Outdoor gyms are becoming popular with youngsters in Windhoek.

On a typical Saturday afternoon, a number of youngsters are gathered at the Tugela family park in Wanaheda.

Only they didn't come to play. They are here to exercise.

Various outdoor workout equipment can be found within the park, and the young ones are making good use of whatever is available. 

Genuine Puriza is a regular who visits the park seven times a week.

"I come here to boost my immune system, to be fit, and just to keep healthy."

Puriza says her favorite part of exercising here is the fact that she doesn't have to pay to use the equipment.

She hopes that more gyms like these could be set up in various parts of Katutura.

"I think they should build them more because a lot of people come from far away, Greenwell, Havana, just to come here."

One such person is Andreas Nakale, who walks all the way from Greenwell Matongo to Wanaheda just to come and sweat.

Nakale too spends a few hours a day here, and he admits that exercise keeps him out of trouble.

"I just come here to kill time, just to build up my body, stay off the streets, and just focus on something, discipline myself."

Nakale is advising other young people who have too much time on their hands to find something productive to do.

"There are a lot of kids out there on the streets who don't know what to do on a daily basis. They don't go to school and don't have a job, so my advice to them is to go to a gym, listen to music, or do something else like sports, boxing, or soccer, you know, just to pass the time."

Our news team also paid a visit to the outdoor gym at Kleine Kuppe, but we did not find a single soul.

Experts say regular exercise improves brain health, helps manage weight, reduces the risk of disease, strengthens bones and muscles, and improves one's ability to do everyday activities.