Navigating the New Year at our leisure centres

With the busy post-Christmas period on the horizon, we've put together a handy Navigating the New Year guide to help you get the most out of your membership in 2025.

Older teen girl at the gym

Whether they’re new to getting active or are regularly playing sport, our under 16s sessions welcome all abilities and will provide the right guidance and support throughout.

You can read more to see the information and restrictions for each of our sites that offer under 16s gym.

We offer different sessions at Riverside Leisure Centre for under 16s, depending on their age.

Junior Gym (10 to 13 years old)

For children wanting to get into the gym, we run dedicated sessions for 10 to 13 year olds. They will follow a flexible programme, using our cardiovascular equipment and a selection of resistance machines, guided by our specially-trained instructors.

Due to their popularity, you must book for junior gym sessions. They run on:

  • Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 4pm to 5pm
  • Saturdays and Sundays, from 12pm to 1pm

Under 16s gym (14 and 15 years old)

Those aged 14 and 15 will follow their own bespoke programme, created by our gym instructors during their induction. The programme will include our cardiovascular equipment, resistance machines and a selection of cable and free weight exercises, all under the supervision of our specially-trained instructors.

Our supervised sessions run from Monday to Friday between 3.30pm and 5.30pm, and you must book these sessions.

Outside of these times, 14 and 15-year-olds can attend the gym unsupervised before 3.30pm Monday to Friday or any time at the weekend. They can attend after 5.30pm if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian that is also a member. They do not need to book if they are not attending a supervised session.

Prices

  • ourChelmsford Lite card: £7.60
  • ourChelmsford Plus card: £6.50
  • ourChelmsford Premium Members: included

Save money by upgrading to an ourChelmsford Plus or monthly Premium membership for teens.

We offer different sessions at Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre (CSAC) for under 16s, depending on their age.

Junior Gym (10 to 13 years old)

For children wanting to get into the gym, we run dedicated sessions for 10 to 13 year olds. They will follow a flexible programme, using our cardiovascular equipment and a selection of resistance machines, guided by our specially-trained instructors.

Due to their popularity, you must book for junior gym sessions. They run on:

  • Monday to Fridays, from 4pm to 5pm
  • Saturdays and Sundays, from 12pm to 1pm
  • bank holidays, from 11am to 12pm

We will also run extra sessions during school holidays where possible. You will need to check the Chelmsford City Sports app for details.

Under 16s gym (14 and 15 years old)

Those aged 14 and 15 will follow their own bespoke programme, created by our gym instructors during their induction. The programme will include our cardiovascular equipment, resistance machines and a selection of cable and free weight exercises, all under the supervision of our specially-trained instructors.

You must book for a supervised session, which run on:

  • Monday to Friday from 3.30pm and 5.30pm
  • Saturdays and Sundays, from 12pm to 1pm
  • bank holidays, from 11am to 12pm

We will also run extra sessions during school holidays where possible. You will need to check the Chelmsford City Sports app for details.

Outside of these times, 14 and 15-year-olds can attend the gym if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian that is also a member. They do not need to book if they are not attending a supervised session.

Prices

  • ourChelmsford Lite card: £5.90
  • ourChelmsford Plus card: £4.60
  • ourChelmsford Premium Members: included

Save money by upgrading to an ourChelmsford Plus or monthly Premium membership for teens.

Junior Gym sessions at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre (SWFLC) are for children aged 10 to 15. All ages will need an induction.

Children aged 10 to 13 will follow a set programme.

Those aged 14 and 15 will follow their own bespoke programme, set by our gym staff at their induction.

Alongside cardiovascular equipment, those aged 12 to 15 will also be able to use some fixed resistance equipment.

Full-time use of the gym is available from age 14 when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Times

  • Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 5pm to 6pm and 6pm to 7pm
  • Wednesdays: 5pm to 6pm
  • Saturdays: 10am to 11am and 11am to 12pm

School holidays only

  • Thursdays and Fridays: 9.30am to 10.30am and 10.30am to 11.30am

Prices

Ages 14 to 15

  • ourChelmsford Lite card: £6.10
  • ourChelmsford Plus card: £5.10

If you have an ourChelmsford Premium Membership, gym use is included in the price.

Save money by upgrading to an ourChelmsford Plus or monthly Premium membership for teens.

Our under 16s gym sessions are very popular, so you must book in advance. You can book a session online, via the app or by calling the centre:

You can book:

  • ten days in advance if you have a monthly membership
  • seven days in advance if you have an ourChelmsford Plus card
  • two days in advance if you have an ourChelmsford Lite card
  • All first-time attendees must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, as we require a signature on a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q).

  • If an attendee is aged 10 to 12 years old, we also ask that a parent or guardian collect them from the gym or provide written agreement allowing them to leave the centre unaccompanied.

  • If you are unable to attend a session you have booked, you need to cancel, otherwise we will charge you, as per our terms and conditions.

At Riverside

  • There is a male group changing area and a female group changing area located by studio 2 on the first floor.
  • A Changing Places area is located by studio 1 on the first floor.
  • Lockers with number keypads are located in the dryside changing room near the gym on the first floor.

At CSAC and SWFLC

  • If you want to use a locker, you will need a £1 token from reception to release the key. You will get the £1 back when you return the token.
  • There is a male group changing area and a female group changing area.
  • Accessible changing facilities are available.

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