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Spanish grandparents enjoy playgrounds built just for the elderly

Spanish grandparents enjoy playgrounds built just for the elderly

New playgrounds in Spain proves that we’re all young at heart.

These “outdoor circuits” made especially for senior citizens provide an opportunity for exercise and prove that our bodies may get old, but our spirit never does. So when the weather’s warm and the days are long, the elderly aren’t sitting on the sidelines while their grandchildren hang out on jungle gyms – they’re getting in on the action too.

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A 63-year-old retiree named Manuel Francisco Martin told Public Radio International that the point is simply “to be able to keep going.”

“To never stop – because once you stop moving, things go badly.”

The outdoor exercise parks were designed in Finland, Public Radio International reports, but Spain has cornered the market with a whopping 600 already in place, and orders for hundreds more.

But before the seniors get to swinging, spinning and stretching, they’re usually in need of a mini-walkthrough.

“People’s first impression is always, ‘huh? What are we going to do here?’” physical therapist Paz Vidal remarked.

But eventually, the elders who are “mostly used to strolling” and not “stretching” usually come around.

“It’s very healthy and important,” 70-year-old Juan Masi agreed.

The greater Barcelona area is scheduled to get 300 more, and good thing since analysts estimate that 40 to 45 per cent of the population will be retired by the year 2050.

“We loved the idea of creating spaces in public to encourage the elderly,” Barcelona’s Josep Sole told Public Radio International. “We value these for the exercise, but the key is that it’s not in a gym, not in a retirement home, but outside.”

So if you’re thinking that Grandma and Grandpa just can’t keep up with you… think again.