Free Gym Membership

It’s become very fashionable in the last few years to become a member of a private gym where you get access to weights training, exercise machines, swimming, and various classes, and these are good places to go, however there is an alternative that’s available to everyone which is normally a much cheaper option and usually offers just as much variety and often a lot more besides. What am I talking about? Your local leisure centre.

Leisure Centres are generally owned by the local authority and are there to provide leisure and fitness facilities to people who live in the area. It is unnecessary to become a member of a leisure centre, you can visit once a year, or every week or even every day if you want to, and you will be charged a small fee to partake in whatever activity you choose. Leisure centres across the UK offer slightly different facilities just as fitness clubs and private gyms do, at the centre local to me, they have swimming, badminton, table tennis, squash, aerobics & other keep fit workouts, a weights & fitness room, and you can even book personal training sessions. Some larger leisure centres have running tracks, tennis courts and other outdoor facilities attached to them as well.

If you are in receipt of benefits or you are a student, or over 60, then you may be entitled to a reduction in the price you pay as well. This discount is normally done by supplying you with a leisure pass which you show each time you visit. These are given different names by different local authorities and to find out how this works in your local area, you will need to look it up on this website or contact your local council or leisure centre who should be able to tell you if you are eligible and how to apply.

Some leisure centres will offer a membership option. This generally means that you pay a fee to be a member for a month or a year and then within that time frame you can use facilities on that site either for free, or at a reduced rate depending on the scheme and the activity you wish to participate in.

The difference in cost between joining a Private Gym and working out at your local leisure centre can be huge and can save you literally hundreds of £’s a year in fees, so it’s very much worth while finding out what is available in your area. It’s difficult to give an actual saving as the prices vary up and down the country so it is best to contact your local leisure centre directly to find out prices.

Some leisure centres also offer other facilities that are less fitness related, such as coffee bar or café, sauna, or tanning booths. Again, to find out the full range of facilities available to you, you’ll need to contact your local centre directly. People with disabilities may find that if there is a swimming pool it is heated at certain times or that there are special sessions available to them. Also, some places offer different types of swimming at different times, so they may run adult only sessions where there are no kids allowed, or special exercise in water sessions for specific groups like pregnant ladies, or just that are open to everyone.