Being a parent shouldn’t mean sacrificing your health and fitness.
However, I know that it doesn’t matter how motivated you are to get back into the gym – if you don’t have anyone to supervise your little one then it’s hard to fit in time to exercise.
That’s where gyms with creche and occasional care programs come in. Joining a gym with childcare means that you can work out with peace of mind and know your child is cared for by qualified professionals.
When I had two kids under three, finding a gym with a creche was a godsend! It was often the only time I had to do something for myself, not to mention the health benefits of doing regular exercise.
To help you get back to the gym ASAP, here’s a list of gyms with creche and occasional care facilities in Melbourne and the surrounding areas.
Gyms with Childcare in Melbourne
1. Fernwood Fitness, Multiple locations
Working out with little ones around is hard but working out at women-only Fernwood Fitness gyms means you no longer have to endure that struggle.
Instead, get some ‘me-time’ by leaving your kids in a fully-supervised playroom while you enjoy working out in the gym or taking a fitness class.
See if your local Fernwood Fitness gym location offers creche, and don’t look back.
Fernwood Fitness, multiple locations
2. Coburg Leisure Centre, Coburg
Coburg Leisure Centre offers a child-safe creche and occasional care service so that you can attend the gym, group fitness classes, personal training, swim in the indoor heated pools or relax in the spa or steam room.
Intakes are from six weeks old to six years old, and children can attend for four hours a day or up to fifteen hours a week.
Check out the Coburg Leisure Centre virtual tour to view the facilities.
Coburg Leisure Centre, Coburg, Bell St, Coburg VIC 3058, +61 (03) 9354 3504
3. Fawkner Leisure Centre, Fawkner
Achieve your fitness goals at Fawkner Leisure Centre while your child plays and learns in a safe environment in the colourful childcare room.
The gym boasts a well-equipped gym, or you can participate in a range of group fitness classes. They also have trampolines!
If you’re eager to jump back into the pool, they have a heated indoor and outdoor swimming pool or a sauna perfect for relaxing.
Fawkner Leisure Centre also offer women-only hours in the gym from 4 pm to 6 pm on Sunday.
Fawkner Leisure Centre, 79/83 Jukes Rd, Fawkner VIC 3060, +61 (03) 9358 6600
4. Input Fitness, Frankston
Input Fitness understands that mums and dads deserve a workout, so they look after your child so you can look after yourself.
The professional care team encourage learning, growth and fun, allowing you to enjoy a workout, swim, sauna session or a range of classes. Your kids will be disappointed to leave with the range of activities, music, movies, and toys available to keep them entertained!
Input Fitness gym’s creche runs from Monday to Friday from 9 am – 12 pm and is available for members and non-members. You can book a single session or save and purchase a pack of ten.
Input Fitness, Melbourne, 224 Cranbourne Road Frankston 3199, +61(03) 9789 3566
5. Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, Ascot Vale
Ascot Vale Leisure Centre offers creche and occasional care services Monday to Friday. There are three sessions running between 9 am – 1 pm, and the gym creche services are available to members and non-members (but must be booked in advance).
Leave your kids with qualified professionals in a nurturing environment full of fun activities, including indoor and outdoor play, books, arts and crafts, puzzles and other games.
The Ascot Vale Leisure Centre itself has a 25-metre indoor pool, warm water pool, spa, sauna and steam facilities. Or if that’s not your speed, there is a fully equipped lifestyle gym, a functional training area or over 100 group fitness classes.
Ascot Vale Leisure Centre, Melbourne, Epsom Rd & Langs Rd Ascot Vale 3032, +61 (03) 9283 6402
6. Genesis Health + Fitness, Berwick & Maidstone
Whether you want to jump into a class or train in the gym, nothing is stopping you, with Genesis Health + Fitness offering creche and occasional care in two Melbourne locations. You can enrol your little one from as early as six weeks up to ten years.
Genesis Health + Fitness gym’s creche and occasional care sessions run from Monday to Friday at varying times.
Genesis Health + Fitness, 18-24 Clyde Rd, Berwick 3806, +61 03) 8768 0700
Genesis Health + Fitness, 1/44-56 Hampstead Rd, Maidstone 3012, +61 (03) 9317 3100
7. Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre, Bentleigh East
Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre offers a variety of activities, from hitting the gym to attending group classes, personal training, swimming, the steamy sauna, or an extensive range of sports. While you are resting, relaxing or working out, your little one will have fun under the supervision of qualified and experienced staff.
The occasional care program sessions run from Monday to Friday, with two sessions available. Bookings are essential to secure a place, with seven days minimum notice for members and five days’ notice for non-members.
Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre, Melbourne, 200 E Boundary Rd, Bentleigh East VIC 3165, +61 9575 7100
8. Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, Maribyrnong
My nearest gym with day-care was Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre so when my kids were little I often used the childcare facilities while I went for a swim, took a group exercise class or worked out in the gym. It was also handy when I had a swimming class for one child, and the other child could be booked into the creche at the same time.
The carers have been working there for a long time and are highly experienced, ie. nothing fazes them! At the same time, your little one will enjoy fun, interactive and developmental activities indoors and outdoors.
Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre Childcare services are available Monday to Friday between 9 am – 1 pm with single session bookings available or full morning sessions. The facility has separate care areas for children of different ages, meaning babies and older children have safe play areas.
There is an outdoor play area equipped with a sandpit, climbing frame, grass and decking areas and games and toys to play with.
Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, Melbourne, 1 Aquatic Drive, Maribyrnong, +61 (03) 9032 4100
9. Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre, Keilor Downs
Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre offers creche to children for up to three hours a day or six hours a week. The facility opened in late 2022 so it’s very new and clean.
While your child is in the gym’s creche under professional supervision, you can enjoy a gym session, a group fitness class, pilates or the waterslides. The Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre even comes equipped with a sensory room for patrons needing some quiet time out.
Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre, Melbourne, 90 Taylors Rd, Keilor Downs 3038, +61 (03) 9249 4635
10. Kingston Active, Highett
Kingston Active has a gym, group fitness, personal training, older adult programs, accessible programs, lap pools, wave pool and sauna and steam facilities.
While you take full advantage of the facilities, your little one can be left with qualified and capable hands at Waves Creche and Occasional Care. The gym’s creche accepts children ages eight weeks to eight years between Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Kingston Active, Melbourne, 111 Chesterville Road Highett 3190, +61 9559 7111
11. Melbourne Sports Centres, Albert Park
If you’re near the Albert Park area, Melbourne Sports Centres has you covered for occasional care so you can go to the gym, play sports, or jump in the pools.
While you look after yourself, the expert team at Melbourne Sports Centres will be helping develop the fine and gross motor skills of your children through a range of fun activities.
Melbourne Sports Centres Occasional care sessions run on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. There are two sessions available between 9 am – 12 pm with cheaper prices for members vs non-members.
Melbourne Sports Centres, Melbourne, 30 Aughtie Dr, Albert Park VIC 3206, +61 (03) 9926 1555
12. Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreational Centre, Waurn Ponds
Enjoy a workout in the gym, a swim in the pools, a group fitness class or some time to yourself with Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreational Centre’s gym creche and occasional care.
The Geelong gym’s creche program develops physical and cognitive skills, encourages self-expression and challenges and stimulates. Or take advantage of the occasional care to attend appointments or enjoy some time out.
Please note bookings are essential and can be made up to a week in advance for members or 24 hours prior for non-members.
Leisurelink Aquatic & Recreational Centre, Geelong, 240 Pioneer Road Waurn Ponds 3216, +61 (03) 5243 9595