Encourage your pre-school child to get active from an early age by signing them up for Play & Try coached activities.
As the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, Edinburgh Leisure is well-placed to encourage your child to reach their full potential, help them build confidence, learn skills, and meet friends at the city’s largest sports and leisure provider.
Edinburgh Leisure is offering a taster week from 13th – 19th September where new and existing customers can come and try coached activities for under 5s for £3.00 per session. Tailored for little ones, from babies to pre-schoolers, these fun and engaging sessions are all about having a blast while exploring the first steps into various sports.
Classes include Gym and Jump, Gym Nippers, Swim Baby, Swim Nippers, Swim Toddler, Pre-School Dry Dive Gym, Jump Into Sport, Football Mini Kickers and Kick Starters. Sessions will be offered at Ainslie Park, Drumbrae, Gracemount, Kirkliston and the Royal Commonwealth Pool and are suitable for babies and toddlers.
For those that loved the taster sessions, parents can sign up their child/children for a coaching course at the venue on the same day, with the September fee waived.*
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. And it’s never too early to start.
As National Fitness Day approaches on September 18th, themed ‘Your Health is for Life,’ there’s no better time to jumpstart your fitness routine. Whether you’re seeking a cost-effective option or simply a change of scenery, Edinburgh Leisure’s latest membership campaign is here to support you.
With unlimited access to gyms, pools, fitness classes, and climbing facilities, Edinburgh Leisure has everything you need to build a healthier lifestyle.
Running from September 1st to 30th 2024, new members can take advantage of a special no-joining-fee offer, saving up to £35. Enjoy additional member benefits including priority bookings, free gym introduction and 1:1 Instructor sessions.
And unlike many other providers, there are no contracts – with the ability to freeze or cancel your membership.
This offer applies to golf, gym, swim, fitness class, and climb memberships, with flexible monthly options to fit any budget: Golf (from £46.00), Gym (£39.99), Swim (£45.99), Fitness Class (£45.99), Climb (£54.50), and Full Fitness (£59.99). The offer excludes soft play, and junior fitness memberships. Memberships can be conveniently purchased online (terms and conditions apply).
To make the journey even more enjoyable, Edinburgh Leisure is introducing ‘Free Friend Fridays’ throughout the campaign. On the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th of September, members can bring a friend along for free, so they too can try before they buy, allowing them to experience Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities before committing to a membership.
Additionally, Edinburgh Leisure’s friendly and experienced gym staff are available at no extra cost to help members develop and review personalised fitness programs, ensuring everyone receives the support they need, regardless of their fitness journey.
With 17 gyms, 12 swimming pools, over 750 fitness classes per week and the biggest climbing arena in Europe, Edinburgh Leisure has something wherever you’re at on the map or in life.
In a celebration of the 100th release of BodyCombat™, Edinburgh Leisure is hosting a day dedicated to this popular workout, loved by many across the city.
Being held on 21st September at Edinburgh Leisure’s Meadowbank Sports Centre from 9.30-11.30 am, entry is free for members or just £5 for non-members.
BodyCombat is a workout combining multiple martial arts disciplines set to music which appeals to all ages and abilities as it is incredibly adaptable to the individuals’ fitness level. One of the oldest and most popular fitness class programmes, it comes sixth in popularity behind BodyPump, RPM, Aquafit, Yoga and Pilates.
Alex Smith, Fitness Class Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Last year Edinburgh Leisure hosted 400,000 BodyCombatters across the city and we want to celebrate their commitment to the programme. Even if you’re new to BodyCombat, come along and give it a try to master the moves and feel the movement.”
BodyCombat is available at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, Drumbrae Leisure Centre, Craiglockhart Leisure Centre, Leith Victoria Swim Centre, Meadowbank Swim Centre, Royal Commonwealth Pool, Gracemount Leisure Centre, Glenogle Swim Centre, Portobello Swim Centre and Kirkliston Leisure Centre.
