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Life is fast-paced, and families can sometimes struggle with spending time together while juggling work, fitness, and personal time. For families with children, some evenings after work you may find yourself having to choose between a quick workout or playing with your children.
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There’s one product here that attempts to solve that problem—the SwingSesh, a combination of outdoor home gym and children’s playset. Ideal for families with kids, this modular playset can have home gym essentials like pull-up bars, dip bars, a squat rack, a climbing rope, box jumps, and landmine attachments; plus all the play equipment a child could use, too, like a swing set, slide, monkey bars, and a play deck.
Is this playset fun for the whole family? Garage Gym Reviews founder Coop Mitchell tried out the largest SwingSesh size—the SuperSesh—with a few features and add-ons as well. More importantly, Coop had his kids try out the playset. In our SwingSesh review, we’ll dive into our fitness equipment expert’s thoughts on this unique product, as well as whether or not his kids enjoyed the experience, too.
We Don’t Play Around Testing Fitness Playgrounds
Even when testing a playset, our team of certified personal trainers, CrossFit Level 1 trainers, lifting coaches, and athletes still take our jobs seriously…well, mostly. I don’t care who you are, you’re going to have some fun on a swing set, no matter what.
Still, our testing team has plenty of experience with indoor and outdoor fitness equipment, and we hold everything to a high standard, according to our fitness equipment testing methodology.
For the SwingSesh, Coop built out the playset in his yard and took the playset through several workouts, involving barbell squats, rack pulls, pull-ups, rope climbs, box jumps, and more. Additionally, he had his kids—experts in playsets—try out the equipment and saw what they thought of it.
Although this playset is a unique product in its own right, we still took it through rigorous testing. Since the materials used and the build are reminiscent of squat racks and rigs, we looked at similar aspects of power racks, such as:
- Durability and construction
- Delivery and setup
- Versatility
- Steel used
- Accessories and compatibility
- Stability
- Overall value
SwingSesh
SwingSesh Playground
Product Highlights
- Outdoor gym and playground combo
- Child-friendly
- Patent-pending
- Customizable packages
- Optional children accessories and rack attachments
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Eligible for HSA/FSA payments
- Family bonding experience
- Upgradeable and customizable
- Durable construction
- Unique versatility between playset and outdoor home gym
Cons
- On the pricier side of home gyms and playsets
- Optional installation service is an extra fee
- Earthwork may be required to achieve level surface
Bottom Line
The SwingSesh Playground is a patent-pending outdoor gym and playground combination. It offers hours of outdoor entertainment and exercise for kids in addition to endless combinations of workouts for adults of all levels. Gym features vary by package and can be customized. You’ll be able to perform pull-ups, core exercises, box jumps, step ups, dips, and barbell squats (with your own barbell, of course).
A Quick Look at the SwingSesh
SwingSesh was created by a family in an attempt to solve the need to balance fitness with family time. Parents Brad and Naomi, a U.S. Marine test pilot and urban design consultant respectively, created the SwingSesh to help inspire their two kids to live active lifestyles with a playset that all members of the family can use.
The SwingSesh is modular, starting with the SimpleSesh, which has a squat rack, pull-up bars, box-jump-height steps, and dip bars. From there, you can expand to the SlimSesh, the SwingSesh, or the SuperSesh. For each playset, you can customize the attachments or equipment pieces available, ranging from an extra rig, swing sets, monkey bars, and more.
This is a unique item compared to other playsets, notably because of its combination with an outdoor home gym. Furthermore, it’s also made of heavy-duty steel instead of wood, like common playsets. The metal construction requires much less maintenance, whereas wooden playsets will need to be stained yearly to prevent weather damage.
The steel is coated with a UV and weather resistant plastic coating, too, which has been tested to last over 70 years. With a semi-regular hosing off of the playset, the SwingSesh should remain at a high quality for years to come.
Before You Buy
- The modular build of the SwingSesh can allow you to start small and build onto the playset slowly over time, which might help spread the high cost out over the same timeframe.
