Here's some interesting news - playgrounds aren't just for kids. In fact, Germany has recently introduced a 'pensioner playground' in Berlin. Here the grey brigade can be seen using park equipment to strengthen their bodies and lose weight, not to mention lapping up a bit of good old-fashioned bone-strengthening sunshine at the same time. In this playground there are none of the traditional swings, slides or merry-go-rounds, but special leg trainers, back massage poles and other gizmos designed to improve strength and balance.

In other European countries, some local councils have started installing 'adults only' playgrounds that feature giant chessboards, padded surfaces for badminton and grassed areas for boules. And while we hope these newfangled adult parks may be more widespread in Australia in years to come, in the meantime there's nothing stopping you using playground equipment that already exists to exercise for your age group.

Moving Mums

For younger folk, ask yourself whether you actively move around or simply mooch about in boredom as the kids play, unaware of the opportunities you're missing out on.

Popular Aussie exercise instructor Lisa Westlake says to kick-start the fun, begin with activities that will bring the heart rate up, such as chasing your kids, or power walking the pram to the park, before stretching the body parts you think you'll be using.

'Much then depends upon your child's age,' Lisa warns. 'They must be independent in the playground before you can leave them alone while you use the equipment. If they're not, take another mum with you and share watching duties,' she suggests.

Workout Tips:

Here's the best way to spend 15 minutes in the playground:

Swings: Pump those legs and soar as high as you can for a great front and back of thigh workout. Afterwards, push someone else on the swing to work the biceps, shoulders and upper-back muscles.

Monkey bars: Simply hanging from a bar with our feet dangling is something we should all try to do. It's a great spine stretch. Build up to swinging from bar to bar for a thorough upper-body workout.

Slides: The ladder climb itself will test your butt and thighs, and the ride down - well, it's just plain good fun! Personally, I like to turn around, hold the bottom of the slide and pump out 20 quick push-ups.

Beams and logs: Test your balance and coordination by stepping along a row of tree stumps. Keep your challenges under knee-height.

Seesaw: A tidy workout for your thighs and butt and the constant landing will keep your bones strong. Of course, it takes two to tango so you'll need another mum or similar-weighted person to seesaw with you.

Newsflash!
The University of Lapland in Finland found older folk had significant improvements in balance, coordination and speed after three months playing on seesaws, monkey bars and slides. SOURCE: BBC NEWS

Did You Know?
Climbing, jumping, hanging and sliding can burn 500 to 750 kilojoules in a half-hour period, according to Dr Kathleen Matt from the Exercise and Sport Institute at Arizona State University in the US.

Sporty Seniors:
The mind is willing but for some of us, the body is no longer able. If you're older, or have any major illness, such as heart problems, diabetes or osteoarthritis, consider the following health warnings:

Always speak to your doctor first before exercising.
Ideally, have an exercise physiologist work out a program.
And, if osteoporosis is your demon, Dr Rob Daly, exercise physiologist at Deakin University has the following advice:
Don't twist or bend in sudden unsupported, forward movements such as touching toes.
Don't jump. This is bad for elderly or osteoporotic people.
Don't do forward flexion exercises such as sit-ups and abdominal crunches. It puts too much pressure on the major fracture sites of the hip and spine for people with moderate to high-end osteoporosis.

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