AusLeisure

An audit of outdoor fitness equipment in 34 out of South Australia’s 46 local government areas has identified factors that might motivate or deter people from using them.

Undertaken by University of South Australia (UniSA) researchers and funded by Wellbeing SA, the study involved the physically inspection and a comprehensive review of 169 of 202 sites (84% of identified outdoor gyms). It found that 72% were in good condition, 70% featured soft-fall foam under the equipment, 72% had seating and 82% were next to playgrounds.

However, the study found that 51% of sites had no drinking fountains, 63% had no access to public toilets and 49% did not have adequate shade.

Researchers also identified potential safety issues, with only 21% of outdoor fitness sites having lighting nearby.

Advising that the findings from the state-wide project will support councils to better promote and maintain safe and user-friendly outdoor fitness sites, UniSA researcher Dr Alyson Crozier stated “outdoor fitness equipment is great because it is freely accessible to the community and provides a unique opportunity for people to exercise outdoors, with families and people within the neighbourhood.

“But given the wide range of potential users, it’s important that the equipment provided are appropriate and sites are safe.

“Having well-maintained equipment with clear user instructions is essential, but equally so is ensuring that outdoor sites are located in accessible, well-lit, and high-foot traffic areas, which is important from a personal safety perspective.

“Adding shade or shelters to sites in open areas will also help protect people from the elements - enabling them to exercise rain or shine - and making sure the sites have drinking fountains, and amenities such as toilets, seating and disability access is also important.”

The study also indicated that to encourage more people to use the outdoor fitness sites, councils will need to consider additional signage and communication tools, with Dr Crozier adding “outdoor fitness sites are great for those in the know, but to increase the number of people in a community using these spaces, we need to ensure they know about them.

“So, things like additional signage, websites, icons on maps and apps would certainly help.

“Supervised sessions that encourage people to come and try outdoor fitness equipment may also be useful and a good way to bring communities together for a positive experience.

“Projects like this showcase how small adjustments to the promotion of public areas have the potential to create positive change in local communities. It’s another step forward to boosting community health and wellbeing.”

South Australia has 68 councils of which 23 do not appear to have outdoor fitness equipment sites.

This initiative is aligned with Wellbeing SA’s Healthy Parks Healthy People initiative and the Physical Activity in Nature Action Plan.

Click here for more information.

Related Articles

19th July 2023 - Walking, swimming and fitness centre training are the most popular activities Australians do regularly

6th July 2023 - AUSactive invites industry input in predicting hottest fitness trends for 2024

16th June 2023 - UniSA research suggests extended recovery times may be needed following sports concussion

16th May 2023 - BeaverFit outdoor gym solution launches in Australia

2nd May 2023 - Age-friendly outdoor fitness equipment installed in Eltham

26th April 2023 - University of South Australia research suggests ‘fitspiration’ influencers deliver dubious information

21st September 2022 - CERM looks for industry input to 2022 operational benchmarking survey

12th August 2022 - Outdoor fitness equipment helps Coburg seniors stay active

14th February 2022 - Installation of outdoor fitness equipment among Healthy Heart of Victoria initiatives for Loddon Campaspe Region

27th October 2021 - KOMPAN secures two design awards for their outdoor fitness equipment

12th March 2021 - City of Darwin to deliver new outdoor fitness stations and upgraded sporting facilities

16th February 2021 - New outdoor fitness equipment installed in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs

7th December 2020 - New playground and outdoor fitness station unveiled in Shoalhaven

19th November 2020 - Ripples Leisure Centre provide free training on outdoor gym equipment in Penrith

18th November 2020 - Eden Fitness Trail outdoor gym opened

10th September 2020 - FITREC delivers Code of Practice for outdoor fitness training in public spaces

12th August 2020 - Technogym launches new outdoor fitness concept

26th May 2020 - Improved outdoor gym equipment unveiled in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs

17th May 2020 - Installation completed of Darwin’s new outdoor fitness stations

15th January 2020 - Christchurch council to install outdoor gyms at Little River

15th July 2019 - Moduplay launch new outdoor fitness brand UrbanFiT

31st March 2019 - Kompan releases outdoor fitness bike for park locations

8th November 2018 - More drinking fountains for Perth’s Optus Stadium as summer approaches

13th September 2018 - Caloundra Indoor Stadium installs new drinking fountain and bottle refill station

31st July 2018 - Fairfield City Council provides drinking water refill stations in selected parks

31st May 2013 - Healthy Parks Healthy People grants announced

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.