What to know about Melbourne
- The Melbourne urban area counted 4,817,843 residents at the 2021 Census; adding up the ABS five-year age rows, we make about 30.9% of them aged 20 to 39.Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats, Melbourne
- On home space for training, the 2021 Census found 67.3% of occupied private dwellings in the Melbourne urban area were separate houses and 15.9% were flats or apartments.Source: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats, Melbourne
- The City of Melbourne runs five recreation centres, and its gyms include Melbourne City Baths, North Melbourne Recreation Centre and Carlton Baths.Source: City of Melbourne, Recreation centres
- Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre has reopened after redevelopment with a 25-metre indoor pool, three courts and an upgraded gym.Source: City of Melbourne, Recreation centres
- Consumer Affairs Victoria's industry guide (2011 edition) says members should be able to cancel by written notice, and that making them use a specific cancellation form is unfair.Source: Consumer Affairs Victoria, gym guide (2011)
City of Melbourne recreation centres
The City of Melbourne has five recreation centres to gym, swim and play. Melbourne City Baths pairs the central city's largest pool with a gymnasium. North Melbourne Recreation Centre and Carlton Baths both have gyms, and Carlton adds a group fitness program. Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre is back after its redevelopment with a 25-metre indoor pool, three full-sized courts and an upgraded gym.
Council centres suit people who want a pool and a gym under one roof. A private gym or strength studio may suit you better if you want longer hours, heavier equipment or a coach who programs your lifting. Visit at the time you would actually train.
Cancelling in Victoria
Consumer Affairs Victoria's guide for gyms, the 2011 edition, draws a clear line: members should be able to cancel by written notice. It calls a requirement to fill in a specific form, or follow set procedures, an unnecessary formality and unfair. A gym may offer a form, but using it should be optional.
- Ask whether the agreement has a cooling-off period. Do not assume it does.
- Ask what notice you must give and how to give it.
- Send your cancellation by email or letter and keep a copy.
Melbourne's north, suburb by suburb
InterFit has pages for eight suburbs north and north-west of the city, across three councils. In Merri-bek: Coburg, Pascoe Vale and Brunswick West. In Darebin: Preston, Thornbury and Reservoir. In Moonee Valley: Moonee Ponds and Essendon. Each page covers that suburb's council facilities, trails and a tip on gym contracts.
Houses, flats and home gyms
Melbourne's urban area had 4,817,843 residents at the 2021 Census, and our sum of the age rows puts about 30.9% of them in their twenties or thirties. The Census also found 67.3% of occupied private dwellings were separate houses and 15.9% were flats or apartments, so a garage gym is an option for some people and not for others. If you would rather train near home or work, tell us where and we pass your enquiry to one local gym.
Melbourne gym questions
Do I have to cancel a Victorian gym membership in person?
Consumer Affairs Victoria's 2011 guide says members should be able to cancel by written notice to the centre, and that a required cancellation form is an unfair formality. Check your own agreement and keep a copy of your notice.
Which Melbourne suburbs have their own InterFit page?
Coburg, Pascoe Vale, Brunswick West, Preston, Thornbury, Reservoir, Moonee Ponds and Essendon. For anywhere else in Melbourne, use the form and name your suburb.
Are council recreation centres only for swimming?
No. The City of Melbourne's centres include gyms, and Carlton Baths runs a group fitness program as well as its heated outdoor pool.