Freeman's Quay gym

Our gym staff will help you develop a training programme and, with ongoing support, we'll help you achieve your goals. 

Our leisure centres have reopened. Only gyms and fitness classes will be available at first and you must pre-book your visit.

We are still looking at how we can safely reopen our swimming pools and other leisure centre activities such as courts.

See Leisure centres re-opening information for full details.

Book a class or gym session

You can also contact your leisure centre to book over the phone if you have a leisure membership only. See our Fitness classes page to view our timetables.

Non members

If you don't have a leisure membership, you can still book and pay for your sessions online but you must have a Thrive card. Login or register to book your class, gym or weights session online.

If you don't have a Thrive card, you can order this online free of charge, using the promotion code COMEBACK. Simply request your leisure centre membership online and select 'Leisure Card Adult' (normally £5). Once you've placed your order, you'll be given your membership number and you'll be able to register to book your session.

Lost cards (members and non members)

If you've lost your card, please email csleisuremanagement@durham.gov.uk. We'll order a replacement card for you, and also give you your membership number so that you can login or register to book your session.

Information about your session

Gym slots are one hour in length. This includes time taken to enter and leave the building, and we aim to give you a workout time of 50 minutes.

You can book up to two sessions in a day, either fitness classes, gym or weights sessions or a combination of these. At the end of each session, you must leave the leisure centre and re-enter, following our entry procedure.

As part of our interim Covid-19 fitness class programmes, you can book any class in any leisure centre regardless of what group your membership is in. We have changed the names and descriptions of some of our fitness classes - see our Fitness classes.

Cancel if you can't attend

Please remember to cancel your class or session if you're not able to attend. If possible give a minimum of 12 hours notice, so that someone else can book the place. Login to your account, as if you are going to book your class, gym or weights session online to cancel your session.

How to use the leisure centres safely

We have extra staff in our leisure centres to support you in following the new arrangements.

We have signs in place to help you move safely around the centre and have a strict cleaning regime in place along with extra hand sanitiser and cleaning stations.

Some of our gym equipment has been moved and safety screens put in place to help you socially distance, and we are limiting the numbers of people and movement during classes.

What you must know before you arrive

To ensure your safety and the safety of others, you must:

• Pre-book your gym sessions and classes (you can book up to seven days in advance).
• Arrive five minutes before your session start time - if you arrive late, you will have to re-book a later session.
• Arrive wearing clothing sutable for your activity - changing rooms and showers are closed and lockers are not available.
• Bring your own mats and blocks for fitness classes and belts and chalk for the gym as these are not provided. Where available you can buy mats in our centres for £10.
• Bring your own drink - water fountains are not available.

Please do not attend if you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 - see what to do if you think you have Coronavirus, which includes common symptoms.

Only wear a face covering if you want to - it isn't recommended while exercising because it may reduce your ability to breathe properly while exercising.

How to enter the building

• Follow social distancing signs that are displayed outside and inside our leisure centres.
• You may need to queue outside until your session is due to start. 
• Our staff will give you guidance on entering the building.
• On entering, you must sanitise your hands, scan your card and check-in with our team. When you check-in, we'll confirm that we have your correct details, so that we can support NHS test and trace.

How to clean the equipment

There will be instructions around the leisure centre explaining how to clean your equipment and our staff will be there to advise you.

• Clean before and after you use a piece of equipment (if you are attending a fitness class, your coach will tell you when to clean).
• Use the paper towel and cleaning product at the cleaning stations provided.
• Spray the paper towel with the cleaning product.
• Make sure you clean all touch points such as screens, handles and pads, starting from the top of the equipment and finishing on the seat. 
• Put your dirty paper towel straight into the bins provided.
• Please wipe the floor if any cleaning product is spilt and tell a member of our team.

How to leave the building

• You must leave the building before the end of your booking slot - please make sure you are ready to leave ten minutes before the end. We will work with you to help you leave on time.
• If you are attending a fitness class, your coach will tell you when to leave the building.

Additional support

If you require extra support to access our leisure centres, or if you attend with a carer please contact your leisure centre to arrange.

If you need to speak to someone before your centre re-opens, please call one of the following leisure centres between 9.00am and 4.00pm daily until your leisure centre re-opens: Freeman's Quay (03000 268 488); The Louisa Centre (03000 262 444); Newton Aycliffe (03000 266 446) or Spennymoor (03000 261 161).

Membership

If you have a leisure centre membership, we are writing to you to explain your membership options (due to Covid-19). You will either receive this by email or post. If you have not heard from us by 10 August, please email csleisuremanagement@durham.gov.uk, and include your name and membership number. Your membership number is on your Thrive card.

If you are interested in becoming a member, see our Leisure centre memberships page for more information.

Join today

Take out a gym membership and enjoy unlimited gym use during opening times, public swimming sessions and group exercise classes. Sign-up for a gym or swim membership online - the quickest and easiest way to join.

Membership prices

Membership includes:

• Free 1:1 personal programme
• Free sauna and steam where available
• £1 swimming at Chester-le-Street leisure centre and Woodhouse Close leisure complex
• Discounted group exercise classes at Abbey, Meadowfield and Chester-le-Street leisure centres, Woodhouse Close and Riverside leisure complexes

With this membership, you'll have the same access to Newton Aycliffe, Shildon-Sunnydale, Spennymoor and Teesdale leisure centres. See our Leisure memberships - terms and conditions for more information.

Freeman's Quay gym is run in partnership with Lifestyle Fitness. The gym is fully kitted out with high quality cardiovascular and strength equipment to ensure a thorough and enjoyable workout each time you step inside.