Looking for ways to keep the kids amused this half term, then look no further than some free football being offered by Edinburgh Leisure.
Suitable for young people aged 11 – 18 years, the football sessions will run on the main pitch at Meadowbank Sports Centre from 1:30pm – 3:00pm on Tuesday, 13th, Thursday 15th and Friday, 16th February..
Participants can come along, stay active and socialise while enjoying the outdoors. Sessions don’t need to be booked – kids can simply turn up and have fun.
Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure is here to help the people of Edinburgh enjoy a healthier, happier, and more active life.
In the heart of communities, we’re the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city. As a charitable trust we provide activities for everyone as they move through their lives.
Inspire kids to get the active habit. With Edinburgh Leisure’s Young Explorer soft-play membership, children get to sample the world of sport and fitness from an early age.
For new customers signing up to become a member in February,April is completely free. And for existing members referring a friend, if their friends join, the existing member will also receive a free month in April.
From only £17.99* per month, the Young Explorer Soft Play Membership offers incredible value, fantastic flexibility and of course, will keep little ones entertained and burning off energy as they explore the amazing soft plays.
Little adventurers can visit as many times as they wish, enjoying unlimited fun at any of Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft play venues across the city at Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Tumbles at Portobello, and Scrambles at EICA: Ratho.
Edinburgh Leisure’s play frames are suitable for children up to ten years old and there are frames for babies, toddlers, and juniors up to 10 years. Each venue has a café where healthy snacks and tasty treats can be enjoyed.
With great member benefits, the Edinburgh Leisure soft play is only available to buy online:
Apply now – Career opportunities in the leisure industry thanks to the Prince’s Trust partnership with Edinburgh Leisure
In collaboration with The Prince’s Trust, Edinburgh Leisure is encouraging young people aged 16-30 years to apply to join a free ‘Get Into Lifeguarding with Edinburgh Leisure’ training course starting in February 2024.
The initial pre-selection day will take place at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre on 8th February 2024, after which selected candidates will be invited to take part in the free 3-week course. There are 10 places being offered.
The pre-employment programme aims to help young people aged 16-30 years get into jobs, education, and training, with a focus on becoming a lifeguard.
The programme includes a pre-selection day; a week’s work experience at one of Edinburgh Leisure’s ‘wet’ sites under the mentorship of an Edinburgh Leisure staff member, who has received ‘shadow buddy’ training in advance from Edinburgh Leisure’s Learning & Development team; an NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification) course; and job interview opportunities.
Travel expenses are reimbursed, and successful candidates receive up to six months of post-programme support.
Successful candidates would need to be available to take part in all the training days. The programme schedule is:
8 February Pre-selection Day at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre
19-23 February NPLQ course at Portobello Swim Centre
26 February – 1 March Work experience at one of Edinburgh Leisure’s venues
4 March Interview experience
6 March Post course celebration event at Meadowbank Sports Centre
Interested applicants should apply by Friday, 2nd February 2024 to be considered for this opportunity. Email matthew.rooney@princes-trust.org.uk with their name, telephone number and email address or alternatively apply via the Princes Trust website or call 0800 842 842.
Alyson Coats, Manager at Leith Victoria Swim Centre, and responsible for the partnership explained: “This will be the second time Edinburgh Leisure has run such a programme.
“It’s a win-win – with young people having a great opportunity to learn with Edinburgh Leisure and gain valuable experience, which we hope sets them up for employment in the future, either with us or another opportunity in the leisure industry. For many young people this could be life-changing for them.”
Lorenzo D’Silva came through the first cohort in July 2023, and secured a job as a lifeguard at the Royal Commonwealth Pool on finishing the course.
Lorenzo said: “The NPLQ course was only one week but the Prince’s Trust also gave us the opportunity to gain valuable skills in team building and interview techniques during the process which really helped when I was offered a job interview with Edinburgh Leisure. If you’ve not been in the mindset of getting a job it helps you to understand how to present yourself.
