New 'street gym' in Northumberland Park helps residents keep fit

The outdoor gym equipment is free to use and has been installed by not-for-profit group Raza Sana with funding from Gymbox and Haringey Council

Residents enjoy Northumberland Park Street Gym, developed by Raza Sana (credit Doug Peters/PA Media Assignments)

A new community street gym has launched in Northumberland Park in a bid to “combat crime and improve community health”.

The street gym has been developed by not-for-profit organisation Raza Sana and funded by Gymbox and Haringey Council and has seen the installation of a “bar park” for the local community to socialise and exercise, providing a space for all ages to practise everything from low-impact exercise through to popular fitness practice, calisthenics, with equipment such as monkey bars, dip bars and pull up bars.

A summer activation programme where free accessible and inclusive exercise classes, as taught by Gymbox professionals, will take place three times a week. Targeted at all ages, the street gym looks to encourage all residents to live a healthier, confident and more fulfilling lifestyle, alongside providing both physical and mental health benefits through movement.

Through the new bar park, Raza Sana will work with the local community to provide them access to ‘1st Rep’, a programme dedicated to helping disadvantaged young people develop a personal strategy to change their life with fitness and calisthenics as part of that journey.

Gymbox has also launched its ‘Gymbox Academy’, allowing those on the 1st Rep programme interested in pursuing a career in fitness to train with Gymbox to gain the relevant experience and qualifications to enter the workforce.

Gymbox Academy will provide free training to all those involved in the programme, with courses ranging from how to build a business and upscaling, to in-depth biomechanics and relevant training in order to help people from all walks of life enter the fitness industry.

In addition to Gymbox Academy, the gym group will also provide career development tools for those in the ‘First Step’ programme, from free CV advice and developing social skills to providing mock interviews to help with their first step of their chosen career ladder.

The Northumberland Park Street Gym was officially opened last week by Northumberland Park ward councillor John Bevan. Deputy council leader Sarah Williams, cabinet member for communities Ajda Ovat, and cabinet member for children, schools and families Zena Brabazon also attended the event.

Juan Lopez, Founder & Director of Raza Sana, said: “The launch of the Northumberland Park Street Gym is a significant milestone in our mission to transform lives through fitness and community engagement. This project is particularly close to my heart, as I once stood where many of these young people are now; I understand the challenges they face and the potential they hold.

“Our 1st Rep programme, coupled with this new facility, will provide a real path for personal growth and positive change. We’re immensely grateful to Haringey Council and Gymbox for their support in bringing this vision to life and can’t wait to bring this to the local community.

“My hope is that over the coming months and years we can expand this model across the UK, helping us to reach more communities and to change more lives.”

Marc Diaper of Gymbox added: “Fitness can and should be an accessible space for all, helping everyone to unlock their full potential. We’re confident that through our partnership with Raza Sana, the street gym at Northumberland Park will truly help to transform lives.

“We met Juan through our partnership with Steel Warriors, a charity that takes knives from London streets to recycle the steel to make outdoor calisthenics gyms, and had been reaching out to many local councils as to further our investment in local park gyms and improve facilities. We are thrilled that Haringey Council responded and to be working together with Juan again. We hope that this is the first of many.

“Juan’s work with Raza Sana has been truly inspiring, and we’re honoured to bring the Gymbox Academy to life, making tools accessible to many who will make good use of them. In turn, our hope is that we make a positive change in the world, as well as seeing the fitness industry grow with passionate individuals from all backgrounds.”

Northumberland Park Street Gym is now open, with classes running every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. For more information on class schedules and how to get involved, local residents are encouraged to contact Raza Sana:
Visit razasana.com/contact

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