Adult playgrounds sound a lot sexier than they really are

Adult playgrounds are the latest exercise-driven fad, an idea that's already becoming popular on the other side of the Atlantic. Folks are getting pumped up about these outdoor gyms -- stocked with such old-school equipment as pull-up bars, benches and exercise bikes -- due to their relative ease of use, the lack of intimidation compared to a mirror-walled indoor fitness center, and their convenience. They're often installed right next to traditional kids' playgrounds, so while the little ones scramble across the jungle gym, Mom can climb the StairMaster. Plus, they're free. "They help to overcome the problem that exercise has become a chore," one personal trainer said. "Few people find plugging away on the treadmill a pleasure."