Dhaka's Free Outdoor Gyms Draw Morning Crowds With Pull-Up Bars

Dhaka residents logged more than 45,000 weekly visits to free outdoor fitness stations in the first half of 2026, according to Dhaka South City Corporation records released last month.

The increase follows the corporation's 2023 expansion of equipment across 12 parks, where rising temperatures now push users toward early sessions before 7am. Many residents cite monthly gym fees starting at 4,000 taka as the main reason they choose open-air circuits instead.

Stations at Ramna Park and Hatirjheel

Ramna Park near Shahbagh intersection added eight pull-up and dip stations along its eastern perimeter in 2024. Walkers on the main loop pass parallel bars and step platforms spaced every 50 metres, with shaded benches nearby for recovery sets. At Hatirjheel Lake in Tejgaon, a 1.2-kilometre circuit installed by the local ward office includes leg-press machines and rowing simulators set on concrete pads facing the water. Both sites stay open from 5am until 10pm daily with no entry fee.

Further north, the Banani lakeside path between Road 11 and Road 17 features resistance bands anchored to fixed posts and a small calisthenics area added in 2025. Residents from nearby apartments report using the spot before work on weekdays.

Usage data and access details

City records show 22 percent more participants at these locations compared with the same period in 2025. Equipment receives maintenance checks every quarter, with the next round scheduled for August. Users are advised to carry their own water and arrive before 6:30am on weekdays to secure space on the most popular machines. Those new to the stations can follow painted route markers that guide a 30-minute circuit covering all major muscle groups.

City officials plan to add another 30 pieces of equipment at Gulshan Park by December. Residents can check current opening hours on the Dhaka South City Corporation website or call the park office at Ramna for any temporary closures due to maintenance.