- The squat rack on the playset has 1-inch holes for various fitness attachments available on SwingSesh.com. You can use your own 1-inch attachments if you have any, but with the uprights measuring 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches, you likely won’t have an attachment that’s an exact fit.
- Before setting up the playset, we recommend laying out the surface first—whether it be rubber flooring, concrete, or, like Coop did, sheet mulch.
- If assembly and installation seem intimidating, SwingSesh offers installation services—for an additional fee. Installation services won’t include leveling or playground surfacing, though.
SwingSesh Video Review
Is the SwingSesh Worth It?
It’s difficult to compare the SwingSesh with other children’s playsets, because it offers such a different experience. “There really isn’t anything else on the market that I’ve seen quite like it,” Coop says of the SwingSesh and its dual-purpose playset and outdoor home gym. “There’s commercial and residential use options that are way more expensive, but for something that you can buy for your home that can also be used for fitness…there’s really not much else out there.”
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With all of that said, the SwingSesh is still an investment. It’s pricier than basic wooden playsets, or ones made with cheaper metal, starting at about $3,200 for the SimpleSesh and getting over $10,000 in larger models with attachments. Still, this is cheaper than premium playsets, which can start at double these prices. Also, with the modular approach, you can start with their basic SimpleSesh and expand the playset over time, instead of one big installation and payment.
Coop likes the value of the SwingSesh, saying “I can’t really compare the value of this because it’s different from everything else out there. So, my critique is that it’s obviously expensive, but when I say that, I’m comparing it to playsets made of wood and different imported materials that aren’t designed to be used like the SwingSesh.”
With that said, Coop rates the overall value of the SwingSesh a 4 out of 5. While it won’t fit everyone’s budget, the high-quality materials used and the versatility of the playset to double as a squat rack and home gym will definitely make it worth the cost for some families.
Great for:
- Getting a great workout in while spending time with the entire family
- Parents wanting a playset that is built to last for years
- Kids who love being active outside
Not recommended for:
- Those looking for budget home gym equipment
- Garage gym users who prefer to train indoors
- Parents who don’t have the space for an outdoor playset
SwingSesh Specs
| Footprint | Varies with modular setup |
| Uprights | 2.5” x 2.5” 7-gauge heavy-duty steel with 1-in holes |
| Coating | Thermoplastic coating on outside and inside of uprights, UV and weather resistant |
| Color options | Azure Blue, Forest Green, Storm Grey, Crimson Red, and custom colors |
| Extras and features | 10-ft rotomolded plastic slide, swings, monkey bars, climbing ladder, pull-up bars, box jumps, dip bars, 15-ft climbing rope extension, wall ball target, 5-ft play deck |
| Anchors | 18-in aluminum screw-style earth anchors |
| Warranty | 5-year limited warranty on above-ground steel components, 1 year on accessories |
Using the SwingSesh
GGR founder and fitness equipment expert Coop Mitchell played…er, worked out on the SwingSesh through multiple workouts, with and without his kids. He tried out the SuperSesh with optional monkey bars, slide, swing set, and a climbing rope—all to get a feel for all of the accessories and attachments.
More importantly, he had his kids play on the SwingSesh as well, as it was installed in his yard. Although we had an expert test the finer aspects of the construction and attachments, we had to know what kids thought about the playset. And the results? Coop says, “They’ve loved having the playset, and invite their friends over to play all the time now.”
Another noteworthy aspect of the playset is that it’s made to be functional but also safe for kids. The box jump deck, while made of metal, has rounded edges to prevent sharp edges if someone slips or falls. Several attachments also have levers that help prevent them from accidentally falling off the uprights of the playset.
Durability and Construction
The SwingSesh is overbuilt to withstand weather conditions, as well as any weight you may put on your best Olympic barbell. The uprights to the squat rack and playset are 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches and made from 7-gauge steel. Most heavy-duty power racks are made with 11-gauge steel, so this steel construction will withstand a lot of weight and wear.
