Clash Over Fitness Classes Heading to City Council

The Santa Monica City Council will consider next week options for regulating outdoor fitness classes at the beach and in the city's parks.

"For several years, community members have regularly complained to staff about the proliferation of unregulated fitness training and boot camps in city parks and at the beach," a city staff report says.

Council members will decide whether to direct staff to prepare an amendment to the city's municipal code for new rules, a permit system and charges related to fitness instruction, classes or camps at the beach and city parks.

The proposed regulations include a permit fee of $100, a use charge of 15 percent of revenue, several application forms, including insurance, limiting private classes to no more than two people and groups to no more than 150. Any more than 150 participants would require an event permit, according to the report.

Some trainers have argued that a 15 percent fee is too high and that Palisades Park should remain open to fitness instruction.

The city has had several regulations in place for years for some types of instruction and classes. For example, tennis instructors have been required to obtain permits and pay fees for court use. The city began requiring surf teaching permits in 2008.

Most instructors pay 15 percent of their revenues or an equivalent hourly rate for use of park facilities or beach areas. Some even pay a larger percentage, the report states.

During a survey at Palisades Park, 73 group classes and 74 private classes were recorded between 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. between San Vicente Boulevard and Idaho Avenue, according to the report. Most of the classes used equipment brought into the park.

Under the proposed new rules, only one-on-one and one-on-two classes would be allowed at Palisades Park, which is a designated city landmark. The regulations would also prohibit exercise equipment weighing more than 25 pounds. No classes would be allowed at Euclid Park, Joslyn Park, Muscle Beach Park, Ozone Park, Pacific Street Park, Park Drive Park and Schader Park.

If the council agrees to the regulations, city staff could have an ordinance drafted by June.

The meeting is set for Tuesday, April 23 in the Santa Monica Council Chamber.

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