City of Melbourne is offering over 500 free pilates, Zumba, Tai Chi and more fitness class spots across parks from November to April.
Melburnians can access free fitness classes delivered by City of Melbourne between November and April, with sessions spanning everything from Zumba in Kensington to Tai Chi in Carlton and pilates in Southbank. Running monthly across the city’s parks and gardens, the program aims to get residents moving while breaking down cost and time barriers that prevent half of adults in the City of Melbourne from getting enough exercise.
Classes cater to all fitness levels, whether you’re a gym regular, complete beginner or somewhere in between. After working up a sweat, participants get free refreshments and opportunities to connect with community members and councillors, turning each session into a social experience alongside the physical benefits.
Melbourne Fitness in the Park – Pilates, Zumba, Tai Chi + more
- Sunday 30 November, 9am, JJ Holland Park Kensington, Zumba and dance
- Sunday 14 December, 9am, Princes Park Carlton, Tai Chi
- Thursday 29 January, 6pm, Fawkner Park, Yoga
- Sunday 22 February, 8am, Melbourne Square Basketball Court Southbank, Pilates
- Wednesday 25 March, 12:30pm, Docklands Sports Courts, Boxing
- Wednesday 8 April, 11am, City Square, Family Fitness (school holidays)
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Sessions run across different venues with varying capacities, so early bookings are recommended. Each location offers something different, from morning Tai Chi in Princes Park to evening yoga at Fawkner Park and lunchtime boxing at Docklands Sports Courts. Family fitness classes during school holidays at City Square provide options for those with kids, making it easier for parents to stay active.
City of Melbourne is positioning the program as a way to make exercise more accessible for everyone, addressing common barriers that stop people from staying active. With time constraints and gym membership costs often cited as obstacles, free outdoor classes in convenient park locations remove those excuses while offering the added benefit of exercising in green spaces.
Classes are designed to keep people motivated through group participation, with research showing that exercising with others makes it easier to maintain consistency. Beyond the immediate fitness benefits, organisers hope the program encourages participants to explore what’s available at Melbourne’s recreation centres, potentially building longer-term exercise habits.
Registration and full program information is available through City of Melbourne’s website, with spots filling up based on venue capacity and activity type. From summer mornings in Southbank to autumn afternoons in Docklands spanning pilates zumba, tai chi and more, the schedule covers different times and locations to suit various schedules and preferences across the city.
For more information, head here.
