One of Faversham’s hidden gems, The Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGO) is a growing company with expanding international reach. For over a decade, the business based at Brogdale Farm have led the field in outdoor gym innovation. There are now over 800 TGO installations across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South East Asia, South America and Australia, from London’s Olympic Park to Sydney’s Randwick coastal walk.
TGO’s mission is to increase physical activity, improve wellbeing and promote climate action in communities worldwide. With ageing and expanding populations, there is a global need for sustainable solutions to reverse the trends for physical inactivity, which start in childhood and worsen as people age. Physical activity is one of the key factors that can delay or prevent illnesses including heart disease, diabetes, depression, breast cancer and colon cancer. To this end, TGO supplies a wide range of multi-generational outdoor gym equipment, for which they also provide design, installation and maintenance services. The company works with councils, schools, healthcare providers, universities, employers, housing associations, private enterprises and government departments, to tackle inactivity across the UK and worldwide.
Through a network of overseas partners, The Great Outdoor Gym Company supplies and installs their UK-manufactured equipment all over the world. Georgie Delaney, Managing Director of The Great Outdoor Gym Company, discussed their international ambitions: “We have excellent international partners, who understand TGO’s mission and want to maximise the potential of TGO outdoor fitness spaces in their territories. Ultimately, we want to see more people across the globe benefiting from free-to-use TGO equipment in local public spaces, creating healthier and happier communities. We have taken great care to ensure the strength and longevity of our equipment for our customers; all our products are made in the UK using kite-marked British steel, which has a 25 year warranty.”
The thriving business now has 14 members of staff and has huge ambitions for the future, including launching 'smart gyms', to launch and roll out in the UK and overseas. The focus is on achieving sustainability and measurability, both for TGO gym users and TGO’s customers. Using smart technology, local leaders will be able to monitor uptake of local activities and gym usage, as well as tracking health, wellbeing and social impacts in their communities.
Georgie discussed the equipment that The Great Outdoor Gym Company produces: “Over the last 10 years, we’ve developed a range of equipment to inspire activity in all types of users. TGO outdoor fitness spaces can offer full body muscle-building, toning, callisthenic and cardio workouts. We have a mini range for kids aged 4 and above, through to equipment designed for wheelchair users and older people. Our equipment mirrors indoor gym machines, providing users with an effective resistance-based workout, rather than just physical movement. We are at the forefront of our industry for continually updating our product range, incorporating new workout trends including yoga, spinning and crossfit, as well as green innovation. TGO’s unique Green Energy Gyms are a world-first invention, where users generate electricity as they work out on TGO cardio equipment. That electricity can be stored or used immediately, to charge mobile phones, power lights or feed into local buildings.”
When asked why she felt that The Great Outdoor Gym Company should be recognised at the 2017 Awards, she commented: “We pride ourselves on designing and delivering the very best in terms of quality and innovation, and are extremely passionate in promoting the benefits of physical activity. Our strength, determination and energy as a team are reflected in everything we do. We also love to learn along the way, drawing huge inspiration from many sources including green innovators, health and fitness experts, nature and our great partnerships over the years, including the United Nations and adidas.
“Whilst this ethos and experience directly benefits our customers, our main focus is on reaching the general public, by providing free outdoor gyms for people to use in local, accessible spaces. Whether it's to maintain their fitness, return to physical activity or take the plunge for the very first time, we offer something for every age group, from beginners to exercise through to elites. Research tells us that outdoor exercise is not only good for physical and mental health, but it increases the likelihood that physical activity becomes part of people’s regular routine. Independent evaluations of TGO gym usage back this up, showing that they change behaviour even amongst the most inactive groups.”
The Great Outdoor Gym Company Ltd (TGO)
The Old Dairy
Brogdale Farm
Faversham
Kent
ME13 8XZ
01795 373 301
Web: www.tgogc.com