Wellness
Local councils are investing in open-air fitness equipment and scenic circuits, making it easier than ever to break a sweat outside—without spending a cent.
For Central Coast locals looking to get fitter this winter, it doesn’t cost a dollar to use the region’s best outdoor gyms and fitness loops. From the bustling esplanade in Terrigal to the serene tracks around Tuggerah Lake, high-quality free workout options are popping up in parks across the area.
With gym memberships in Gosford averaging $22 to $35 a week, and the cost-of-living crunch still biting, free outdoor alternatives are increasingly popular. Demand for open-air, low-cost ways to stay healthy has risen since 2020: Central Coast Council says participation in community fitness events nearly doubled after equipment upgrades in 2024, partly thanks to COVID-era habits sticking around. Unlike traditional gyms, outdoor circuits are open 24/7, kid-friendly and cater to all fitness levels.
Terry Oval in Umina Beach is a favourite for locals, offering a full outdoor gym circuit that includes bodyweight resistance machines, parallel bars, chin-up frames, and step benches. All equipment is free to use, with clear instructions displayed on weatherproof boards. Over at Terrigal Haven, the fitness trail behind The Skillion boasts panoramic views alongside gear for squats, push-ups and pull-ups. From early morning until dusk, joggers, parents with prams, seniors and teens flock here for open-air exercise with a view of the Pacific.
Further north, Bateau Bay’s Sir Joseph Banks Reserve opened its outdoor fitness equipment in 2023, in a shady spot next to the skatepark off Tasman Avenue. Local residents say it’s busiest around 7am and 5pm, with families often combining a playground trip for kids with a quick circuit session. Central Coast Council maintains 13 outdoor gym stations across the region, with up-to-date details on its online map.
For those after cardio alongside strength work, the 12-kilometre Tuggerah Lake shared cycle-walkway is dotted with bodyweight fitness stops between The Entrance and Chittaway Bay. Bouddi National Park still pulls in hikers, but those after shorter circuits favour the bushland loop from Pioneer Park, Wamberal, where new stretch and balance stations went in last year.
The outdoor gym trend is bigger than ever. According to the NSW Office of Sport, around half of adults in the Central Coast LGA reported using parks or outdoor fitness facilities at least once a month in 2025. Central Coast Council spent $1.2 million on facilities between 2021 and 2025 as part of its Healthy Living Strategy, with four more upgrades planned over the next year for Wyoming, Toukley and North Gosford. Use is highest in the winter and early spring months, according to council sensors, bucking the “summer only” stereotype.
For anyone just starting out, most outdoor gyms include diagrams and QR codes linking to video demos. Locals can map their closest free facility at centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/fitness-circuits. For a structured start, the Gosford Parkrun meets every Saturday, free to join, and some surf lifesaving clubs like Avoca and Terrigal offer free community fitness sessions on weekends. It’s always wise to check equipment for safety before starting and to talk to your GP if you’re new to exercise or managing a health condition.
The bottom line: investing in wellness doesn’t need to drain your bank account. With a pair of sneakers and a bit of local know-how, anyone on the Central Coast can take advantage of millions of dollars’ worth of free fitness infrastructure—out in the fresh winter air.
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Published by The Daily Central Coast