Lumpini park: A cheap and healthy path to fitness

Lumpini Park is still among the favourite choices for workout enthusiasts looking for cost-effective modes to sweat it out.

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Cheap and healthy: A walk in the park and more

Pontakorn Urapeepatanapong

Despite a non-stop fitness evolution, be it T25, flying yoga, aqua cycling and so forth, Lumpini Park is still among the favourite choices for workout enthusiasts looking for cost-effective modes to sweat it out.

The third largest public park in Bangkok — after Suan Luang Rama IX Park and Vachirabenjatas Park (or Suan Rot Fai) — the picture of 92-year-old Lumpini Park today has significantly changed from that seen many years ago, thanks to an urban exercise craze, especially running and cycling.

Guides help a visually-impaired runner in Lumpini Park. JIRAPORN KUKHAKAN

While it has remained relatively consistent in appearance, Lumpini Park has certainly witnessed one significant change: the number of fitness and health conscious visitors to the park. To some, a walk in the park is a less costly alternative to gym membership. Many people believe a walk or a jog in the park is not all that different from using fitness machines at a gym.

Photo by PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH

Suthasinee Srisa-ard, head of security at Lumpini, says the increase in visitors to the park has been relatively noticeable. The number of people visiting has increased by approximately 25% from last year.

"Last year, on weekdays, the park used to get about 3-4,000. Now, 5,000 people visit daily," said Suthasinee. The weekends are even busier. The weekend visitors to Lumpini range from 8,000 to 10,000. Most come for jogging or walking, while others come to bike."

In addition to walking and biking, those visiting Lumpini Park also make use of the park's several fitness facilities.

These facilities serve as a budget-friendly alternative to fitness centres. Chief among these gyms is the Lumpini Youth Centre. First opened in 2011, membership is only 40 baht per year. Also offered is access to activities like football, basketball and swimming. Maintaining 15,000 members annually, the centre hopes to increase membership by 10% this year.

Whether it's a T-shirt or a tank top, a teenager or a pensioner, the people who set foot in Lumpini Park all have one common objective in mind — to get some exercise. Lumpini and commercial gyms are not all that different in terms of enabling the health conscious to achieve their goals. And perhaps the only difference between the two is that Lumpini will certainly save people more money.

Starting the day with an ancient Chinese boxing dance. THANARAK KHUNTON

Moreover, the park is open to people of all ages and backgrounds. As Lumpini sees increased visitors, a lot more people are beginning to appreciate what the park has to offer.

You can read the full, much longer story here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/social-and-lifestyle/1289335/cheap-and-healthy-a-walk-in-the-park-and-more

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