Vita Parcours: locations and routes

If you wander around Switzerland’s woodlands today, you’re very likely to come across blue signs with fitness exercises on them. For some, these have already become a staple of the woodlands, playing an important role in increasing Switzerland’s national fitness. Many could not imagine being without them.
The vitaparcours idea emerged in the sixties in Zurich’s Wollishofen district. Back then, the men’s gym team enjoyed training in the woods during the summer. The men used any “fitness equipment” that came to hand. They used wooden benches, tree stumps, tree trunks, branches and anything else the woods had to offer. Over time, their fitness stations become more and more sophisticated. Instead of setting them up again and again, they wanted to leave them in place to use next time. They talked to the forestry commission office, and the Canton’s engineer was appointed. There was such excitement about the idea that collaborative work began at last with Dr Charly Schneiter, Sports Scientist at ETH Zurich University, as a consultant for the project. The idea also gained a sponsor in the form of Vita Insurance, which meant it could become reality.
In the late 60s, Zurich’s Fluntern district became home to the first vitaparcours. The woodland fitness craze is still booming today. Across Switzerland, around 500 vitaparcours are being maintained today. The desire to exercise outdoors remains as strong as ever. People gladly make use of the open-air training equipment provided.
To keep them in good condition, every trail is under the responsibility of a local sponsor. Today, 72% of the sponsors are communes, 14% are tourism organisations and 14% are sports- and other associations. For those who are prepared to become sponsors, the vitaparcours Foundation will provide technical consultations, knowledge and fitness station/route guidance materials along with other services. Each sponsor is responsible for constructing, servicing and maintaining their trail. The trail’s condition is inspected every 1-3 years by the vitaparcours Foundation.

The trail concept has been updated many times over the years. The concept now being used was developed in 1997 as a combined effort with the Magglingen Sports Science Institute, and was rolled out across Switzerland. It is still relevant with today’s knowledge of sports science.
In 2008, its name was changed to Zurich vitaparcours. Zurich Versicherungsgesellschaft AG is the exclusive sponsor for the 500 Zurich vitaparcours trails in Switzerland.