Fitness In The City

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Driving around the city of Colombo and the suburbs one can’t help but notice the greenery and open air recreational facilities that are available for all people living in the city. People from all walks of life are now enjoying the vast open spaces that include, walking/jogging paths, cycling tracks, waterways for rowing and boating and even outdoor fitness centres where ones own body weight can be used to get a good strength building workout.

As the pace of life has become a rat race and living spaces have become smaller people are limited to a few

square feet of office and home space each day. Every day, one travels to the office, sits in his/her office and then heads back to the home which has got smaller over the years. The hectic pace of life takes its toll on one’s health and family life. The Urban Development Authority (UDA) has stepped in to promote a healthy way of life that will benefit all those living in Colombo and the suburbs. It is in fact fitness for all!

The UDA believes that fitness and good health is a right not just for a select group of people but should be enjoyed by everybody irrespective of their economic or social standing. Earlier fitness facilities were exclusive for members of sports clubs and gyms. Now with the new facilities available, fitness can be enjoyed by everybody as they are absolutely free!

Exercising outdoors has many benefits. The exerciser breathes fresh air and is in a natural surrounding bringing him/her closer to nature. The different types of trees and the birds and animals are a refreshing sight in comparison to the work place.

There is more freedom of movement and one does not have to wait in line to use a particular machine like in the gym. Also there is no membership fee! The whole family can exercise together and this brings the family closer. Many forms of exercises can be done outdoors. Yoga, meditation, walking, running, cycling, rowing are what people can enjoy now in Colombo. There are also joint exercise sessions being conducted like aerobics which cost a nominal fee. This fee covers the cost of running the session like the sound system, maintenance etc. Exercise outdoors can also become a social event. Groups of people have been consistently being doing their daily walks at Independence Square and the Race Course Grounds. Today there are many more groups of people walking and cycling. However, there is room for more groups to get together and exercise. If friends, colleagues start meeting at the jogging track or water parks for exercise then they get to exercise and socialise at the same time. Then once a month all the different groups of walkers, joggers, cyclists could come together for one big walk, run or bike ride. That would be a splendid sight indeed. When you exercise together the bonds of friendship gets stronger and this leads to social events outside of exercising. Many long

The UDA has ideas to further encourage people to get fit and feel better. High rise apartments can conduct runs from the ground floor up to the highest floor. This will surely get the heart pumping! Already the World Trade Centre and Jaic Hilton conduct such runs. In time to come there will be mountain bike courses and climbing walls to further increase the outdoor fun. The outdoor facilities available now are many. They include:

• The Valli Park and Water Way in Nugegoda
• The Bellanwilla Cycle Track and Walk Ways
• The Diyatha Uyana Walk Ways and Exercise Area in Battaramulla
• The Water Ways in Battaramulla and Parliament Areas
• Health and Fitness Programmes Conducted Outdoors
• The Race Course, Independence Square Walking/Jogging and Cycle Tracks
• The Viharamadevi Park

The UDA has provided better quality housing for the poor people of Colombo who were living in shanties. Now these people live in good quality apartments thus enjoying a better quality of life compared to what they

had before. The fitness facilities in the city are for these people to enjoy as well, so they can adopt a healthy and positive lifestyle.

In the future the citizens of Colombo can see more outdoor activities to enjoy. It is the plan of the UDA to extend these facilities to other cities and towns. A lot of planning and work has been done to improve the fitness and wellness of the people of Colombo. The UDA encourages the people to use these facilities that are there and get fitter, healthier and enjoy a good life.