Spaces are limited so make sure you book your place now online or via the Edinburgh Leisure app.
Inspired by the Paris 2024 Olympics, St James Quarter in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure is inviting guests to ‘get active’ from 26 July—11 August, with a whole host of sporting festivities and special guests, as it launches its ‘Festival of Sport’ right in the heart of the city.
Spectators can visit the Fanzone on Level 5 at St James Quarter to cheer on their favourite athletes from the comfort of the Quarter’s rooftop bar, with captivating views of Edinburgh’s historic Calton Hill.
As the official Team GB Fanzone in Scotland, St James Quarter will be showing all the live action from the Olympics in Paris on a giant screen, delivered in partnership with Ocean Outdoor.
As part of the two-week-long Festival of Sport, St James Quarter, in partnership with Edinburgh Leisure, is hosting a range of free fitness activities to inspire guests to get active and move more. From Pilates to Body Combat, Hatton Boxing to Musical Theatre Fitness, there’s something for everyone to get into the spirit of the Games, including family friendly classes.
Alex Smith, Fitness Class Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Edinburgh Leisure is a charity helping people be active. Managing over 50 sports, leisure and schools facilities across the city, we are committed to creating opportunities for everyone to get active and stay active.
“This is an exciting partnership and a great opportunity to showcase what Edinburgh Leisure is about. Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure has something for everyone. Come along and book in for some of the fitness classes on offer and get a taste of what we’re all about.”
The Edinburgh Leisure team is looking forward to cheering on three of their own colleagues who have headed to Paris to represent diving at the Olympics.
Performance Dive Coach – Jen Leeming, who has been working for Edinburgh Leisure for 12 years developing the diving programme, is attending with Team Jamaica, having coached Edinburgh Leisure Dive Coach, Yona Knight-Wisdom, who is representing his country. Meanwhile, Dive Specialist Vicki Tomlinson will represent GB as a diving judge.
Three of Edinburgh Leisure’s staff are heading to Paris representing diving at this year’s Olympics.
Performance Dive Coach Jen Leeming, who has been working for Edinburgh Leisure for 12 years developing the diving programme, will be attending the 2024 Olympics with Team Jamaica, having coached Edinburgh Leisure Dive Coach, Yona Knight-Wisdom, who is representing his country. Meanwhile, Dive Specialist Vicki Tomlinson will be representing GB as a diving judge.
This will be Jen’s second Olympics Games, but third with Edinburgh divers competing at the Games. In 2016 she coached ex-Edinburgh diver Grace Reid to the 2016 Rio Olympic 3m final but was unable to attend as coach. Then, in 2021 Jen supported Edinburgh Diver James Heatly to the Olympic 3m final in Tokyo. Jen and Yona will be travelling out on 23rd July to Paris.
Jen Leeming said: “For Edinburgh to produce three Olympians over 8 years is amazing and really demonstrates the progress and excellent facilities and coaching in Edinburgh.
“Yona is an extremely professional athlete who demonstrates a high-level of consistency day in, day out. Yona is a true role model for all divers in Edinburgh and Great Britain. We are very lucky to have him as an athlete and coach in our programme.”
Born, raised and educated in Leeds, Yona Knight-Wisdom started diving at 9 years old in 2004, deciding to represent his father’s nation of Jamaica in 2011. He graduated from Leeds Beckett in 2016 with a degree in sports science, and also started coaching diving in 2013.
Yona night-Wisdom moved to Edinburgh in 2018 solely to continue his pursuit of diving at the highest level. Yona Knight-Wisdom says: “Jen was the main reason for choosing to move to Edinburgh and it turned out to be the best choice as she was key in getting me to Tokyo and now to Paris.
“Jen was a coach in Leeds when I started diving so she already knew me well and I knew she’d be a great coach for me. As she is about to start a new non-coaching role with Aquatics GB, I’m excited that I’ve given her the opportunity to finish this part of her coaching career at the highest level.
