Going to the gym just got easier for residents at this Paris homeless shelter
At the nonprofit Emmaüs Solidarité homeless shelter in Paris, it’s not uncommon for new residents to have sleepless nights. But since the summer, residents have had a new way to cope with the stress of a restless evening: head to the courtyard and do a few circuits on their new outdoor gym. Through a partnership between the city, the nonprofit, and Omnigym, a Finnish fitness company, this new…
Residents of a Paris homeless shelter now have an easier way to stay active and socialize, thanks to a new outdoor gym installed in their courtyard. The Emmaüs Solidarité shelter, which already faced challenges related to physical inactivity and social isolation, now offers its residents a chance to exercise and connect with others.
The gym was created through a partnership between the city of Paris, the nonprofit, and Omnigym, a Finnish fitness company. The four-piece workout equipment set-up includes a lat pulldown, squat, incline bench press, and low row machine. The gym's presence encourages community-building, as people from different socioeconomic backgrounds tend to gather and exercise together, breaking down barriers of wealth and social status.
The outdoor gym also addresses the broader issues of physical inactivity and emotional well-being, particularly for the unhoused community, which often struggles with access to facilities and resources. The Emmaüs Solidarité site has seen a significant impact since the gym was installed in mid-July, with consistent usage and improvements in the residents' health and social interactions.
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