“I started working full-time in September at the Commie. It’s a great place to work with a great team. Everyone’s friendly and genuine and it’s a very inclusive place to work. There’s a great sense of camaraderie – like a big family, which is great as I come from one myself.”
The Prince’s Trust supports young people from disadvantaged communities and those facing the greatest adversity. The courses offered help young people aged 11-30 to develop essential life skills, get ready for work and access job opportunities.
Since The Trust was founded by HM The King in 1976, they have helped more than a million young people across the UK, and three in four of those supported over the last five years have moved into work, education, or training.
Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.
Edinburgh Leisure responses to misleading media articles re venue closures
There have been several misleading media articles regarding venue closures at Edinburgh Leisure (NOT NEN – Ed.!) The charity is facing significant financial challenges next year (2024/25) due to several factors, including further increases in energy costs.
Information was prepared on venue closures to illustrate the scale of these challenges and the potential impact on services. Unfortunately, several media articles omitted to cover these all-important points in favour of reporting ‘venue closures’.
Work is ongoing with our funding partner, the City of Edinburgh Council, as to how we might address the financial challenges and ensure our work to support the citizens of Edinburgh to be active and well continues!
There are no venue closures planned for at this time and customers should feel confident that we are doing everything we can to maintain all our venues.
It is very much business as usual so please keep using and supporting us!
New Year, new workouts! If you’re craving something different in 2024, Edinburgh Leisure is introducing two new limited edition Les Mills classes in January.
Les Mills Shapes and Strength Development are being launched at Edinburgh Leisure’s most popular fitness class venues, Meadowbank, Leith Victoria, and the Royal Commonwealth Pool.
Shapes is a Mind and Body class that mixes elements of Power Yoga, Pilates, and Barre, while Strength Development is a sequence of 12 progressive workouts that are designed to build muscle and improve lifting techniques.
Alex Smith, Fitness Manager at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Studio strength and toning based products is a big growing area within group exercise. If you’re not into using the free weights areas within a gym, then a studio strength and toning session will appeal to you. You get all the benefits of group-based training and still get to develop a sweat.
“The classes have been developed as something different from Les Mills regular-based workouts, and we’re aiming to capture the Gen Z market, a group historically underrepresented in group fitness. However, we see them appealing to our current fitness class customer too who may wish to try something new – especially our Mind/Body customers and those who are fans of weight training in classes such as Body Pump.”
“Both workouts are suitable for people of any fitness level so don’t worry if you’re a beginner. Even if you’re new to fitness classes, these new classes lower the intimidation barrier. Our instructors will invite you to work at your own pace and effort level within timed intervals of work.
“You also have the option to lose any equipment being used throughout the workout at any time you need to press pause. We want you to have full autonomy of your workout – not feeling tied to match the level of the person next to you who might have been doing classes for 10 years.
“The great thing about group fitness is that no matter your fitness level, everyone works to their personal best, and there’s a great sense of group and individual achievement within that training on your own in the gym can’t capture.”
Classes are available to book online and on the Edinburgh Leisure app from 4 January 2024.
Launch Weekend
To celebrate the new classes, Edinburgh Leisure will be holding a launch weekend on 13th and 14th January at 2024 at The Royal Commonwealth Pool, Leith Victoria Swim Centre, and Meadowbank Sports Centre, with new music releases of the classes customers know and love, which include BodyPump 127, BodyCombat 97, BodyBalance 102, RPM 100 and a special focus on the new products, Les Mills Shapes and Strength Development.
Meadowbank will host two one-off Les Mills Shapes classes delivered by Les Mills master trainer Holly Mason on Saturday, 13th.
RPM release 100 will also be hosted at Edinburgh Leisure’s cycle venues, which includes Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, Craiglockhart Leisure Centre, Drumbrae Leisure Centre, Leith Victoria Swim Centre, the Royal Commonwealth Pool, and Meadowbank Sports Centre, celebrating 25 years of RPM and 20 years of RPM at Edinburgh Leisure.