“I needed a job up here and coaching was perfect for me and I have been working with Edinburgh Leisure since 2019. Currently coaching a talent development squad, I have four divers going to compete at the upcoming national age groups.”
Paris will be Yona’s third games after Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. He has won silver medals at the 2016 World Cup and 2019 Pan Am Games as well as at two Grand Prix events. He currently trains 11 sessions over six days of the week which comes up to about 25 hours of training, and also coaches a squad five days a week.
Vicki Tomlinson who has worked for Edinburgh Leisure as a dive co-ordinator at the Royal Commonwealth Pool since 2008, will be representing GB as a coach.
Vicki Tomlinson (centre) says: “Like Jen and Yona, I’m also from Leeds. I started judging ‘professionally’ back in 2017 and I really do have a lot of thanks to give to Edinburgh Leisure for their support, who put me through the World Aquatic Judging School, which was the start of everything for me.
“I wasn’t even thinking of Olympics at the time –it was more of a hobby and a chance to see elite level diving and bring back the knowledge I learned to my role back in Edinburgh. It was only really in the last year that my Olympic dream became more of a reality when I was selected for the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, as well as other world level events in Doha, Berlin, Monreal and Xian. It’s been a crazy busy year but I’ve loved every minute.
Tomlinson found out about her Olympic selection in March having made it into the top 10 European judges and she goes to Paris for two weeks from July 24th.
This will be her first Olympic Games. She has yet to receive her judging schedule but it’s likely a variety of springboard, platform and synchronised events.
Five divers from Team Canada – Margo Erlam (Calgary, Alta), Caeli McKay (Calgary), Kate Miller (Ottawa), Rylan Wiens (Saskatoon) Nathan Zsombor-Murray (Pointe-Claire ) have also been making use of the diving facilities at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, and have been training alongside Edinburgh Leisure’s diving performance squad, before heading to Paris to compete.
Edinburgh was their main choice due to the facilities and being in a great city with opportunities for the divers to relax outside of training.
For those that fancy themselves as a Tom Daley, James Heatly, Grace Reid or indeed Yona Knight-Wisdom, Edinburgh Leisure has a diving pool at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, complete with a dedicated Dry Dive Area with trampolines and harnesses.
Their diving programme follows the National Diving Award Scheme with classes to suit beginners right through to those at a competitive level.
Alongside their diving classes, Edinburgh Leisure offer a range of public diving sessions, which allow you to come along and try out or practice your diving skills. These sessions do not need to be pre-booked, simply check out the online timetable for session information and go along.
For more information on dive coaching at Edinburgh Leisure, visit:
Tennis fever may be over but as the world hots up for the next big sporting occasion, Paris 2024, Edinburgh Leisure is encouraging kids to go for gold this summer with their own mini-games challenge.
Featuring a variety of kids and family summer activities including AquaDash, Clip n’ Climb, soft play, Come & Try Coaching sessions, Holiday Camp & Coaching programme, racquet sports and more, kids are being encouraged to try as many activities as possible to complete a Game Card, which will be entered into a prize draw for some amazing prizes.
Go for Gold Game cards can be picked up from any participating Edinburgh Leisure venue. Each game card has a 5 x 5 grid of activities. Once an activity is completed, children will receive a bespoke gold sticker to fill their card. After completing at least one activity from each column, the finished card can be submitted at any participating venue to enter a prize draw.
The prize draw will take place during the week commencing 19 August.
*There will be three winners who can choose from a choice of:
Soft play membership for one month for up to 2 children
Clip ‘n Climb for 2 children or 1 adult and 1 child
Aquadash for 2
1-1 35-minute dive lesson with European Junior Athlete
Angela McGowan, Edinburgh Leisure’s Coaching Programme Manager said: “Few of us will ever be Olympians, but we know that keeping active is good for everyone and our Go For Gold summer mini games is Edinburgh Leisure’s way of encouraging kids to get the active habit in a fun and sociable way during the summer holidays, while encouraging kids to achieve their own medal.”
