Inclusive gym equipment at Yarra Centre

Belgravia Leisure, along with Belgravia Foundation prioritises the inclusion of people with a disability, of diversity and who experience disadvantage into the facilities, programs and services – striving to connect all to leisure.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found a staggering 72% of people aged 15 and over with disability do not do enough physical activity, compared with 52% without. For some people with disability, physical activity can be a challenge. This can be due to mobility issues or a lack of accessible and inclusive gyms and other exercise spaces.

Yarra Centre is a multi-function Aquatic and Leisure Centre located in the heart of the Yarra Ranges in Victoria, which is actively working to reduce the barriers people with a disability face when accessing exercise facilities.  

Over the 2021 period, the Yarra Centre hosted the Yarra Ranges Disability Advisory Committee meetings.  The meeting enabled Committee members to tour the gym and suggest some minor changes that could be made to create a more accessible gym for the wider community. These changes included the equipment layout of the facility and new accessible gym equipment.

The Yarra Centre team were proactive in taking on the suggestions, ordering new gym equipment from Technogym. The centre has a new weights training section with Olympic sized weights in varying colours; cardio section with equipment updated connected to the latest apps; weight machines that specifically highlight what parts on the machine are adjustable; rehab area is now accessible via a ramp; specific equipment that is user friendly for those in a wheelchair.

Yarra Centre’s Health Club and Group Fitness Coordinator, Jo-Ann Tantelll said, ‘making Yarra Centre gym more accessible offers increased quality of life for people with a disability including increased mobility, independence and social opportunities to meet others.’ Staff are thrilled to work in an inclusive environment with Jo-Anne further commenting saying, ‘we enjoy moments in the gym where people from all backgrounds and diversity are working out, having a chat and a laugh with people they now know- it is these moments that make us most proud of what we do.’