From leg presses to lat pulldowns, outdoor fitness stations offer a range of free exercise options for local communities. But while they’re a familiar sight across parks and reserves, many of them remain underused.
Now, a new program developed by Adelaide University is bringing life to these spaces, showing how they can better support people’s physical activity, health, and social connection.
Conducted in partnership with the City of Salisbury and supported by the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing, the program aims to transform outdoor fitness areas into community meeting points, where trained ‘peer leaders’ guide free exercise sessions for local participants.
From Tuesday 28 April, 15 trained local volunteers will be on site across four City of Salisbury locations: RM Williams Drive Reserve, Canterbury Drive Reserve, AGH Cox Reserve and Happy Home Reserve.
These peer leaders will help people learn how to use the equipment safely and confidently, facilitating sessions and creating a welcoming, social environment that encourages people to get active outdoors.
The program is particularly aimed at older adults (over 50s) and those who may feel excluded from traditional gym environments due to cost, confidence or accessibility.
Lead researcher Adelaide University’s Dr Alyson Crozier says the program will address both the need for greater physical activity and stronger social ties.
“Physical inactivity is a major issue in Australia, with only one in three older people meeting recommended exercise guidelines,” Dr Crozier said.
“For many – particularly older adults – there are real barriers to traditional exercise, whether it’s cost, confidence or simply not knowing where to start.
“Outdoor gyms offer a free and accessible option but installing them isn’t enough. That’s where this program can make a difference.
“By offering regular, supported and welcoming fitness sessions that are delivered by members of the community for members of the community, we hope to encourage more people to get out and be active.
“At the same time, we’re also hoping to build a sense of belonging, which is often just as important as physical exercise.”
A key strength of the program is its sustainability. By training local residents as peer leaders, the model builds long-term capacity within the local area itself.
“We all know the catchphrase ‘use it or lose it’. Our bodies are meant to keep moving, but exercise doesn’t have to be exhausting, it can be fun, forging new friendships,” City of Salisbury Mayor Gilliam Aldridge OAM said.
“This initiative is about more than fitness. It’s about confidence, connection and making the most of our shared outdoor spaces.
“By training local volunteers as peer leaders, we’re building a program that belongs to the community and will be sustained well beyond the initial funding period.”
Early outcomes of the initiative aim to increase usage of outdoor gyms, improve confidence in equipment use, and create ongoing opportunities for participation without relying on external providers.
Researchers will now track participation, gather feedback and evaluate the program’s impact on both physical activity and social wellbeing. If successful, the initiative could be scaled across other councils and communities, offering a low-cost, high-impact approach to public health.
Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Rhiannon Pearce said the program is an important step to help make physical activity more accessible for older South Australians.
“The Malinauskas Government is pleased to partner with the university and council for this innovative program aimed at getting more people over 50 out of the house and active,” Minister Peace said.
“Sport, exercise and social activity should be accessible to all ages, and this program will help engage more people in exercise and build social connections.
“This is about removing barriers to participation and creating environments where older South Australians feel comfortable and confident getting regular exercise.”
