Fitness Trail
Fitness Trail at Buhl Park
Getting in shape is easy on the Fitness Trail. The Buhl Park Fitness Trail, equipped with stations to provide stretch, muscle development, and cardiovascular conditioning is 9/10 mile long and follows a beautiful winding path through trees and wetlands, offering an invigorating exercise experience. The trail includes 18 different fitness-based stations, each with a sign that explains the directions in which to follow.
What can I expect on the Fitness Trail?
Expect beautiful views on a winding trail that you can take at your own pace. Friendly for all fitness levels, this trail features stops where you have the option to do the following exercises with instructions and equipment.
Heel-Flex: With both hands, grasp handle on post at shoulder level. With feet straight ahead, move right foot back and left knee and hips toward post. Stretch right heel down slowly while slightly bending right knee. Hold stretch for suggested time, then reverse legs and repeat.
Toe Reach: Sit on platform with feet together at base and legs outstretched. Keep back and legs straight while slowly reaching forward toward toes. Hold moderate stretch for suggested interval before returning to beginning position.
Toe Touch: Starting with legs straight and apart, with arms outstretched to each side, bend forward touching left toe with right fingertips. Return to starting position and repeat, touching right toe with left fingers.
Knee Grip: Standing with feet together and back straight, raise right knee. Grip knee with hands slowly pulling toward chest. Repeat with left knee.
Straddle Jump: Standing straight, with arms at sides and feet together, jump, spreading legs and at the same time bringing hands together above head. Return to starting position in reverse motion.
Hop Over: In one continuous series of hops proceed over barriers. Keep legs together, swinging arms forward then back.
Leg Flex: Select a column of challenging height, knee high or above. Place one foot on top of column and slowly step up. Step down, and repeat using other foot.
Arm Stretch: With feet on ground, grasp things above head from rings while maintaining ground contact, move body in circular motion. Repeat moving in opposite direction.
Body Tuck: Lying upon your back with legs outstretched, grasp handle above head with both hands. Bring knees toward chest moving into tuck position. The steeper the incline, the more difficult maneuver.
Body Pull: Select a bar above your normal reach. Jump, grasp bar with palms facing away. Pull body up until chin is above bar, then return to hanging position.
Leg Kick: Standing straight with arms outstretched to the sides, kick left leg up, touching toe with left fingertips. Repeat kick using right leg.
Vault Over: Select a challenging position along the rail at about waist height. Grip rail with both hands, and keeping feet together vault over downward side of rail.
Sit Up: Select proper seating position on bench; where with knees bent, feet reach under front rail, and back can touch rear support. With hands clasped behind head, pull forward and touch knees with elbows. Return rearward until back touches support.
Push Off: Select bar based upon your ability, the lowest is the most difficult. With back straight and arms outstretched, grasp bar. Lower body; then push off, returning to original position.
Leg Over: Select a seating position behind post of challenging height. Grasp back of seat with both hands, with feet together raise legs to mark on posts. Hold, and then raise legs over post. Repeat in opposite direction.
Arm Walk: Step up with arms straight, grip parallel bars. With arms supporting body, walk on hands to opposite end. Step down.
Hip Flex: With left knee under chest and right leg extended rearward, bend forward and grasp support bar. Slowly move hips down and forward. Hold for suggested interval. Alternate legs.
Beam Walk: Ascend balance beam; using outstretched arms to maintain balance, walk to opposite end without touching ground in route.
Acknowledgements
In 2008 Sharon Regional Health System and First National Bank, along with a state grant, funded and developed the new course to replace the twenty-five-year-old fitness par course that had previously been in this location. The new Fitness Trail is dedicated in honor of G. Leo Winger who has served over forty years on both the Sharon Regional Board of Directors and as a F.H. Buhl Trustee.