Teaneck—Picture this idyllic scenario: A sunny Sunday afternoon, no social or communal commitments, homework and projects completed, family lined up and ready to roll. Where to, you ask? To Phelps Park, off River Road, of course. Within walking distance for some of us and not more than a five-minute drive for the rest of us in Teaneck and the environs, Phelps Park has become a recreational “playland” since the installation in November of 13 state-of-the art exercise stations installed by the municipality of Teaneck to encourage the health and well-being of its residents.
Designed by Israeli engineer Noam Gur Arie, URBANIX outdoor gyms are rated top-of-the-line in safety and utility. The East Coast distributor of URBANIX, Core Elements Gym, is headed by duo President David Siegel and Director of Operations Esther Hollander, both residents of Teaneck. After Siegel saw these impressive exercise parks dotting the landscape of Israel, from urban centers to remote yishuvim, he decided to bring the concept back to the U.S. He contacted Hollander with whom he had previously collaborated and together they launched Core Elements. Thanks to the financial backing of the municipalities approached, New Jersey has installed three URBANIX outdoor gyms, the first last spring in Brooks Park, behind the William Cullen Bryant Elementary School in Teaneck, which includes 10 stations. The second is at a senior center in Robbinsville and the third is at Phelps Park. The goal of Core Elements, according to Siegel, “is to allow the widest range of demographic participants to utilize the latest fitness equipment, safely, free of charge, in the outdoors, day or night.”
What is unique about the URBANIX equipment? Without a doubt it’s the hydraulic system, which allows users to safely and appropriately control the resistance offered by the machines, which suit anybody, from the elderly or beginners to athletes, in a controlled, progressive and safe motion. As opposed to weight-regulated fitness equipment found in many indoor gyms, the piston system incorporated into the construction of URBANIX fitness stations allows users to select the resistance they are comfortable with and adjust it as they progress in their workouts.
At Phelps Park, the stations are arranged in a circuit. A general instructions board describes the rules and regulations of the area, such as users must be 14 or older, and the safety precautions. It then lists each machine and which muscles it is intended to strengthen. Users can select their starting point and focus on particular machines during their workout. Each individual machine offers an explanation of proper use, highlights the body part targeted and even provides a QR code which brings up an instructional video which actually serves as a virtual trainer. The Phelps equipment includes chest and shoulder presses, leg presses and extensions, abs, arms and triceps toners, and a bench press and hip twister among others.
The materials used in the construction of the stations is of the highest quality. The metal is galvanized, the screws are stainless, the pins are chrome, and the paint and exterior coating are thick and resistant to the elements. The seats are padded generously and the handles are designed to provide maximum comfort.
Core Elements is looking to spread the word about the excellence and uniqueness of their products. They are reaching out to high school and university athletic teams, pool clubs, 55+ residential communities and even commercial sites about their diversified installation possibilities.
Esther Hollander is extremely enthusiastic about the location of the latest installations of Core Elements in Teaneck. “Our community stands to benefit greatly from the Brooks and Phelps Parks outdoor gyms. The locations are convenient, the costs are non-existent, the quality of the equipment guarantees safety and the 24/7 accessibility is unique. I can truly see these installations improving the health, fitness and quality of life for our residents, young and older. Families can experience bonding time while improving their health. I invite all my friends, neighbors and Teaneck co-residents to come by and see for themselves—any time!”
By Pearl Markovitz
