Perth’s best free outdoor workout locations
Remember Christmas and New Year’s?! Feels like it was forever ago when you were making all those resolutions about getting fitter and reaching new savings goals, doesn’t it? Well, we hope you’ve managed to tick off a few of those goals, but don’t be too hard on yourself if you haven’t.
We’ve scoured Perth to find some workout locations without the gym membership fees, so you can save a few dollars whilst working on your fitness. A win-win.
Whitfords Nodes Health & Wellbeing Park
A recent addition to the public outdoor workout spaces around Perth, Whitfords Nodes Park is now known as the Whitford Nodes Health & Wellbeing Hub. Here you’ll find a new exercise stairway. Extending 22m up the dune landscape, it’s got a cool 145 steps to climb, with rest stops and further jogging trails emanating from it. At the base of the stairway you’ll find a dedicated outdoor fitness equipment area too.
Workouts: Jogging, calisthenics + more.
Maylands Foreshore
The Banks Reserve area comes equipped with so many activities. Jog along the riverfront while enjoying the Swan River views. Jump on the great variety of workout equipment or follow the information boards for a nice yoga class. You could even get a bunch of friends down for a game of basketball or cricket on the oval.
Workouts: Basketball, running, cycling, ab swinger, calf stretcher, seated curl, yoga.
Hyde Park Outdoor Circuit
While it’s already one of Perth’s most beautiful park spaces, Hyde Park can also double as a tidy little workout spot as well. The figure 8 loop is usually filled with joggers, and all the way along you’ll find various machines to help with some small fitness exercises and stretching.
Workouts: Calf stretcher, seated curl, yoga, standing push-ups + more.
Jacob’s Ladder
The city skyline views have made Jacob’s ladder a Perth fitness favourite for years. See how many laps you can do as you run (or drag yourself) up and down the 242 steps. Maybe if you’re crazy enough, you can get into some chin-ups on the bar at the base. Once at the base of Cliff St, walk around to Mount St and really kill yourself with a hill sprint. Best of all, once you’re done, you have one of the best views in Perth to soak in as you stretch and re-hydrate.
Workouts: Stairs, hill sprints, chin-ups.
David Carr Memorial Park
Just near Elizabeth Quay, this park feels like you’re in a quiet suburban garden despite being in the thick of the city. There’s an extensive jogging/cycling path as well as a variety of workout equipment. After you train head over to Green Room Espresso Lounge for your early caffeine hit.
Workouts: Cycling, running, shoulder press, ab swing, ab twist, rowing.
Scarborough Esplanade
For those who like to get fit without knowing they’re actually exercising, the Esplanade is the place for you. Swim laps in the ocean or in the new outdoor pools (although this will cost ya), have a crack at the rock wall, or ollie your way through the skate park. You can run, walk, or cycle your way alongside the beach all the way out to Hillary’s.
Workouts: Rock climbing, skating, running, cycling, swimming.
McCallum Park
For one of the most scenic workout locations going around, head to McCallum Park in South Perth or even better – cycle there. The free outdoor gym here has a few different stations to choose from, and the whole setup has delightful views looking at the Swan River and Perth city.
Workouts: Cross trainer, cycle seat, rowing machines, shoulder press + more.
City Beach Reserve Outdoor Gym
Tucked away behind the playground and covered in shade, this gym may be small but can provide a full body workout. After you train you can head to one of the many beachfront restaurants for a post workout meal. Or even better, bring down your own groceries and have a cook up on the outdoor BBQ’s overlooking the ocean.
Workouts: Cycle seat, rowing machine, stepper, ab swing, swimming.
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City Of Bayswater
In 2019 the City Of Bayswater really upped the ante when it came to outdoor exercise equipment, transforming 12 more of the suburbs’ green spaces into free mini gyms! The type of equipment and degree of skill necessary to use them vary across the different gyms, so we’ll leave it to you to get exploring. The full list of reserves can be found HERE.
Workouts: Various.
Cottesloe Beach Outdoor Gym
This waterfront gym not only provides the equipment, but also has billboards educating you on fitness programmes, stretching and strengthening and cardiovascular conditioning. So there really is no excuse not to make the most out of this multi-functional wooden gym.
Workouts: Log hop, bench dip, bench curl, vault bar, sit ups, push ups.
Free Fitness Classes
If gyms aren’t your thing and you would still prefer a team around you to support you, there are plenty of free community fitness groups you can attend. Parkrun is a weekly 5km running event that occurs in suburbs all around Perth. Port Beach Polar Bears is a group that runs free swim group classes weekday mornings. Cold Nips isn’t super fitness focused, but it gets you up and into the ocean at the break of dawn, which is absolutely great for your health. No matter what kind of fitness you’re into, Perth has got the goods without breaking the bank.