The Go For Gold promotion will run at most Edinburgh Leisure venues from 15 July – 11 August 2024.
Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s leading sports and leisure provider is calling on anyone looking for a new challenge to don their tartan and join them to take part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk to raise funds for their award-winning Ageing Well project.
An Edinburgh Leisure and NHS Lothian initiative, Ageing Well keeps hundreds of older adults in Edinburgh more connected and physically active, by offering low-cost city-wide activities that encourage active living and socialisation all the while boosting their health and wellbeing.
Jenny Selman, Funding Manager for Edinburgh Leisure explained: “Part of our Active Communities programme, Ageing Well is led or supported by trained older adult volunteers and our participants and volunteers really benefit both mentally and physically from taking part.
“It caters for a diverse range of interests and abilities, with activities including walking groups, cycling, gardening at our allotment and buddy swimming.
“Unfortunately, the programme is facing a funding shortfall of £17k, so we’re encouraging people to sign up to the Kiltwalk to raise some much-needed funds for Ageing Well and hopefully, get active, and stay active because of taking part.
“We hope that the funds raised by our supporters, coupled with generous donations we receive throughout the year, will enable us to continue with this valued programme. Every pound raised really will make a difference.”
All those signing up to the Kiltwalk to raise funds for Edinburgh Leisure will receive a 50% discount on the registration fee and also an Edinburgh Leisure T-shirt and a tartan-themed snood.
The Kiltwalk takes place on Sunday, 15th September 2024. Three walk lengths are available:
The Mighty Stride (approx. 21 miles) – £20£10 registration fee
The Big Stroll (approx. 11 miles) – £20£10 registration fee
The Wee Wander (approx. 5 miles) – £12.50£6.25 for adults, £6.50£3.25 for children
Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme supports 12,500 people who face the greatest barriers to getting active annually – people affected by health conditions, inequalities, and poverty.
Your participation in the Kiltwalk will raise crucial funds to promote health, happiness, and connectedness among older adults in Edinburgh whilst contributing to a fantastic and enjoyable event.
To find out more about signing up with Edinburgh Leisure to walk the Kiltwalk, and to get your 50% discount,click here.
Encourage your pre-school child to get active from an early age by signing them up for the under 5s coaching at Edinburgh Leisure and you will get one-month’s free soft play membership in August. The offer also applies to existing soft play members.
The offer is valid for those signing up for under 5s coaching before 30th July 2024 and gives unlimited access to all three of Edinburgh Leisure’s soft play venues across the city at Tumbles at Portobello, Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool or Scrambles at Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena.
With designated baby, toddler, and junior zones, each soft play ensures fun and adventure for kids and a café for tasty treats and snacks for the adults and children.
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. And it’s never too early to start.
And as the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, Edinburgh Leisure is well-placed to encourage your child to reach their full potential, help them build confidence, learn skills, and meet friends.
From football, tennis, gymnastics, or swimming, you can even mix it up with their Jump into Sport, Gym and Jump or Athletics classes.
To find out more and to sign up for this offer, visit:
Ageing Well is looking for participants interested in joining a new 6-week Beginner Introductory Nordic Walking course, which they will be introducing in August.
The Ageing Well Project is run by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with NHS Lothian and delivers a range of city-wide activities which support people to become, and remain, active in later life. The emphasis is on meeting new people whilst making physical activity accessible and enjoyable.
The six-week course will start in August on a date to be decided, depending on interest and is delivered by a Nordic Walking UK trained instructor. It is likely the sessions will take place every Wednesday, starting at 10.00 am.
Participants will meet at Saughton Park and would be expected to attend the first four sessions which introduces the use of Nordic poles and covering the skills and techniques of Nordic walking. Each session will last 1-hour, and poles will be provided if people do not already have their own.
The final two weeks of the 6-week course, participants will put into practice their newfound skills by going out on a walk in the local area turning a walk into a workout. Nordic Walking can help aid recovery if the participant has had an injury or prevent injury by improving strength and fitness and it’s a great way to meet new people and make friends.
