PEOPLE in Leicester are being invited to get active at their local leisure centre this weekend – and it won’t cost them a penny.
All seven city council-run Active Leicester leisure centres will be marking National Fitness Day (Wednesday 24 September) with a weekend of free classes and gym sessions on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September.
Swimming will also be free of charge at Aylestone Leisure Centre, Braunstone Leisure Centre, Cossington Street Sports Centre, Evington Leisure Centre, New Parks Leisure Centre and Spence Street Sports Centre that weekend.
In addition, the city council is inviting people to enjoy a free round of pitch & putt or footgolf at its Humberstone Heights golf course.
Dozens of activities are available for people to enjoy free of charge, including group cycling, HIIT classes, yoga and circuits.
To mark National Fitness Day, all seven leisure centres will also be inviting visitors to take part in a Laps of Leicester challenge. Between 24-28 September, people will be asked to run on a running machine, swim in the pool or cycle on a static bike, with every 52km covered equating to one lap of Leicester. The leisure centre achieving the most laps of Leicester will be declared the winner.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster said: “We have seven fantastic leisure centres that serve neighbourhoods across the city.
"I’m very proud that the city council continues to provide such a wide range of facilities, when other local authorities have closed their centres and handed responsibility for leisure provision to the private sector.
“If you’ve never used our leisure centres before, or it’s been a while since your last visit, take a look at the wide range of free sessions taking place at a site near you and have a go at something new – whether it’s a HIIT class, group cycling or a gentle round of pitch & putt.
“And if you enjoy your free sessions, and are ready to build regular exercise into your daily or weekly routine, ask at reception about our value for money memberships.”
People wishing to use the gym, play pitch & putt or have a go at footgolf during National Fitness Weekend don’t need to book, but those wishing to swim or join a class are advised to reserve their place in advance to avoid disappointment.
Places can be booked at activeleicester.gladstonego.cloud/book
Anyone who’s not an Active Leicester member can create a profile to secure their place.
Places can be booked online, or by phone or in person. Terms and conditions apply. To find contact details for your local leisure centre, visit the Active Leicester webpage.
The free sessions will run on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September at Aylestone Leisure Centre, Braunstone Leisure Centre, Cossington Street Sports Centre, Evington Leisure Centre, Leicester Leys Leisure Centre, New Parks Leisure Centre, Spence Street Sports Centre and Humberstone Heights Golf Course.
For more information about National Fitness Day and all the free activities taking place in Leicester, call your local leisure centre or follow @ActiveLeicester on X, Instagram and Facebook.
National Fitness Day is an annual campaign run by ukactive that highlights the role of physical activity in helping people to lead healthier lives.
This year’s theme is ‘Powered by you!”