To find out more and to book, go to the Edinburgh Leisure website and the Edinburgh Leisure app.
With unlimited access to their 12 pools,17 gyms, indoor climbing and over 750+ fitness classes each week, Edinburgh Leisure has a new membership promotion that runs from 1st – 31st January 2024 and offers new members joining in January a no-joining-fee offer.
As we step into 2024, wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure provides a diverse array of fitness options, catering to individual preferences and goals.
Whether you’re a tech-savvy tracker, a studio enthusiast, or someone embracing a holistic wellness approach, embrace the New Year and let your fitness journey unfold with the guidance and support of Edinburgh Leisure.
Edinburgh Leisure offers insights into the upcoming fitness trends in 2024
As the world ushers in another year, the mantra “New Year, New You” takes centre stage, and fitness enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the trends that will shape their wellness journeys in 2024. Ally Strachan, Fitness Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure, offers insights into the upcoming fitness trends.
With unlimited access to their 12 pools,17 gyms, indoor climbing and over 750+ fitness classes each week, Edinburgh Leisure has a new membership promotion that runs from 1st – 31st January 2024 and offers new members joining in January a no-joining-fee offer.
As we step into 2024, wherever you’re at in life, Edinburgh Leisure provides a diverse array of fitness options, catering to individual preferences and goals.
Here’s what Ally Strachan believes are set to dominate the scene in 2024:
1. Wearable Tech Takes the Lead
Wearable technology is not a fleeting trend; it’s here to stay. Devices like Apple Watches and Fitbits continue to empower users by tracking exercise and activity data. Myzone, with its focus on specific exercise bouts and intensity levels, offers a more targeted approach. It’s also great for those who don’t want to be consumed by 24 hours’ worth of data.
2. Studio Strength and Toning
For those who shy away from the free weights area in the gym, studio strength and toning sessions are gaining popularity. You get all the benefits of group-based training and still get to develop a sweat. This January, Edinburgh Leisure introduces two new Les Mills classes—Shapes, a mind and body fusion of Power Yoga, Pilates, and Barre, and Strength Development, a sequence of 12 progressive workouts designed to build muscle and enhance lifting techniques.
3. Embracing LISS (Low Intensity Steady State)
In contrast to the high-intensity (HIIT) craze, which can be very taxing and requires more recovery, Low Intensity Steady State (LISS) training seems to be on more people’s lips than in previous years.
Ally says “I wouldn’t replace all of your high intensity training with LISS; however I would supplement LISS to a current exercise plan. By keeping it low intensity (60-65% max HR or low blue zone on your Myzone), this is something that can be done every day, by getting in more steps and increasing non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) to burn body fat. Take the stairs where possible or take a small walk every day.
4. Rise of Hybrid Training
Hybrid training is a growing trend with the likes of HYROX competitions taking place across the world. Combining cardiovascular and resistance-based methods in a single session, is gaining traction. Ally advises caution due to its intensity, suggesting consultation with Edinburgh Leisure’s knowledgeable gym staff to programme a workout effectively and safely according to individual fitness levels.
5. Body Composition Takes Centre Stage
While the fitness industry has long advocated for ignoring the number on a set of scales and more traditional metrics like BMI, newer technology allows for more accurate body composition testing. With Boditrax kiosks at The Royal Commonwealth Pool, Meadowbank, Drumbrae Leisure Centre, Leith Victoria Swim Centre and Glenogle Leisure Centre, this console offers customers the ability to track their progress conveniently via an app. There’s no better time to do this than in January when you’re already super motivated to make some great progress in your health and wellbeing.
6. Strength and Resistance Training Soars
The benefits of strength and resistance training extend beyond a sculpted physique. Improved posture, metabolism, bone density, joint strength, injury risk reduction, balance, and enhanced body composition are just a few of the advantages. Edinburgh Leisure’s gym team is ready to assist in creating personalised plans for optimal results.