Additionally, all steel used is either stainless steel or coated with a thermoplastic coating. This soft, gummy-feeling finish is UV and weather resistant. SwingSesh had the steel and finish tested and rated to last over 70 years. The hardware used to connect pieces together is also stainless steel. Even the optional plastic slide is built solidly, made from a double-walled rotomolded plastic. These choices are why we gave the SwingSesh a rating of 5 out of 5 for its construction and durability.
Versatility
Made with both fitness enthusiasts and active children in mind, the SwingSesh has plenty of versatility, both in layout and the accessories available. The product is modular, meaning you can add as much or as little to the set as you’d like, and it can be adjusted to fit odd-shaped yards if needed (but contact the company to discuss the layout first).
In addition to the versatility in the footprint and layout, there are plenty of accessories and optional attachments that add to the functionality of the playset—both as a playset and a home gym. The basic playset, the SimpleSesh, comes with box jump height steps, dip bars, pull-up bars, and a squat rack. From there, you can build up with the following optional playset attachments and accessories:
- Rotomolded plastic slide
- 2- or 3-person swing set
- Monkey bars
- Play deck
- Tic-tac-toe board
- Telescope and ship steering wheel accessories
“The most fun that kids have with these playsets is pretending to be something they aren’t,” Coop adds. “It’s imagination. So items like the telescope and ship’s wheel help fuel their imagination.” We’re excited to see SwingSesh add accessories like this and hope to see similar accessories in the future.
For the functionality of the outdoor home gym, you have power rack attachments and more:
- J-cups
- Safety spotter arms
- Climbing rope
- Landmine attachment
- Wall ball target
- Gun rack style squat rack attachment
- Battle rope
Additionally, some of the playset features double as workout elements. The swings are sturdy enough to use for ab rollouts, and the monkey bars can be used by adults and children alike.
While there’s plenty to do on the SwingSesh, it may not have all of the versatility of other squat racks used as home gyms, such as pulley systems or Smith machines. For that reason, Coop gives the overall versatility a 4 out of 5, although he adds, “If you’re used to minimal-type training, you could legitimately use this as your home gym. Just understand you’ll be using a lot of bodyweight or barbell movements.”
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Another thing to consider, if you’re wanting to add your own rack attachments, is the size of the uprights. The uprights have 1-inch holes, which is a common attachment sizing. However, the uprights are 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches, which is a bit smaller than most industry standards of 3 inches by 3 inches. It may not be the best fit for other attachments, earning a 3.5 out of 5 for accessory compatibility.
Comparison to Similar Products
To be honest, there’s nothing quite like the SwingSesh out there. Most outdoor gyms are made to be solely outdoor gyms, and most children’s playsets are made to be playsets only. However, the unique combination of gym and playset is truly unique.
The steel construction of the SwingSesh makes the playset much more durable and maintenance much easier than the yearly staining and cleaning of a wooden playset. Additionally, the 7-gauge steel is overbuilt compared to the industry standard for squat racks with 11-gauge steel.
RELATED: The Ultimate Squat Rack Guide
If you’re looking for a unique solution to having workout time and family time together, the SwingSesh brings a durable solution that allows everyone to play (or work out) together.
Customer Experience
SwingSesh provides a five-year warranty on all above-ground components of the playset, so long as it’s installed properly and for normal residential use. All accessories have a one-year warranty that covers workmanship and material defects. They also have a 30-day return policy, although products must be unopened and in the original packaging. The return must be authorized and received within 30 days of delivery. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer, as well.
There are multiple ways to contact SwingSesh, listed on their website: phone, email, and contact form, as well as a chat function. Many customers rave about the great customer service, especially with discussing the playset layout and installation. Because of this, SwingSesh gets a rating of 5 out of 5 for customer service.
Ordering and Assembling the SwingSesh
The SwingSesh can be ordered directly from the website. Before ordering, SwingSesh highly recommends measuring your yard, particularly the space you want to dedicate for the playset, so you know how much space you’re dealing with.
