for a site?
You need to have at least five different activities to ensure you cover the basics. You'll require outdoor obstacle course equipment that meets the challenges of balance, jumping, crawling, climbing and overhead exercises.
How many people can participate at the same time?
Obstacle courses for adults can accommodate numerous participants at once. You can stagger start times, and as long as you agree which direction the challenge should be attempted, it should be a smooth operation.
Do you have to be in a group to use outdoor obstacle course equipment?
Of course you can set your own individual challenges, but obstacle courses are generally more enjoyable when shared with others.
Explore our outdoor fitness equipment
Our outdoor fitness equipment is divided into ten overall categories. Explore them below.
