Under-16s in Merton will be able to attend free gym classes every week across the borough, starting in October half term, as part of Merton Council’s ambition to become London’s first Borough of Sport.

Special instructor-led classes will be available for 11 – 16 year-oldss to book at all three of the council’s leisure centres four times a week and will include Strength and Core Conditioning sessions.

The new initiative follows the success of the council’s ‘Kids Swim Free’ offer, which has benefitted thousands of young people since it launched in 2023.

Councillor Ross Garrod, Leader of Merton Council, said:

“As London’s Borough of Sport, we’ve made it possible for young people to access another activity for free, right on their doorstep.

“Adding free gym classes to our free swimming offer is just one of the ways we’re making sure every young person can get active, no matter their background.

“Family budgets shouldn’t dictate who gets to be active, and in Merton we’re making sure cost is never a barrier.”

One of the council’s Borough of Sport ambitions is for Merton’s children to be the most active in London, and progress is already being made.

According to Sport England’s Children and Young People’s Survey, the proportion of active children and young people in Merton are higher than both the London and national rates. With local rates rising year on year.

The new free gym classes programme is possible because of the council’s ongoing partnership with GLL, also known as Better Leisure, which runs the council’s three leisure centres in the Canons in Mitcham, Morden and Wimbledon.

• More details and information on how to book free gym classes are available here.