7. Mind and Body Workouts for Holistic Wellness
Mind and body workouts such as Yoga, Pilates, and the new Les Mills Shapes class focus on both mental and physical well-being. These classes provide relaxation, stress relief, and mindfulness, catering to beginners and seasoned group fitness enthusiasts alike. In 2024 with an Edinburgh Leisure membership, you can enjoy the choice of over 300 Pilates, Yoga, Les Mills Shapes and Bodybalance classes – the best variety, choice and cost-effective mind and body classes in Edinburgh.
8. Functional Training for Everyday Life
Functional training mimics daily activities to build a stronger body and mind for everyday life. Think shoulder presses mimicking lifting something heavy onto a shelf, or weighted squats allowing you to get low to the floor with ease to play with your children or pets. Workouts such as Les Mills Strength Development, L1FT, Bodypump and Gym Blast classes use weight plates, barbells, dumbbells, and your own bodyweight to improve performance, mobility, strength, and stamina not just in your fitness classes, but in everyday life.
9. Get Fit For Surgery Programme Acknowledging the aging process, Edinburgh Leisure introduced a pilot referral “Get Fit For Surgery” programme in 2023. This 16-week initiative supports individuals awaiting hip and knee surgeries, enhancing overall health and well-being through fitness, strength building, and increased confidence.
10. Employee Wellbeing Initiatives Investing in employee wellbeing yields significant rewards. Edinburgh Leisure not only prioritises customer health but also supports staff with access to facilities as a job perk. One of the roles of their dedicated Director of Wellbeing is focusing on corporate initiatives to support staff’s mental and physical wellbeing.
If you want to invest in your staff’s wellbeing, get in touch to discuss their Corporate Membership, which provides unlimited access to our gyms, swimming pools, and fitness classes at discounted prices.
As we step into 2024, wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure provides a diverse array of fitness options, catering to individual preferences and goals.
Whether you’re a tech-savvy tracker, a studio enthusiast, or someone embracing a holistic wellness approach, the fitness trends of the year promise exciting and transformative experiences. Embrace the New Year and let your fitness journey unfold with the guidance and support of Edinburgh Leisure.
On 16th January, we’re hosting a recruitment open day at the Royal Commonwealth Pool and we’re inviting you to apply! No experience required, we’ll support you through your qualifications.
Another of Edinburgh Leisure’s gyms has had a major makeover, following hot on the heels of the recent one at the much-loved Leith Victoria gym.
Gracemount Leisure Centre’s gym has undergone a refurbishment and reopened today – Saturday, 9th December. This follows a huge renovation at another of their gyms, Leith Victoria Swim Centre, with it becoming the first gym in Scotland to get new high-tech SE4 consoles from Life Fitness, aimed at improving workouts.
New cardiovascular (CV) equipment is being upgraded to the latest model, SE4. This new CV kit gives the option of on-demand workouts, additional fitness testing and connectivity to apps such as Netflix and Spotify on a 24-inch HD screen, built in wireless charging and improved touch screen capacity. Some new bits of kit include an additional Powermill, a concept 2Ski-Erg, Watt Bike and Arc Trainer.
Resistance kit includes a new glute drive, Plate loaded Lateral row, and equipment upgrade on all their current models. Improvements to the free-weights areas is being made by the addition of another half rack and dumbbell benches and increasing the floor area. Dumbbells will increase up to 50kg, in addition to upgrading bars and weight plates, as well as functional equipment such as kettlebells.
There will be a new designated area for their Gym Based Circuit Classes, included as part of an Edinburgh Leisure full fitness or gym membership, and there will be brand-new flooring throughout the gym.
Gracemount have also introduced a new Boditrax body composition scanner. Others can be found in the gyms at Meadowbank Sports Centre, the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Leith Victoria Swim Centre, and Drumbrae Leisure Centre.
