A RATEPAYER has expressed disappointment with recently installed fitness equipment at William Ross Park in Cleveland, calling it a “total waste of taxpayers’ money”.
Frank Simms, who was eager to try out the new equipment, believes it is poorly designed and impractical for most users.
The new fitness equipment was part of a recent broader upgrade to William Ross Park, which included new children’s play equipment, pathways, and dedicated picnic areas.
The public fitness equipment includes a chest press, a wavy structure with a ring in the middle, pedal machine and two spinning wheels.
When examined closely, Mr Simms said the new equipment was riddled with impracticalities.
He found the chest press to be far too strong for most people to use. Without a way to adjust it, he described it as “a chest press that only Arnie Schwarzenegger could use”.
He also criticised the other pieces of equipment.
These included “two steering wheels that just spin”, with no adjustment for resistance, and “a childish game with a ring on a high wavy structure”, too high for any child to use.
Additionally, Mr Simms claimed that the pedal machine “required a two-metre-tall person to reach the pedals, similarly with no seat adjustment or resistance”.
Mr Simms suggested that a more practical selection of equipment could include a pull-up bar, a balance beam, and a sit-up bench.
The unusual nature of the gym equipment has Mr Simms questioning if any professional advice was sought during its design phase.
He also noted that “no one ever uses this equipment”.
Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell said the exercise area and equipment was installed following community requests.
“I can appreciate the differing individual opinions on what has been selected. It won’t suit everyone,” Cr Mitchell said.
“However, I have road- tested the equipment and area recently through my lens as a Masters qualified sports physiotherapist and active senior myself.
“I can see many health and recreation positives for clever use of the equipment, the park itself, and associated infrastructure such as artificial turf and stone blocks.”
