From an unsafe space to an active meeting place through investment in health and outdoor gyms
A well-placed and well-thought-out outdoor gym not only promotes public health but also creates vibrant meeting places, strengthens the community and increases presence in areas previously perceived as unsafe. In this article, you will find some insights into how an outdoor gym has increased safety in Sweden.
In many areas globally, there are places that are empty at night or rarely used, which in itself can create a feeling of insecurity. When these spaces are instead filled with activity, movement, and people, the whole experience of the place changes.
A clear example of a place like this is Trekantsparken in Liljeholmen, Stockholm. There, the establishment of a new outdoor gym that is used extensively has brought new life to the area.
The new gym was completed in 2023, and its use has been closely monitored since its launch. It has proved to be a busy place, with activity every day of the week and almost around the clock. The gym attracts a wide audience, from beginners to experienced fitness enthusiasts of all ages, and has become a natural gathering place where people move and exercise together.
The increased activity and presence of people exercising have contributed to a stronger sense of security and a more positive perception of the area.
How an outdoor gym contributes to increased safety
Safety in public spaces is often about presence, making places feel alive and accessible. An outdoor gym contributes to this in several ways:
- Visibility and movement: When people exercise and spend time in the area, social control increases and the risk of unsafe situations decreases.
- Versatility of use: an outdoor gym that appeals to different groups – young, old, beginners and experienced – is used more often and during more parts of the day.
- Good lighting and clear location: When placed near pedestrian walkways, public transport or other natural flows of movement, and not in a secluded area, the gym becomes part of the urban space.
- Quality and accessibility: Robust equipment and well-kept surfaces signal care and create a sense of security and pride in the place.
Read more about the project in Liljeholmen!
Picture from the outdoor gym in Trekantsparken.
Collaboration and planning, the keys to safer outdoor environments
For outdoor gyms to have a long-term impact, cooperation is needed between several actors, the municipality, the supplier, urban planners and often local associations. By involving those who actually use the space, it is possible to create solutions that are both functional and appreciated.
In Liljeholmen, the collaboration between the district administration and the supplier has led to a facility that not only fulfills its function as a training area but has also become a natural meeting place in the park. It is an example of how physical activity can be used as a tool for social sustainability.
Active urban planning for health and community
An outdoor gym is a relatively small investment compared to many other urban development measures, but it can bring big benefits – both for public health and perceived safety.
When more people meet in everyday life, see each other and share the same public spaces, the community is strengthened. It is in these encounters that safe cities are built, one exercise movement at a time.
Picture from the outdoor gym in Triangle Park in winter.
The recording of the webinar with the City of Stockholm, the Safer Sweden Foundation and Omnigym
On November 11, 2025, Omnigym held a webinar in which it was discussed how urban planning and outdoor environment design can prevent crime and enhance security. You can find the Swedish recording below.
Participants in the webinar were:
- Magnus Lindgren, Safer Sweden Foundation
- Hanna Löfbom CEO Omnigym Sweden
- Moderator: Catrin Engström
Pierre Persson, Head of Urban Environment, Hägersten Älvsjö District Administration in the City of Stockholm, who would have participated, was unfortunately unable to attend due to illness. But you can watch a video of him talking about the project here: Trygghetsprojektet i Liljeholmen