Boditrax is a quick, easy and accurate tool for measuring body metrics. By using it, customers will have a better understanding of body composition and overall fitness levels. Free for members to access whenever they visit the gym, they can easily monitor their progress.
Like Gracemount, Leith Victoria’s gym has also had a recent upgrade with the installation of the new cutting edge SE4 machines Additional racks for weight-lifters, new dumbbell benches, a Hammer Strength Air Bike and an Arc Trainer were also added, as were new stations in the gym for beginners looking to get started on their own personal fitness journey.
Studio 1, located off the gym, was also given a makeover, receiving a lick of paint as well as having the floors and stage sanded and varnished.
Leith Victoria previously underwent renovations in 2020 which included a refurbishment of the changing areas in the pool, updated lighting and heating to improve efficiency and works to restore damage to the outside of the property.
Ally Strachan, Fitness Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “We’re really excited about being the first gyms in Scotland to get the new high-tech SE4 Life Fitness consoles, which will really improve and enhance the customers’ experience.
“Edinburgh Leisure is constantly reinvesting thousands of pounds in improving our venues and equipment to ensure that customers are guaranteed as good an experience as any they might have at a private gym, but with the added bonus of flexibility and choice. As the biggest club in town, we like to think that wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure has something to suit you, with a budget to match.”
Edinburgh Leisure is currently offering a Winter pass promotion. A short-term alternative to a full-time membership, the two-week pass costs just £20 for 14 days.
Available to buy online or in venue from to 18th December, the Winter Pass includes unlimited access to all Edinburgh Leisure’s 17 state-of-the-art gyms, 12 swimming pools, the Turkish Baths at Portobello Swim Centre, over 750+ fitness classes per week, and Europe’s largest climbing arena at Ratho, and represents excellent value for money.
Edinburgh Leisure’s Danceability is featured in the new ‘Keeping Edinburgh’ podcast which has recently launched for people across Edinburgh to help boost social connections across Scotland’s Capital.
Danceability, funded by Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP), is one of several activities on offer as part of Edinburgh Leisure’s Fit & Active Programme – supporting those with disabilities to access socially connected, wellbeing-boosting fitness activities.
Support to get Fit & Active can be accessed by making a referral to Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities team. Everybody who is referred gets an access card that gives them reduced-cost access to activities such as the gym, swimming, or fitness classes for 1 year.
Edinburgh Leisure takes referrals from the Local Area Co-ordination Team supporting young adults, from support providers and social workers or people with a learning disability can also self-refer to request support.
Using their card, participants can attend any of Edinburgh Leisure’s gym, swim or fitness class sessions, as well as their specific Fit & Active activities for adults with learning disabilities that are available at Meadowbank Sports Centre and Leith Victoria Swim Centre.
Sara Kemp, Equalities Community Development Officer for Edinburgh Leisure, explains: “The funding from EHSCP is around supporting people to have more good days and physical activity is key to this.
“There is a lot of data out there that says that people with physical and learning difficulties were among the most affected by services closing and not restarting after the pandemic. They also experienced the most social isolation.
“If you think about lockdown, a lot of people who come to our classes rely on support workers to go out and meet other people so they can have fun in social situations – and all that was taken away.
“A lot of services didn’t restart after COVID-19 and that was due to a lack of funding for some of them, and at the beginning, due to restrictions on space. But Edinburgh Leisure has managed to restart Danceability and customers have started to come back after this period of potentially quite long isolation with the disabled community once again able to get out and socialise, and have a good time.”
The benefits of exercise are well documented. Beyond the physical benefits, keeping active can improve mental health, quality of life and overall well-being. The second episode, Keeping Edinburgh Active, explores how organisations are offering opportunities to improve accessibility for anyone to keep active, and how keeping active is helping build confidence amongst those facing emotional or physical struggles or other disadvantages.
