To encourage its residents to exercise, Paris is experimenting with new outdoor weight training machines

While André-Citroën Park is relatively quiet on this Wednesday morning, colder than in previous days in the capital, a few curious onlookers stop, intrigued, under the Javel arch. Most of them regulars at the park in Paris's 15th arrondissement, where they enjoy their morning jog or walk, they are intrigued by something new: six outdoor fitness equipment sets have been installed on the cobblestones at the entrance to the green space.

Among the passersby, some take out their phones to take photos between strides, while others take the time to get closer to the machines, without actually testing them. This isn't something to worry about, says Kirsti Laasio, CEO of Omnigym, the Finnish company that has been designing this type of sports equipment since 2015. "It's completely normal," she explains. "The first few days, people will stop, take the time to discover that it's there, and after about two weeks, some will actually come to train and integrate it into their routine."

Very quickly, however, a curious person interrupts her jogging to join in the fun. Living in Vanves, Mariela loves the park, where she runs two to three times a week. Accompanied by the CEO of Omnigym, the fifty-year-old tests the equipment one by one. "It's great, after the run I can come and relax my shoulders. Plus, it's super comprehensive." Four pieces of equipment are designed for the upper body, and two for the lower body.