Durham County Council is encouraging residents to improve their physical health this National Fitness Day.
A month-long programme of September activities, including fitness challenges and interactive prize wheels, has been launched across the county to inspire local communities to stay active.
This includes offering residents free seven-day passes to the council’s leisure centres throughout the month, which can be used to access the sites’ pools, classes and gyms.
Residents can also access a free week-long Move Plus Pass, which can be used for gentle exercise classes, pools and walking sports sessions. It can also be used to access the council’s Move Hubs, which offer power-assisted exercise equipment.
There will also be free taster sessions for yoga, pilates and HIITStep available at some sites. And aspiring runners can join the new wave of the Couch to 5k programme, now underway at sites across the county.
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said:
“Exercise in any form, whether that’s a gentle walk or intense cardio, is beneficial to health and wellbeing. We want to encourage residents to explore ways to incorporate movement into their daily life, no matter their fitness level.
“As part of this ambition, we are committed to driving positive lifestyle change and increasing opportunities for residents to access physical activity across the county. National Fitness Day is a perfect chance to encourage people to try something new and find a type of exercise that works for them.”
On National Fitness Day itself, Wednesday 16 September, leisure centre members can spin the wheel at their local site for the chance to win memberships, guest passes for friends and family, and entries into a grand prize draw.
Two fitness challenges will run throughout September, giving residents the opportunity to win a range of membership prizes by earning MOVE points through the Technogym app.
As part of the campaign, members who achieve 2,000 MOVE points on National Fitness Day, 16 September, will be entered into a prize draw to win a free 12-month membership.
In addition, participants who accumulate 15,000, 30,000 or 50,000 MOVE points during September will be entered into separate prize draws, providing even more opportunities to be rewarded for staying active.
For more information about National Fitness Day, visit www.thriveleisure.co.uk/index.php/activities/september-national-fitness-day-2026/
