Street workout, which is popular among youngsters in over 50 countries, has been gaining recognition and popularity in Hong Kong during the past three years.

This sport does not require facilities and machines from gym room, but it can also train your muscle and strength by doing exercises and static holds.

Street workout means working out on street, that is, training yourself wherever with flat floors and bars, indoor or outdoor.

According to Street Workout Hong Kong, at least seven local street workout teams are training at various districts with about 200 active participants.

Simon Lee, a 28-year-old gym coach, established one of the local teams, Street Workout Barkids, with his friends in 2011. The team has recruited many members and now has regular training three times a week.

Like most of the street workout athletes, Simon learnt about the sport on YouTube videos. “I was attracted by the muscle and strength brought by the sport,” he said.

As there were no official training by the time Simon discovered the sport, he has no choice but learning it from books and videos.

Simon said street workout is different from traditional training as it is free and amusing with a variety of moves and poses.

“There are no rules in the sport and participants can always create new moves themselves.” he said. “That’s the best part of the sport.”

In order to achieve moves, participants have to challenge themselves all the time. And gradually they are more confident and stronger, Simon says.

Besides building up one’s muscles and confidence, Kevin Lee, the founder of Street Workout Hong Kong, added that the sport plays a role in the society.

“We profoundly involved in social work, uniting different nationalities, minorities, social and ethnic groups, disabled people and outcasts, thus bringing them back into society and consequently improving the social integration among various layers of the society,” Kevin said.

Though healthy and meaningful, street workout can lead to muscle straining if athletes are not well-trained. The most commonly hurt parts include wrist, elbow and shoulder.

Working out step by step, doing warm-up exercises and having seniors’ guidance are the keys to prevent muscle injuries, Simon says.

Although the sport is popular among boys aged 15–26, girls and other generations can also involve in street workout and develop their potential.

Tommy Ting, who has been an active participant for 1 year, said street workout does not depend on talent, but effort.

The sport is time-consuming as athletes spend time on practicing different moves, he says.

“If you practice hard, you can achieve any moves,” said Tommy.

Check out these street workout popular spots in Hong Kong: