Creating outdoor fitness centres around the island could help more people become active, the President of the newly set up Malta Exercise, Health and Fitness Association, Gino Schiavone, believes.
Speaking to The Times, Mr Schiavone pointed out that equipment like cycling pedals and bars for pull-ups could easily be installed in public areas where people can exercise.
In the southern Spanish city of Almeria, equipment was installed next to children's playgrounds so that parents could exercise while keeping an eye on their children.
The association is also suggesting that outdoor fitness centres be set up away from coastal areas where people already have the opportunity of walking on the promenade.
"This is something that could be done with the collaboration of local councils, and the association is willing to give them guidance," he said.
Mr Schiavone, a lecturer at the Institute for Tourism Studies, said the association was set up following a decision by the European Health and Fitness Association to have a body in each of the EU member countries striving to get "more people, more active, more often".
To reach this aim it was imperative to get through to two sectors of people - those who are willing to go to a gym and those who are not. The association president said the association's website - www.mehfa.eu - will next year offer the services of an online nutritionist, personal trainer and even a doctor, against a fee.
Moreover, a pilot project has already kicked off to offer aerobics and aquarobics classes in fitness centres and schools, with work underway to offer these in collaboration with local councils. The project is expected to be expanded in October with a number of other classes including yoga and pilates.
Mr Schiavone said the association - which is being aided financially by two companies, Nestlé and Tip Top - will be covering the cost of the instructor, and clients will not be charged more than €3 (Lm1.29) per session. "We want to help people who are interested in going for fitness classes but cannot afford to pay high fees," he said.
Activities will also be organised for people who are not willing to go to a gym, including organised walks with a fitness trainer, stopping to do certain exercises along the route.
The association plans to create a register of personal trainers.