WORK to upgrade two outdoor gyms is nearing completion.

The new gym at Compass Gardens, South Woodham Ferrers, took four weeks to install and cost £31,000 in total.

As part of the project, an outdoor gym at Chelmer Park, Chelmsford is also being replaced and this is due to be completed in the coming weeks.

Councillor Bob Massey, Chelmsford City Council’s cabinet member for parks, said: “I am so pleased to able to announce the opening of the new outdoor gym and the works to create another similar facility.

“We have such wonderful parks across the city and this will help the residents make the most of the parks whilst keeping fit and healthy.”

The new facility in South Woodham Ferrers has had 11 new stations installed, providing exercise facilities for up to 18 people at any one time.

Some stations are doubles so people of differing abilities can work out together.

The exercise area with monkey bars is the first one installed by the city council.

Each piece of equipment has a QR code, which gives individuals the ability to access an online personal trainer for workouts and instructions on how to get the best out of each piece for smart phone users.

Traditional exercise equipment provides a workout in one direction but these new models provide resistance in both directions, doubling the effectiveness.

The Chelmer Park outdoor gym will also cost £31,000 to install and will have the same equipment as the Compass Gardens gym but it will have a different layout.

The council held an opening ceremony for the Compass Gardens gym on October 12 with special guests including Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Duncan Lumley.