The new ‘Keeping Edinburgh podcast’ launched in late November and is presented by Edinburgh-born singer-songwriter (and keyboardist to Callum Beattie) Gus Harrower. As well as a touring musician, Gus was approached for this project thanks to his ongoing work as an established Community Musician, working with major charities and organisations to empower and improve people’s well-being through music.
The initial six-episode pilot series is an investment by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, with the podcast designed and delivered in collaboration with partners across NHS Scotland and the third and independent sectors.
The series aims to highlight just some of the thousands of opportunities across the capital to support people’s well-being and launches at the start of the winter period – a time that sees increased pressure on health and social care services with research showing that those experiencing loneliness are more likely to visit their GP or A&E during this time.
Each half-hour episode provides an immersive audio journey into some of the many free-to-access social-prescribing experiences across the Capital, that are helping individuals and communities to have more good days. The first two episodes are available now to download via Apple and Spotify and feature experiences from several established Edinburgh organisations including Capital Theatres, Edinburgh Leisure, and Volunteer Edinburgh.
Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick, Strategic Programme Manager at the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership is committed to addressing social isolation as it is the number one public health issue globally.
She says, “It’s an issue we all have to try and tackle. Part of that comes from increasing our individual and collective awareness of the breadth and range of opportunities out there that can offer people the opportunity to connect with one another and have more good days.”
“Whether it’s arts initiatives, community meals, physical exercise, mindfulness, or simply getting outdoors, there are many different options to benefit from. We want to showcase a ‘tip of the iceberg’ view of what’s out there, as well as help listeners, get a taste of what it’s like to be part of different groups and activities – experience what it’s like to be in the room or places alongside people already benefitting from these activities.
“We hope to build that shared knowledge as well as that confidence with listeners to take their own first steps by hearing directly from others who are benefitting from these wonderful programmes.”
Launching with an initial two episodes – Keeping People Connected (ep 1) and Keeping People Active (ep 2) – further episodes of the initial six-episode series will be released monthly covering initiatives and spaces across the arts, physical activities, community gardens, volunteering, and more.
The ‘fly on the wall’ audio experience aims to offer an engaging content experience for anyone. For avid podcast listeners, its content and style of storytelling is one that sits within multiple genres, with a strong slant towards society and culture, as well as the podcast’s health and well-being-boosting intentions.
Stuck in a rut with your fitness regime? Scared to try something new? Then Edinburgh Leisure’s next Fitness Only Open Day could be the thing for you!
Taking place at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre in the north of the city, the free Fitness Open Day on Saturday, 2nd December is a chance to try before you buy or commit.
There will be high intensity classes such as Les Mills Bodypump, Bodyattack and Hatton Boxing classes to try in the Sports Hall, Mind and Body classes to experience in Studio 1, and free gym sessions and gym-based classes.
Wendy Avinou, Manager at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre said: “From time to time, people find themselves stuck in a rut or bored with their current fitness regime, but they don’t have the confidence to try something new. Our Fitness Open Day will hopefully be an opportunity for them to do just that.
“Open to existing and new members, come along and try something new. If you’re a fitness class bunny, why not ring the changes and see if you could combine it with some sessions in the gym, either on your own or in one of our quick, HIIT gym-based classes. Alternatively, come and try a different class from your norm – sometimes it takes a little courage to step outside of your comfort zone.”
For new members joining on the day, there will be a ‘no joining fee’ offer. There will also be a prize draw for all attendees with prizes of a free month’s membership, Myzone belts and AquaDash prizes.
Picture – Chris Watt Photography
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To get involved in Ainslie Park Fitness Open Day, gym sessions do not need to be booked but fitness and gym-based classes need to be booked. The activities are now available to book online or via the Edinburgh Leisure app.
Ainslie Park Leisure Centre has been keeping the community of north Edinburgh active for years. With swim, gym, and fitness classes and racquet sports such as Pickleball and badminton available, wherever you’re at on the map or in life, it’s easy to keep fit and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle at Ainslie Park. The centre is easily accessible by public transport, car and even by bike.
