Exercise equipment

Positioning

Site setout

Park users

• Provide shade for spectators or parent/caregiver supervision (with clear sight lines) near activity areas and outside the safety clearances. 

Clarify entry

• Group embellishments at the entry to provide clarity and a reference point e.g. a park activity entry sign (at the primary entry) in a garden bed, bike racks and rails and a waste bin. 

Link areas

• Provide a pathway from the car park to the primary entry to the exercise area. 
• Provide pathway connection to nearby facilities i.e. accessible shaded seating, drinking fountain, toilets
• Provide pathway connections to external pathway networks and transport e.g. bus stops. 
• Changes of material, level changes, signage and seating can also assist to define desired movement areas and delineate borders.

Safety

• Perimeter safety fencing should be considered if there is a hazard, such as a busy road (see LIM Fences and gates for further guidance on the positioning and design of safety fencing). 
• Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles apply.
• As per AS 16330:2021, exercise equipment is not intended for installation in the immediate vicinity of children’s playgrounds. If exercise equipment is installed in connection with playground equipment, they shall be separated from general playing activities by an appropriate distance, fencing or other structural measures.

Shade in relation to exercise equipment

• Exercise equipment should be positioned with regard to sun exposure. Shade trees and shade sails are to be sited to ensure equipment is protected from the sun. For example:
  • plant trees to the northern and western sides of the playground for future shade provision.
  • equipment with seats are to be positioned facing south to prevent excessive heating by the sun of the surface, unless otherwise shaded.

Layout of exercise areas (stations)

• Create a viable exercise destination by installing clusters of equipment (either a series of smaller hubs or one larger hub).
• Exercise trails with single or dual station equipment may suit linear parks along a river or pathway. 
• Well positioned equipment along a pathway can encourage joggers and walkers to exercise more muscle groups. 
• Spaces and areas: each piece of exercise equipment requires a minimum space as per AS 16630:2021. It shall consist of the following:
  • space occupied by the equipment 
  • training space
  • movement space.
• Align equipment so that the users can see the location of the next station.
• Orientate the equipment to provide a view for the user if possible.

See the following:

• Figure 5: Plan view – two piece exercise station
• Figure 6: Plan – exercise circuit 
• Figure 7: Plan – exercise station with shade sail (multiple pieces).

Site vehicle access

• Consider access for emergency services vehicles in the design.
• Provide access for maintenance vehicles
  • also consider access to loose-fill safety surfacing (bark, sand, etc) so it can be replenished. 

See LIM Fences and gates for further guidance.

Figure 5: Plan view – two piece exercise station

Figure 6: Plan – exercise circuit 

Figure 7: Plan – exercise station with shade sail (multiple pieces)

Clearances

Table 3: Positioning guidance offsets

Also refer Figures 5, 6 and 7 above for specific offset guidance.