I was in Hong Kong over the holidays visiting family. Having a young son, it was inevitable that we would visit many playgrounds as part of our adventures in the city. In several of these playgrounds we came across an exercise area dedicated to elderly fitness, branded HealthBeat.
  

I was intrigued by them on many levels. The metal structures and their accompanying visual instructions are simply designed. They are playful, colorful, curiously compelling and non-intimidating. They were typically sited alongside children’s playground equipment so that a parental guardian might exercise while their child played. 

It turns out that the Hong Kong Leisure & Cultural Services Department has been placing these structures in local parks since 2002 to proactively encourage health living among its rising elderly population. Brilliant! 

We need more of this kind of innovative public policy here in the US. Instead of closeting fitness in private homes and gyms, let’s get make it freely accessible, public and universally-friendly.