An outdoor boot camp instructor oversees a class in Vancouver Friday. (CBC)

Vancouver's outdoor fitness operators say the city is making it harder for them to hold sessions in the city's parks.

After a recent decision by the Vancouver Park Board, outdoor workout programs, like bootcamps and yoga classes, will now require licences to operate at local beaches and green spaces.

Antonio Zivanovic, who runs an outdoor Vancouver fitness company, said the fee is bad for business.

"The fee that's associated with it makes it difficult because it is a business…[where] the margins are very tight. [It] makes it difficult for individuals who are starting out their businesses and trying to expand," he said.

However, Park Board Commissioner Ian Robertson said the move came after numerous complaints that fitness buffs were taking over public spaces.

"We were hearing from some people that they did not feel this was the best use of public space, and they felt their accessibility was being limited," he said.

In addition to the licences, which cost about $13 an hour, outdoor fitness operators will also have to show proof of insurance.

"If something unfortunate were to happen and there wasn't the proper insurance in place, the Park Board could be held responsible and we need to make sure we're protecting the interests of taxpayers of Vancouver," Robertson said.

The Park Board is launching its own outdoor workout programs this summer, but insisted the licences aren't meant to stifle the competition.