GETTING fit in the fresh air is now a breeze after outdoor gyms were installed in two Basingstoke parks.

Two new outdoor gym trails at Chineham Park and Tewkesbury Close open space, both in Popley, have been provided by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council after residents called for more opportunities to get fit.

The council consulted with local residents last October to get an idea of what people wanted to be made available, and the most popular concept was a trail of outdoor gym equipment around both parks.

The new trails were officially launched at an event at Chineham Park, off Popley Way, where members of the Chineham Running Club were on hand to help people unsure of how to use the equipment and share some fitness tips.

The council’s Cabinet member for partnerships, Councillor Cathy Osselton, said: “This new gym equipment is aimed at helping residents to get outdoors and active at a time to suit them and for free.

“Having access to sports and fitness activities plays a key role in improving health and wellbeing in the borough so I hope that residents will use these trails to train or set themselves fitness challenges.”