Ageing Well activities have been developed to cater for a wide range of tastes and abilities and all activities are either led by or supported by fully trained volunteers, who are all older adults themselves.
Cat Wilson, Active Communities Project Officer at Edinburgh Leisure said: “This new course will complement our already popular regular walks which take place in different locations around the city each week. It’s for anyone who would like to try a new activity, meet some like-minded people, and get physically active.”
“Nordic walking origins are Finnish with more than 10 million people globally enjoying this outdoor activity. The evidence shows that you can burn around 20% more calories compared to conventional walking. The use of poles means the effort is divided across the upper and lower body, so it feels easier, particularly when walking uphill.”
Ageing Well relies on external funding and donations to deliver its programmes across Edinburgh. A donation of £3 per week is therefore appreciated for this activity. This can be paid online in one go or each week. People’s generous support means Edinburgh Leisure can provide a range of activities to reach more older adults in need of their support, protecting their health and wellbeing and improving their quality of life.
In 2018 the Ageing Well programme was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), which is the highest award given to UK volunteer groups and is the equivalent of an MBE. The award reflects the tremendous contribution of Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well volunteers and the positive difference they make to the lives of participants.
To find out more and/or to register your interest in joining the initial 4-week introductory course, contact active@edinburghleisure.co.uk or call 0131 458 2260
Customers at Leith Victoria Swim Centre celebrated the Victorian pool’s 125-year anniversary on Friday, 28th June, with a Bake-Off, which raised over £375 much-needed funds for Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme.
Local businesses including Hobz Bakery, Krema Bakehouse, The Babyfaced Baker and The Pastry Section, staff and customers all embraced their inner Mary Berry to create some showstoppers.
They were judged by Edinburgh Leisure’s previous Chief Executive, June Peebles, who retired in March 2024 after 38 years’ service with Edinburgh Leisure, along with Jen Holland, their new CEO, and one of Leith Victoria’s regular customers Christine Findlay, 71 years, who attends 19 classes a week at the Leith Viccies.
The baking competition was won by Kerry Teakle, Edinburgh Leisure’s PR Officer with her tried and tested Almond, Orange and Whisky cake.
The Bake-Off judging took place following a busy Aqua and yoga class that took place earlier in the building, when participants often congregate for a coffee and a blether after.
Brought up in the Colonies in Lochend Road, Christine Findlay, 71 Years, and one of the Bake-Off judges, has been using the centre since her childhood and continues to use Leith Victoria today.
Christine said: “I’ve been using the centre for years. Many people came for the hot baths, but we were lucky as we had a bath in our house, so didn’t need to use those facilities.
Christine, who still works as a carer attends 19 classes, six days a week at Leith Victoria. She used to swim seven days a week but now only swims on Fridays.
Christine explains why people keep coming back: “Viccies is a community. This is my second home, and everyone here is like your second family. I’ve made great friends and even go on holiday with people I’ve met here.
“I’ve been coming since my childhood and this continued when I had my family and I still come with my grandchildren today. Without this place, I don’t know what I’d do. We support each other through the good times and the bad.”
Louise Bathgate, Manager at Leith Victoria explained: “At 125 years old, Leith Victoria is rich in history, as well as holding a special place in so many people’s hearts locally with generations of families having learnt to swim here.
“The Bake-Off was a good excuse to have a celebration in honour of Viccies’ 125th birthday and to raise much-needed funds for Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programmes, which rely on external funding to make it happen.
“The funds raised by this event, along with two other events that have been held at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre and Meadowbank Sports Centre in the last couple of months, have raised over £750 to support disadvantaged people in our communities to improve their health and wellbeing.”
Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities supports 12,500 people annually who face the greatest barriers to get active – people affected by health conditions, inequalities, and poverty.
As a venue, Leith Victoria Swim Centre holds 23 Active Community classes each week and is one of Edinburgh Leisure’s busiest venues supporting hundreds of people in the local community.
