What to know about Geelong
- The Geelong urban area counted 289,630 people at the 2021 Census, and their median age was 39.Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats
- Separate houses made up 86.7% of occupied private dwellings in Geelong at the 2021 Census.Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats
- Personal trainers, group fitness instructors and sporting clubs can apply to the City of Greater Geelong for registration to use the Geelong Waterfront public open space, which asks for public liability and professional indemnity insurance and proof of registration with a fitness industry organisation.Source: City of Greater Geelong
- Under the City of Greater Geelong's permit for sports or personal training on public land or council facilities, trainers must limit group participants to 20 and hold a current workplace level 2 first aid certificate.Source: Australian Business Licence and Information Service, City of Greater Geelong listing
- In 2024 the City of Greater Geelong closed the Barwon Valley Fun Park and the Rippleside Outdoor Fitness Station to renew their outdoor exercise equipment, with works expected to be completed by mid-May 2024.Source: City of Greater Geelong news
Sessions on the Geelong Waterfront
The City of Greater Geelong keeps track of who trains on the waterfront for a living. Personal trainers, group fitness instructors and sporting clubs can apply to the City for registration to use the Geelong Waterfront public open space. The City asks them for public liability and professional indemnity insurance, along with proof of registration with a fitness industry organisation.
If you picture your sessions beside the bay, ask the trainer whether they are registered for the waterfront. If they are not, a park closer to home may suit you just as well.
The terms behind a park permit
Away from the waterfront, the City has a separate permit for sports or personal training on public land or council facilities. Its listing on the Australian Business Licence and Information Service spells out two conditions worth knowing as a client: trainers must limit group participants to 20, and they must hold a current workplace level 2 first aid certificate.
Twenty is a ceiling, not a target. If you would rather train with one or two friends, partner and small group training keeps the numbers far lower.
Barwon Valley and Rippleside
Two of the City's outdoor exercise areas, the Barwon Valley Fun Park and the Rippleside Outdoor Fitness Station, closed for an equipment renewal in 2024. At the time the City said the works were expected to be completed by mid-May 2024, weather permitting. Public gear like this gives a trainer something to build a circuit around, and it stays there for you on the days in between.
Houses, driveways and backyards
The Geelong urban area counted 289,630 people at the 2021 Census, with a median age of 39. Separate houses made up 86.7% of occupied private dwellings, and 57.9% of employed people drove themselves to work. In a city laid out like this, a trainer who comes to your place can save you one more trip in the car, and mobile personal training explains how that works.
On the request form, say whether you lean towards the waterfront, a park near you or your own backyard. We pass it to one local personal trainer.
Training in Geelong: common questions
Can I train with a personal trainer on the Geelong Waterfront?
Yes, with a trainer who has registered with the City of Greater Geelong to use the waterfront public open space. It is a fair thing to ask before your first session there.
How large can a group session in a Geelong park be?
The City's permit for personal training on public land or council facilities limits group participants to 20.