Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith (left), and Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Sonia Browne, exercising at the Community Outdoor Gym, at the Wildey Gymnasium.

An outdoor gym initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment (MYSCE) to promote physical activity and good health among citizens, is receiving rave reviews.

This comes after the Minister, the Honourable Charles Griffith, had encouraged Barbadians to fully utilize the newly installed community gyms at the Wildey Gymnasium, Bush Hall, Haggatt Hall and Mapp Hill all in St. Michael; Indian Ground, St. Peter as well as Gall Hill in St. John.

During the official opening of the spanking new outdoor gym at the Wildey Gymnasium in January, Minister Griffith urged national sporting federations to step up to the plate and ensure that athletes benefit from these facilities.

Every gym can accommodate at least 16 people at one time and reportedly cost $50,000 each.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Sonia Browne, who was also present, was pleased that the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Community Empowerment was playing its part in battling mental health and chronic non-communicable diseases.

So much so, that she urged Barbadians to discern between healthy and unhealthy foods, stating the costs of healthy foods need to be addressed.

Dr. Browne also encouraged employers to give employees breaks for mental health during the day. Like Minister Griffith, she advised Barbadians to fully use the community gyms put at their disposal.

Director of Sports at the National Sports Council, Neil Murrell assured Barbadians that adequate protection will be in place to ensure they adequately utilize the facilities.