New outdoor fitness equipment is now available for the public to use free of charge at the Warren County Recreation Complex.

Warren County Parks and Recreation Director Bonnie Fitz explained that the new equipment consists of six stations with two fitness equipment apparatus at each one. She noted that the new equipment will allow the public to take advantage of more workout options in addition to the existing walking track.

“If you do all (of the stations), you will get a full body workout,” Fitz said. “You can work every part of your body in addition to the walk.”

The equipment, designed for ages 14 and up, is spread out across several locations at and near the walking track. Signs at each workout station will show how to use each exercise machine. Each sign includes a QR code for downloading a free app to access workout-related features.

“You can get demos, create exercise routines and log your progress,” Fitz said.

The equipment allows the public to tailor their workouts to their needs and goals. People have the option of using every machine for a full body workout in one visit to the Recreation Complex, as Fitz described.

However, people may also choose to use one or two machines during each workout. If they find that certain machines are more difficult for them to use, there are plenty of other options to choose from that will allow them to build their strength and stamina.

The addition of the fitness equipment at the Recreation Complex was made possible through the use of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds as outlined in its ARPA plan. The Warren County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of the equipment through a cooperative purchase program in the summer. The project consisted of the purchase of a 12-unit trail package system of Greenfields Outdoor Fitness equipment for $68,183.61 and installation of the equipment with concrete pads by Qualified Custom Buildings and Renovators at a cost of $27,590. The county previously noted that ARPA funds covered the full cost of the project.

For Fitz, the fitness equipment provides an example of Warren County Parks and Recreation’s ongoing focus on the three pillars of the National Parks and Recreation Association: health and wellness, conservation and equity. She indicated that the fitness equipment falls under the categories of health and wellness, and equity. Fitz again emphasized that the entire community can use the fitness equipment at no cost to them. Having the equipment outside also makes public access easier, she said.

“We must ensure that all people have access to these spaces, programs and services that remain essential to community vitality and serve as a key factor in advancing health equity, improving individual and community-level health outcomes, and enhancing the quality of life,” Fitz previously indicated.

She added that the fitness equipment also represents an effort to provide the best services possible to Warren County residents.

“In addition, this project helps support Warren County’s goal of achieving ‘best-in-class’ delivery of all programs and services through our community by adding a new amenity at an existing facility,” Fitz indicated previously.

The Warren County Recreation Complex is located at 840 US Hwy. 158 Bypass, Warrenton.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new outdoor fitness equipment was scheduled for Monday afternoon. Due to the early print deadline for this week’s newspaper, information about the ceremony will be included in the Nov. 29 edition of The Warren Record.