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BARS

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Colorful photo collage with sections of the parallel bars and people doing exercises on the parallel bars

TARGETED OUTDOOR WORKOUT: PARALLEL BARS

With a history of more than 200 years, training on parallel bars is one of the oldest types of apparatus-based gymnastics, and still relevant today as a gymnastics sport at the Olympic Games. Everyone knows the demanding exercises on the parallel bars from their school days. This type of training is a real challenge even for athletes.

Outdoor bars – AREAS OF APPLICATION

Pictogram of the barre, with a male figure performing an exercise

With the outdoor parallel bars, you can train to improve and develop your armshoulder and abdominal muscles after completing a warm-up session, e.g. on one of the playfit® stamina machines.

The parallel bars are also a useful addition to calisthenics system – even in ancient Greece, people knew how to use the benefits of self-weight gymnastics for a toned body.

Workout video

Here you can find the workout video for the playfit® Parallel Bars
We are currently working on the English Version

  • Preparation (Vorbereitung)
  • Exercises – Basic (Übungen – Leicht)
  • Exercises – Intermediate (Übungen – Mittel)
  • Exercises – Advanced (Übungen – Schwer)

Training effect & training goals

Animated gif file of a male body (from the front) in which you can see which muscles are activated during training with the parallel bars

Strength training on the fitness bar mainly affects the following muscle groups:

  • Support, arm and shoulder muscles
  • Abdominal muscles (depending on the exercise variant)
  • Leg muscles

Stretching exercises on the outdoor parallel bars promote body flexibility.

Animated gif file of a male body (from behind) showing which muscles are activated during training with the parallel bars


Advantages of parallel bars for your fitness level

In contrast to classic strength training, gymnastics on parallel bars promotes the interaction of all muscles and coordination skills as the sequences are more complex and varied than, for example, monotonous weight lifting.

The bar for outdoor use impresses with its simple elegance and is made of robust weather-resistant stainless steel.

INDIVIDUAL TRAINING

For stretching:

Approach the parallel bars from one side. You can use the parallel bars for different stretching exercises. Make sure you always stretch both sides of your body, one after the other. Hold the individual stretching positions for approx. 10 seconds.

For strength training:

Go between the bars in the middle of the bar with both arms extended in the support position. Hold the support position with outstretched arms for a few seconds and stabilize yourself. Now swing your legs forwards and backwards in parallel. Make sure you maintain an upright posture and body tension.

Tipps

  • Before your first training session on the parallel bars, ask a trainer or some other experienced person to give you guidance and, if necessary, correct your movements.
  • You should put together a personal training program to improve your performance on the parallel bars: Repeat each exercise 15 to 20 times, then take a short break and repeat the whole sequence up to 3 times in a row, preferably 3 times a week. For maximum training success, you can gradually increase the intensity and vary the exercises as you wish.
  • You will need to rest so that your body can regenerate, and your muscles grow. Ideally, there should be around 48 hours between individual workout sessions.

Photo of the parallel bars with a man performing a vaulting exercise with swinging legs. The parallel bars are on a beautiful exercise course in the park with a sandy base and grassy area all around.

Special Exercises:

  • Get into the support position.
    Now bend and stretch your arms alternately.
    Keep your upper body upright.
    Do not bend your elbows further than 90°.
  • From the support grip, pull your left and right knee upwards alternately. Or, you can pull both knees all the way up at the same time and lower them again.
    Repeat these exercises 10 – 15 times alternately.
  • Leg lifts
    If you want to do an even more challenging exercise for your abdominal muscles, straighten your legs and lift them forward at a right angle from your upper body and hold this position there for a few seconds.

FAQs

How strong are the bars of the fitness bar?

The bar is designed and certified for a user weight of 120 kg.

What should I bear in mind when using the fitness bar?

Warm up well before your training session on the parallel bars and make sure your shoulders are relaxed when exercising.

Is the outdoor parallel bars suitable for warming up?

No, you should warm up well with endurance training before strength training on the parallel bars to prevent injuries.

3 D pictogram of the bar

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Model No.JS-0205D
Maximum number of users1
Maximum user weight120 kg
User groupBody height greater than 140 cm (EN 16630)
MaterialStainless-steel
CertificationTested and certified according to EN 16630
Equipment dimensions (L x W)2200 mm x 610 mm
Height above ground surface1494 mm
Free height of fall1494 mm
Movement space (L x W x H)5200 mm x 3610 mm x 3000 mm

Similar Equipment

In addition to the fitness bar, you can find other  equipment for muscle building using your ownself-weight exercises, such as the playfit® Stand and Pull and another piece of strength equipment for relaxed use: the playfit® Arm Cycle.

Stand and Pull
Stand and Pull
Arm Cycle
Arm Cycle

If you require a set of outdoor-fitness equipment combined in such a way to allow a coordinated exercising schedule please do not hesitate to contact us.
We will be most happy to recommend an optimal combination based on recommended fitness-training schedules and sports science while taking into consideration any specific customer requirements.