When ordering the SwingSesh, you can add installation service to your order if you’re worried about a DIY installation—although in our experience, the assembly is comparable to building out a large squat rack; not too bad, but it’ll take some time. With the added installation services, SwingSesh will contact you to discuss more about the installation site and then contact local providers and schedule an installation date.
Shipping is a flat fee of $299. The SwingSesh comes in a single, large custom-made pallet crate. In Coop’s experience, he had to hand pull the custom pallet off the truck, as the jack couldn’t handle the load. Pieces are individually wrapped to prevent scratches and dings, although we had scratches on a few pieces. However, the majority of these were from the unloading, as the jack broke through the crate at one point, scraping several pieces of tubing. “I think for most people, you’d have no issues,” Coop adds.
Assembly isn’t terrible, just make sure that you have the surface you want first. Building out the playset will be similar to building out a squat rack—at least two people will be needed, with more being ideal for some parts. Assembly isn’t too difficult, but the pieces are large and the playset will have a lot of pieces, depending on the size of the SwingSesh you purchased.
Once the playset is built, the playset is secured with 18-inch aluminum anchors. We highly recommend anchoring the playset as certain parts will still have a bit of play while unsecured, like the swing set. Due to the possibility of shipping and installation issues along the way, Coop rates the delivery and setup a 3 out of 5, although this shouldn’t be the case for everyone.
Customer Reviews
At the time of this writing, there are 46 total reviews for the SwingSesh on the website, spread out over the various models and color options. All of the reviews are 5-star reviews and speak highly of the product, notably on its durability and weather resistance through several storms. Another review spoke on the easy-to-follow installation manual, which turned what looked to be a daunting task into an eight-hour total project done over two days, done by two people.
Other reviews also spoke highly of customer service, especially in helping the customer plan out how the SwingSesh could fit in their yard.
Final Verdict of Our SwingSesh Review
The SwingSesh is a unique product that can help many parents and families get quality time together while staying active. Made to function as a playset and an outdoor home gym, the SwingSesh can provide great fun for all ages.
Albeit a more durable and sturdy option, this playground still is on the pricier side of outdoor playsets, so it may not be the right fit for every family. With that said, SwingSesh also provides a modular build, allowing for the playset to fit a broader range of price points and budgets, and allowing this long-lasting product to be built upon in the future.
Full Rating
SwingSesh
The SwingSesh Playground is a patent-pending outdoor gym and playground combination. It offers hours of outdoor entertainment and exercise for kids in addition to endless combinations of workouts for adults of all levels. Gym features vary by package and can be customized. You’ll be able to perform pull-ups, core exercises, box jumps, step ups, dips, and barbell squats (with your own barbell, of course).
Product Brand: SwingSesh
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 3200.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.36
SwingSesh: FAQs
Why is a steel SwingSesh better than a traditional wood playset?
The steel construction of a SwingSesh, while a bit more expensive, is much more durable than a playset made of wood. Additionally, the thermoplastic coating of metal uprights is UV and weather resistant, tested to last over 70 years. Along with durability, the SwingSesh won’t require the maintenance of other playsets; simply hose it off once in a while to keep it clean.
What are the key features of the SwingSesh fitness playground?
The SwingSesh combines a children’s playset with an outdoor home gym space, allowing the whole family to play or work out together. The playset features an optional plastic slide, swing set, monkey bars, and play deck. Additionally, you can purchase other playset accessories—a tic-tac-toe board, a telescope, and a ship’s wheel.
As far as fitness features, the SwingSesh is modular and can come with a variety of features and attachments: a squat rack, box jump, dip bars, pull-up bars, J-cups, spotter arms, a landmine, climbing rope, and a wall ball target.
How will my SwingSesh be shipped to me?
Shipping for the SwingSesh is a flat fee of $299, and it’ll come in a single custom-made crate with each piece individually wrapped.
In our experience, we had to unload the pieces off the freight truck by hand as the jack couldn’t handle the load. However, that shouldn’t be the experience for everyone.
Further reading
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