Barriers and facilitators to the development and use of outdoor gyms in Arab towns: perspectives of municipal officials and residents

Outdoor gyms can promote physical activity, especially in underserved communities, where other resources may be scarce. Outdoor gyms can be particularly essential in Arab communities in Israel, where physical inactivity and related health conditions are relatively common. This research explores perceptions regarding outdoor gyms through semi-structured interviews with municipal officials (n = 10) and residents (n = 23), complemented by field observations of five outdoor gyms across four Arab towns in northern Israel. Both municipal officials and residents acknowledged the health and social benefits of outdoor gyms, as well as socio-cultural and usability barriers. Socio-cultural challenges included low social acceptance limiting women’s public exercise due to gender norms, alongside varied user preferences - some favoring central, visible sites for social interaction, others preferring secluded areas for privacy. Barriers related to outdoor gyms’ development and upkeep were reported mainly by municipal officials, while residents emphasized the lack of supportive infrastructure and limited knowledge on equipment use. Several policy recommendations emerged with a focus on spatial accessibility, facility diversification, maintenance, usability, and culturally sensitive planning. Beyond the Israeli context, Arab localities share informal development patterns common to underserved communities globally, positioning this study as a relevant case for similar socio-cultural and planning contexts worldwide.