Many of you have heard of the legendary Muscle Beach in California, where also Arnold Schwarzenegger used to work out. It is an institution and a pilgrimage destination for people who are into gym training and fitness.
The entrepreneurs, Panu Palmu and Nikolai Babitzin
Nikolai Babitzin and Panu Palmu are two friends from Helsinki. In their actual day jobs, the first run a small group training studio, NB Trainers, and the latter is an IT entrepreneur. They are both enthusiastic about working out and enjoy the most when they get to do it outdoors. Even though the number of public Street Workout racks has increased during the past years, it hasn’t been quite what the guys were missing in Helsinki.
So, last summer they got an idea while eating burgers on a terrace of a local restaurant, that there should be a possibility to do a proper workout outdoors also here in Helsinki like there is in California.
First sketch of Eira Open Air
The idea might sound crazy because Helsinki is not known for its sunny weather and beach life, but it started to mature and eventually became a reality this summer when Eira Open Air had its opening weekend at the beginning of July.
Basically, Eira Open Air is an empty parking lot rented from the municipality of Helsinki, a cargo container, and a large selection of training equipment from bars and weights to boxes and tractor wheels. On top of that, add good music, laid back atmosphere, and nice weather, and it is almost guaranteed that you’ll experience one of the best workouts in your life!
Weightlifting, tractor tire flipping, bodyweight training... Everything is possible at Eira Open Air.
A touch of Cali in Helsinki
In spite of the fact that Helsinki doesn’t have the weather conditions of California, Eira Open Air is definitely one of the coolest and most interesting venues to work out this summer. The best part is that everyone can train there for free. Yes, you got it right, it costs nothing to workout at the top spot in Helsinki for the whole summer.
In the beginning, the emphasis is letting people work out on their own. However, during the opening weekend, Eira Open Air hosted, for instance, Mikko Salo’s and Jukka Lindstöm’s lessons and training sessions. The founders say that the plan is to add more group classes, coaching, and themed seminars also in the future.
Mikko Salo's seminar at Eira Open Air
”We had six instructed training sessions during the opening weekend, and all of them were fully booked, so clearly there is a high demand for coached group classes. Once we get everything up and running, we will definitely look for different possibilities. But although the emphasis at least for now is on the individual training, we always have a professional present during the opening hours, who can give instructions and feedback.”
Functional training available for everyone
Babitzin and Palmu believe in the effectiveness of functional training in order achieve better health and fitness, but the most important step is just to get up and start doing something with your body, which is why they wanted to bring functional training available and easily approachable for everyone.
Moreover, when Palmu and Babitzin are working out them selves, training buddies and community are valued high by them. People are what drives and motivate them both in-and outside the gym, and they would be more than happy to see a community growing up around Eira Open Air.
If you happen to be in Helsinki this summer, experience the vibes of Eira Open Air with a proper workout in good company! Check the opening hours from their Facebook page.
www.eiraopenair.fi
www.facebook.com/eiraopenair
@eiraopenair
