A six-month trial of the policy in 2016 helped reduce complaints against fitness groups using public land, according to a report prepared for councillors, which suggests “there remain a number of commercial fitness operators who have not registered with the city”. 

All operators using public infrastructure will be required to have a permit and abide by a number of council regulations as part of the policy, which was endorsed by councillors at a meeting last week.

Related: Crack down on boot camps

Step into Life Bendigo franchisee Michael Talbot was involved in the trial, a move he believed was important progression for public safety.

“You are going to have to have someone policing it (permits), you can't have 10 people doing the right thing and five people doing the wrong thing,” he said.

“There will still be people that will work outside the policy but it’s up to council to police it or the public to chose to train with a registered professional.”

The policy provided the security of knowing where a business can and can’t operate, giving operators much-needed peace of mind, Mr Talbot said. 

Related: Fitness group booted off grass

Under the new policy, maximum group sizes of 20 will be allowed to use the city’s parks and gardens for gym sessions, including boxing and aerobic activities, however combat fighting-type training is prohibited, as is playing “amplified music or amplified audio equipment”, the report states.

Use of equipment damaging to surfaces, like tyres, sleds and ropes is also banned. 

Exclusion zones include; playgrounds, trees, garden beds and vegetation and picnic and barbecue facilities.

Council’s active and healthy communities facilities team leader Amy Johnston said fees and fines will be in place from next financial year and council officers will enforce the policy.