Former chief inspector Bob Barby said, for all the talk about the city's weight and well-being issues, he could not believe such facilities were missing from Ballarat.

Mr Barby has returned from a caravan trip to Queensland and found the outdoor gyms in each community, small and large, in which he stopped. He said the free equipment was used by all ages and seemed to be a simple way to encourage people to move more.

"I do Pilates at the lake and I walk the lake regularly, sometimes seven days a week, and something is missing there," Mr Barby said.

"The lake is busy all the time with people of all ages - mostly mature people on weekdays and families on weekends - exercise machines to me seem essential."

Outdoor gyms feature in City of Ballarat's 30-year masterplan for Lake Wendouree. The City has received $272,000 funding from Regional Development Victoria for the project.

City of Ballarat community development director Neville Ivey said the project was on track for delivery this financial year. Council officers were in the process of determining locations, equipment and provisions like lighting, seating and bicycle parking.

YMCA Ballarat also led an unsuccessful bid for an outdoor gym by the walking track at Doug Dean Reserve in Delacombe last year via the state government's pick my project funding. They did so in a bid to break barriers to accessing gym equipment and to promote exercise.

Mr Barby said Lake Wendouree was a great location from a tourism and safety perspective. He said the gyms were a fun way to stay fit and experience a place while on holidays. The lake was also busy with people, he said, particularly in places like View Point or near Ballarat Botanical Gardens.

"There are people there most of the time," Mr Barby said. "Young and old people can use them. This is a very positive thing council can do."

The state government has also pledged funds for lighting the lake track.

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