Understanding outdoor fitness equipment in South Australia: Insights from council employees and an environmental audit

Outdoor fitness equipment is a commonly installed infrastructure in public parks across Australia to promote physical activity. However, no place-based research has been conducted in South Australia on outdoor fitness equipment. Understanding the current state of outdoor fitness equipment in South Australia, along with the factors that influence both installation and usage, is critical to maximize its public health impact. An environmental audit was conducted at 169 outdoor fitness equipment sites across 46 councils capturing data on equipment type, configuration, signage, shade, and co-located amenities and facilities. In addition, structured interview surveys with 40 council employees across 28 South Australian councils explored perceived barriers and facilitators of outdoor fitness equipment use and installation. The audit found that most sites were configured as central hubs and included both static and dynamic equipment, though only a minority provided shade, drinking taps or emergency signage. Co-location with playgrounds, walking paths, and other amenities was common. Perceived barriers to installation included financial constraints, maintenance costs, and uncertainty around usage levels, whereas usage barriers were identified as lack of community awareness, low confidence in using the equipment, and insufficient shade. Facilitators included community demand, grant funding, and integration with other park infrastructure and programs. In conclusion, outdoor fitness equipment provision and use are shaped by multiple, interconnected factors, including user confidence, visibility, cost, and site infrastructure. These findings highlight the need to balance these considerations in practice, with councils adopting integrated approaches to design and support that extend beyond installation alone.