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New Art Under 7 Train Station Gets Riders Back on Fitness Track

 The DOT is installing three sculptures underneath the 40th Street Station in Queens next month.
New Public Art Installation in Sunnyside
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SUNNYSIDE — It's the state of the art in workout equipment.

A new public art project going up in Queens next month will give commuters a chance to squeeze in a little exercise on their way to work.

A series of sculptures to be erected under the 7 Train station in Sunnyside will double as fitness equipment, according to the Department of Transportation, which proposed the project as part of its Urban Art program.

The installation, at 40th Street and Queens Boulevard, will consist of three geometric sculptures that residents can use to do push-ups, sit-ups and other simple exercises on.

The project, titled "Flexible," was designed by Long Island City artist Darren Goins and children from the nearby Sunnyside Woodside Boys & Girls Club.

"They're more of a utilitarian object than they are a piece of sculpture," Goins said of the pieces, which will be made from tubular steel and plastic composite wood, and placed on top of protective rubber mats. Signs will accompany the equipment to provide workout instructions.

"You're supposed to climb these. They're completely interactive," Goins said, adding the design was inspired by a set of minimalist workout equipment he saw in a local park.

He held workshops with kids at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, where the students helped draw and model the sculptures.

"Flexible" will be installed in June and stay up for a full year, the DOT said.