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Personal trainers are a common sight in parks around the nation as office workers try to squeeze an exercise regimen into their busy day. But councils are increasingly charging fees amid concerns that trainers' commercial activities are encroaching on other park users.

The City of Yarra could join municipalities from Sydney and Perth that charge trainers up to $1000 a year to base activities in their parks.

Andrew Talati, who runs a personal training operation at Yarra Council's Endinburgh Gardens, is concerned about how the scheme will be policed.
"Effectively it's the end of my business," he says. "I am passionate about this. Is it a grab for cash or a means to keep three ratepayers happy?
"I know of trainers who are looking to move out of the area."

Yarra City Mayor Judy Morton says the drought and upset residents had forced the council's hand. "It is great to see an increase in the number of people being physically active in our parks, but we need to make sure that commercial activity does not dominate over other park users," she says.

Some councils say trainers are to blame for defacing public memorials by using them as exercise equipment, hogging footpaths and waking up residents. But in Brisbane there is a novel approach to trainers in parks.
Paul Timms, chief executive of the Australian Institute of Personal Trainers, says: "One council in Brisbane covers the whole metropolitan area. It actually pays personal trainers to wait in a park at a certain time and have people come to exercise with them.
"Thousands of our members have been affected by moves of some councils to start charging personal trainers to use the parks and recreational areas.
"It seems a shame that this move will reduce activity levels and add to the increasing obesity epidemic across the country."

In Perth, Subiaco Council takes a similar approach to that of Brisbane, paying trainers to run sessions. But Timms says at least one Perth council is considering charging his members.
It costs $1144 for a licence to offer services at the Domain in Sydney. The licence is transferable between trainers and is enforced by rangers from the Botanic Gardens Trust.

Alyson Wardle, who with her husband Luke runs boxing classes in parks including the Domain, says: "Councils think trainers can just pass the charge on to clients, but there is only a certain amount clients are willing to pay for fitness services, particularly with the present slow economy."
She says she has been fined $350 because one of her trainers was not registered.

Royal Botanic Gardens Trust executive director Tim Entwistle says personal trainers began being charged to use the Domain after complaints about their behaviour and numbers. "The charge we levy, which is about $20 a week, certainly doesn't make a lot of money for us," he says. "The real reason for bringing it in was to help manage these groups."


PHOTO: Alyson Wardle runs boxing classes in Sydney parks. Photo Peter Braig

Published on Saturday 25th of October 2008