Exercise classes set to restart at council’s leisure centres

Instructors at Chelmsford City Council’s leisure centres are getting ready for the return of some of their most popular sessions from May 17. As long as restrictions are lifted in line with the Government’s roadmap, the full complement of indoor exercise sessions including Powertone, Sh’Bam, Pilates, Spinning and much more will all be available in person again.

Around 200 classes every week

The leisure centres, which reopened on April 12, have been providing free online classes to monthly members to keep things going until the next stage of the roadmap. If everything goes to plan, members will be able to book in for classes from midday on Tuesday 11 May for sessions starting the following Monday. Across the four centres, around 200 classes will be running each week.

Unfreeze now if you want to book

Classes will be smaller than in pre-Covid times to comply with the social distancing rules that remain. If you’ve put your membership on hold until classes return, now is the time to unfreeze it to secure a spot. Contact your centre by phone for details about how to restart your monthly membership.

Ice rink reopening

Another headline is the reopening of the Riverside ice rink for public sessions, subject to sign off from British Ice Skating once the Government makes a final decision about May 17. Adults and kids should both be able to book into the rink and skates will be included this time around. Penguin aids will also be available for hire for young skaters.

300 extra swimming places available

Lane swimming and Family Fun sessions in the pools at Riverside and South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre have been in great demand since the centres reopened. More sessions will be available from May 17, with more than 300 extra spaces every week. If you’re a regular swimmer at Riverside but you can’t get the slot you want, don’t forget to try South Woodham Ferrers. Their 25-metre main pool is sometimes free when Riverside is booked up and there are regular Family Swim sessions too.

Kids’ courses return this half term

Get In! courses are back at the centres between 1 – 4 June. City Camps and Mini Camps will be running for 4 to 12-year-olds at Riverside and South Woodham. Skills Clinics and Active Fun sessions, with a wide range of activities from parkour to street dance are available at all four centres. There’s a 15% sibling and key worker discount on a range of courses – go to the Chelmsford City Sports website for all the details.

Riverside café to open

Last, but not least, the café at Riverside will be reopening from May 17. There’s plenty of space inside and out for a post-workout coffee with one of the nicest views of the River Chelmer. Keep an eye on the Riverside social media accounts for the latest on what’s on the menu.

Check out the full list of everything on offer and class timetables on the leisure centres’ website.