Last updated: 28/10/2025
Compact, modern set-up with pull-up bars, dips, monkey bars and outdoor fitness machines, ideal for beginners through to confident calisthenics users.
Quick Links
Equipment | Exercises | Workout Plan | Access | Pros & Cons
Quick summary
- Where | Open in Maps: Victoria Recreation Ground (Victoria Play Park), 68 Victoria Rd, Hove BN41 1XB
- Kit: Multi-height pull-up bars, dip/parallel bars, monkey bars, and outdoor fitness machines (beginner-friendly)
- Best for: Fundamentals (pulls, dips, core), family sessions, light conditioning
- Vibe: Community park next to the play area; friendly but can be busy after school / sunny weekends
- Surface: Rubberised pad plus surrounding tarmac/grass
- Accessibility: Step-free approaches; inclusive design used by teens, adults and older residents
- Open: 24/7 park access
Victoria Recreation Ground Outdoor Gym: Location Map
What equipment is actually here?
- Pull-up bars: multiple heights for chin-ups, neutral-grip pulls, archer pulls
- Parallel / dip bars: good height for dips, L-sit support, Australian rows
- Monkey bars / horizontal ladder: grip, traverse, core work
- Outdoor machines: Squats, Shoulder Press, Chest Press, Cycling and an Elliptical (great for warm-ups, older users, rehab)
If you want to train with kettlebells, check out Wish Park Outdoor Gym, Hove. A 25 minute walk away!
Everything you can train here (by muscle group)
Back & biceps
- Australian rows (parallel bars / low rail) - feet-elevated rows
- Chin-ups / pull-ups (narrow, shoulder-width, mixed)
- Archer or typewriter pull-ups (advanced)
- Isometric holds: active hang, scapular pulls
Chest, shoulders & triceps
- Parallel-bar dips - straight-bar dips (harder)
- Push-ups (incline/decline/archer using rails)
- Support holds / turn-out holds for shoulder stability
Core
- Hanging knee raises / leg raises / toes-to-bar
- L-sit / tuck L-sit (parallel bars)
- Hollow rocks / planks (rubber pad)
Legs & conditioning
- Step-ups / split squats (use jump pads)
- Box jumps / broad jumps
- Machine warm-ups: easy cardio before bar work
Tip: Pair a bar movement with a machine or carry for smooth supersets when it’s busy.
Interested in getting your first muscle up? Start today!
20-minute “Hove Fundamentals” workout
4 rounds (rest 60–90s)
- Pull-ups or Australian rows: 6–10
- Parallel-bar dips or push-ups: 8–12
- Hanging knee raises or L-sit tucks: 10–12
- Step-ups (each leg): 10
- Monkey-bar traverse: down & back
Progressions: rows → pull-ups; dips → straight-bar dips; knees → leg raises; add tempo (3-1-3).
Access, parking & when it’s busy
- Access: level paths; step-free
- Parking/transport: park car park, residential streets off Victoria Rd; local buses (15 minute bus ride from Brighton city centre)
- Busy times: after school; fine evenings/weekends
- Weather & grip: bars can slick in drizzle; towel or light chalk recommended
Pros & cons
Pros
- Full bars + monkey bars in one compact zone (efficient supersets)
- Machines make it welcoming for beginners and active ageing
- Central Hove location; family-friendly setting
- Great gym!
Cons
- Peak-time crowding near the play area
- Machines are light, advanced lifters will outgrow them
Learn more about this park:
- Brighton & Hove City Council — newest outdoor gyms programme
- Proludic case video featuring Victoria Recreation Ground installation
- The Argus coverage of the three new park gyms
- Reddit community post: looking for calisthenics parks in Brighton
FAQs
Is Victoria Recreation Ground’s outdoor gym free?
Yes. It’s a free public facility in Hove.
Can beginners use it?
Absolutely. Start with Australian rows, incline push-ups, machine warm-ups, and assisted dips.
Is it good for advanced calisthenics?
Great for volume (pulls/dips/cores).
When is it quietest?
Early mornings and weekday mid-mornings are usually calm.
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