Women’s-only gym sessions encourage Chelmsford residents to improve their health and fitness
Women Time Weights is launching at Dovedale Leisure Centre on 4 November and will expand to Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre in January 2027. This follows a successful pilot at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre, where additional sessions were introduced to meet demand.
Encouraging women to try new activities
Women Time Weights is a 12-week series of women’s-only resistance training sessions, run by friendly instructors in your local community gym. The sessions are part of Chelmsford City Council’s Women Time project, which was developed in response to evidence that women are less likely than men to take part in regular physical activity.
Managed by the council’s Community Sport and Wellbeing team, Women Time aims to close the gender activity gap by providing low-cost women’s-only sport and activity sessions in the district and is made possible by funding from Active Essex and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project has subsidised women-only activities throughout the year, from weight training to tennis lessons, helping women try a new sport or activity in an encouraging and non-competitive environment.
According to This Girl Can, the availability of women-only classes makes one in five women feel more welcome in physical activity settings. So far, Women Time Weights is proving this to be true! Sessions at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre have been so well attended that Women Time Weights is now part of the centre’s regular bookable class schedule.
To build on this success, Women Time Weights is launching at Dovedale Leisure Centre from November and will expand to Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre in January 2027.
Councillor Jennie Lardge, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, says the sessions are a great way to try something new:
““I’m thrilled that Women Time Weights has been able to benefit so many women at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre and that it will soon benefit even more at Dovedale and CSAC. Supervised sessions are a fantastic way to try something you find daunting and to get comfortable in a new environment.
Cllr Jennie Lardge, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure
“Feeling intimidated by the gym is very common and, according to Sport England research, particularly for women. But, as we’ve found with these sessions, once you're inside, you start to relax in the environment. The staff at our leisure centres are always happy to help newcomers and the centres offer so many activities that there really is something for everyone.”
Why strength-based fitness training?
Strength-based fitness activity, such as resistance training, decreases cardiovascular risks, including diabetes and high blood pressure, improves balance and is said to benefit both your immune system and lymphatic system. Strength training is beneficial to all but becomes more important as we get older and our muscle mass decreases.
In women, this decline in muscle mass happens around the same time as menopause. That’s why Women Time Weights sessions are delivered by an instructor who specialises in perimenopausal- and menopausal-fitness – though all ages are welcome to attend the sessions.
Emma, who attended sessions at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre, said:
““I had wanted to try to get fit and gain confidence around weightlifting, so when I heard about these sessions through friends I decided to sign up. The class was very helpful and in a relaxed environment.
Emma, Women Time Weights participant
“Weight training can be quite intimidating but doing it alongside other women makes it a more comfortable experience. Taking part in the sessions inspired me to join the gym – I’m now a member and take part in other classes too.”
How to take part
Women Time Weights will begin at Dovedale Leisure Centre on Wednesday 4 November 2026. Sessions will take place every Wednesday, from 6pm to 6.45pm, for 12 weeks. The sessions cost £3 each, or you can book a 12-week block for £30 if you sign up before Wednesday 4 November 2026. Call 01245 605685 or visit reception at the centre to secure your place.
If Chelmsford Sport and Athletics Centre is your preferred gym, you’ll have to wait just a little longer, as sessions are planned to start there from 11 January 2027. There will be two 45-minute sessions a week, for 12 weeks, running on Tuesdays at 1pm and Sundays at 5pm. Sessions will cost £3 each. While bookings aren’t open yet, you can register your interest here.
Women Time Weights is now a regularly scheduled class at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre and can be booked online or via the app, like any other fitness class. There are two sessions to choose from every Friday, at 6.30pm and 7.30pm. The classes are available to casual customers at standard prices or, if you are a monthly member, they are included in your subscription. Either way, don’t forget to book! You can do this by calling 01245 605600, visiting reception, or booking via the app.
In all participating centres, the gym is open for general use during the sessions. The sessions are intentionally scheduled during quiet periods, to help participants feel comfortable, but you must be willing to share the space with other gym users.
Women Time Weights is aimed at beginners and covers all aspects of resistance training. The programme has been designed to enable participants to progress at their own pace, gain experience, and feel confident to train outside of the sessions, too.
You can find more women-only activities on the Women Time webpage and by visiting chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres/who.
