Getting fit is about to cost a whole lot more

Personal trainers operating outdoors in many Australian cities already pay hefty fees to local councils. Now one council wants to charge even more for the right to exercise in fresh air.

If you think everyone has the right to exercise among nature while breathing fresh air without being slugged with an ever-growing bill, think again. (Pic: iStock)

You would think everyone shares equal ownership of fresh air and nature.

You would also think everyone has the right to exercise outdoors among nature while breathing fresh air.

Think again.

Undeterred by the fact that 63 per cent of the Australian population are overweight or obese — that’s more than 11.2 million people — according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2014-15 National Health Survey, some local councils are raising the costs of training outdoors with a personal trainer.

Given Obesity Australia has declared a national obesity epidemic, and given that a great deal of us are personally struggling to meet the physical demands required to maintain a healthy weight, you would think our governing bodies — the ones we pay to manage our community affairs — would be rewarding people and businesses trying to combat this unhealthy and economically destructive epidemic.

But Sydney-based personal trainer Joel Chant has learnt otherwise in the six years he has owned and operated the outdoor business Step into Life Glenhaven.

Already paying The Hills Shire Council $3,650 a year to train his clients in a local sports field, Chant says a new proposal to further increase personal training fees and charges could see him lose his business.

Many city councils in Australia already charge similar fees, but from July 1, Sydney’s Hills Shire Council plans to charge personal trainers a further $33 per hour to train on sports fields and $16.50 per hour to train off the field areas.

If people are willing to work on their fitness at a time when 63 per cent of Australians are overweight, why would we punish them for that? (Pic: Supplied)

Working on an average of 10 one hour sessions per week, this would see individual trainers paying an extra $17,160 per year — on top of the $3,650 — to council.

“I’m not arguing paying fees,” says Chant. “I’m happy to pay fees but what they’re suggesting is totally unreasonable. It would, seriously, basically end [my business]. I’d have to put my fees up for my clients and that’s just not fair.”

The Hills Shire Council does have designated “free parks” where trainers can work free of charge but Chant says “most of these are small, have uneven ground, no lighting, no toilets, no parking and are totally unsuitable for a safe PT session”.

The council has claimed the proposed fee increase has been put in place to make more room for the soccer clubs. But Chant refutes this, saying personal trainers are only on the field with the soccer clubs for approximately 10 per cent of sessions.

Chant has established a Facebook page, appealing to the local community to submit their objections to the proposal.

The Hills Shire Council did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.

UPDATE: On May 4, the Hills Shire Mayor, Dr Michelle Byrne, told RendezView the additional fees were predominantly aimed at ensuring sporting clubs had adequate space.

“The fee Council is proposing for personal trainers is $1,200 per annum ($23 per week) which will provide access to a number of very suitable parklands on an unlimited basis. Given the fees they charge clients, this should allow plenty of opportunity for profitability,” she says.

“In the unlikely event that there will be any spare capacity on sports fields, which are currently being allocated to not-for-profit sports clubs, the fee of $33 per hour being proposed is the same as all other commercial operators pay.

“With the rapid increase in sports participation in the Hills, it is unlikely we will be able to accommodate any commercial operators on community sports fields at this stage. However, we are working with personal trainers to find suitable locations they can use.

“The Hills Shire Council encourages active, healthy lifestyles in a multitude of ways including the provision of parks and open spaces, tracks and trails, fitness equipment in parks, off-road cycle ways, free guided bushwalking programs... and more.”