COVID-19: Ukrainians enjoy old outdoor gym after lockdown

Kachalka gym has enjoyed broad popularity ever since it opened on Dolobetskiy Island

Published: June 11, 2020 14:33 AP and Nathaniel Lacsina, Digital Content Editor

1 of 10

Kyiv: Relishing an opportunity to exercise after Ukraine's coronavirus lockdown, hundreds of Kyiv residents have been flocking to an improvised outdoor workout area on an island facing the capital. Image Credit: AP

2 of 10

The Kachalka gym has enjoyed broad popularity ever since it opened on Dolobetskiy Island in 1966. Image Credit: AP

3 of 10

People coming here to relax on the Dnipro River after a day at the office mix with young couples and sports enthusiasts who life weights for hours. Image Credit: AP

4 of 10

When the Ukrainian government ordered a lockdown on March 11 to stem the spread of the coronavirus, police blocked the bridge to the island. Image Credit: AP

5 of 10

The open-air workouts were allowed to resume at the end of May, when other sports facilities across the country also reopened. Image Credit: AP

6 of 10

Most of the Kachalka gym's equipment was built with scrap metal, such as old machine tools and parts. Image Credit: AP

7 of 10

The benches, weight sets and pull-up bars are chained to the ground to prevent theft. Image Credit: AP

8 of 10

Users carefully maintain them and make new pieces for the collection. Image Credit: AP

9 of 10

Andriy Demyanchenko, 55, said he desperately missed the place during the lockdown. Image Credit: AP

10 of 10

"I've been training here since 1985, and for me this is the best place to train," said Demyanchenko who trains for eight hours a day. "I use all types of gym equipment present here." Image Credit: AP

Photos News

COVID-19: Ukrainians enjoy old outdoor gym after lockdown

More From Photos

Parts of northern Europe clean up after floods

Pictures: Day 2 of Gulf News Edufair 2024

Rishi Sunak's wealth surges by £120m amid UK billionaire slowdown

Slovak PM has new surgery, condition ‘still very serious’

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

COVID-19: Ukrainians enjoy old outdoor gym after lockdown

More From Photos

Parts of northern Europe clean up after floods

Pictures: Day 2 of Gulf News Edufair 2024

Rishi Sunak's wealth surges by £120m amid UK billionaire slowdown

Slovak PM has new surgery, condition ‘still very serious’

GULFNEWS SECTIONS