A Valuable Reminder from 2024

This year we saw incredible growth and progress in our main markets: Corrections, and Parks and Rec. Working in two vastly different markets presents unique challenges and requires different strategies. From marketing and promotion to product design and operations, each day presents a new opportunity to adapt and learn. While it's no surprise that these markets serve very different populations, they share a surprising connection emphasizing the power of health and fitness: exercise drives significant change among communities. It was a lesson that wasn't completely new, although 2024 reminded us that these markets share more similarities than one might think.

In corrections, we continued to strengthen our relationships, showcasing the benefits of fitness programs in reducing recidivism. Meanwhile, in parks, our journey was closer to the grassroots level. Introducing outdoor fitness equipment as a powerful park amenity was a newer concept that fewer municipal park departments have considered. ?

Despite these differences, both markets share a common outcome: promoting the transformative power of exercise.

Corrections: Where inmate fitness is a familiar and adopted concept

Correctional facilities use prison exercise equipment to comply with jail standards, as a behavior management tool, or just simply because they know exercise is good for them. The prison administrators we converse with are either already offering a form of recreation and exercise at their facility, or if they don't yet, it's something they've thought about. Fitness equipment in prisons is a concept that has been around for a long time. But, it wasn't until the last 15 years or so that specific fitness equipment started incorporating correctional-grade features focused on safety, security, and longevity.

Our experience demonstrates that most Jail Administrators recognize the value of fitness in reducing recidivism and improving inmate behavior. So, if the conversation was one they've had before, it was focused on expanding or enhancing their existing programs.

Parks: A new chapter for outdoor fitness

This year's common trend in our conversations with Park Directors is the newness of outdoor fitness equipment as a standard park amenity. We noticed that community outdoor gyms are considered less traditional when compared to the amenities that parks typically offer, like children's playgrounds, dog parks, and sports fields. This presents a unique challenge as conversations focused more on educating decision-makers from the ground up.

Park Directors who have installed outdoor exercise equipment understand that it helps create healthy families and provides an amenity that caters to adults while impacting their surrounding communities' social and socio-economic health.

Outdoor fitness equipment may be a newer concept in public parks. However, its impact is not.

Similar Goals

Although corrections and parks have different values and serve contrasting populations, they both aim to promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors that foster a strong sense of well-being in their respective populations. The reason for installing fitness equipment in a prison and a park is different; however, the impact that exercise has on people is the same.

Looking Ahead to 2025

If there's one thing we were reminded of this year, it's that fitness is a universal tool for positive change, no matter the population it serves. In prisons, it's about creating safer and more rehabilitative environments. For parks, it's about uncovering the potential that outdoor spaces can have on new segments of park users and transforming spaces to be more active and dynamic.

Our mission to provide fitness for all continues with innovation and education at the forefront. The needs of our customers may be different, but with shared goals, we are motivated to provide unique and healthy solutions to people no matter where they live.

Thank you to all of our customers and partners. We couldn't have had the year we did without you. What a year it was. See you in 2025!