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From Monday 12 June some of our leisure centre activity prices will increase. This is in line with our annual fees and charges report to harmonise pricing across our leisure centres. Please ask staff for more information. 

Gym memberships


A gym membership will give you access to our gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes. Where you choose to exercise will determine which membership group you choose to sign up to.

Who can join

If you are 16 years or above, you can sign up for a gym membership. If you are 11 to 15 years please see our Young Lifestyle membership. Concessions include people who are:

  • under 19 years
  • over 60 years
  • registered disabled
  • a carer
  • in receipt of some benefits, including Income Support

Visit Leisure centre pricing guide for a full list of eligibility criteria. 

How to join

Gym offers

Single site promotion

We are currently running a single site promotion at the following leisure centres: 

  • Spennymoor Leisure Centre £24.99 per month
  • Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre £19.99 per month
  • Shildon-Sunnydale Leisure Centre £19.99

Single site memberships offer you a discounted rate to join a single leisure centre. Single site members can access the gym, exercise classes and swimming activities at your chosen leisure centre. Ask a member of staff for more details or view Gym membership single site promotional terms and conditions.

Free three day pass

Try our leisure centres for free with a three day complimentary pass. Simply call or visit your local Leisure centres and ask for your free three day pass. 

Whether you prefer a workout in the gym, an exercise class or a dip in the pool our three day pass can help you find an activity that suits you. 

Gym membership groups

Our gym memberships give you access to up to five gyms (depending on your membership), free swimming and a wide range of Group Exercise fitness classes. 

We have four gym membership groups, plus our Young Lifestyles membership. The group membership you have determines which leisure centres you have unlimited access to (ie during opening and general swim times). See below

GroupLeisure centres
Group 1Freeman's Quay (Durham City), Newton Aycliffe, Shildon-Sunnydale, Spennymoor, Teesdale (Barnard Castle)
Group 2Shildon-Sunnydale, Teesdale
Group 3Abbey, Meadowfield, Chester-le-Street, Woodhouse Close
Group 4Consett, The Louisa Centre (Stanley)
Group 5Wolsingham
Group 6Peterlee and Seaham
Young Lifestyle membershipAll leisure centres - available for 11 - 15 year olds

Group 1 Leisure Membership

 

Unlimited gym use during opening times, swimming - where available - during general swimming times and group exercise classes at the following leisure centres:

  • Freeman's Quay (Durham City)
  • Newton Aycliffe
  • Shildon-Sunnydale
  • Spennymoor
  • Teesdale (Barnard Castle)

      Type of contractMonthly payment
      Standard 12 month Direct Debit contract£34.50
      Standard non contract (pay monthly)£44.50 plus a £20 joining fee (current offer £34.50 - save £10 per month plus no joining fee)
      Standard annual paid in full£414
      Concession 12 month Direct Debit contract£22.50
      Concession Annual paid in full£270
      Corporate 12 month Direct Debit contract£28.50

      Membership includes:

      • free 1 to 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

      Group 2 leisure membership

      Unlimited gym use during opening times, swimming - where available - during general swimming times and group exercise classes at the following leisure centres:

      • Shildon-Sunnydale
      • Teesdale (Barnard Castle)

      Type of contractMonthly payment
      Standard 12 month Direct Debit contract£26
      Standard non contract (pay monthly)£36 plus £20 joining fee (current offer £26.00 - save £10 per month plus no joining fee)
      Annual paid in full£312
      Concession 12 month Direct Debit contract£17
      Concession annual paid in full£204
      Corporate 12 month Direct Debit contract£21.50

      Membership includes:

      • free 1 to 1 personal programme
      • free sauna where available
      • £1 swimming at Freeman's Quay, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe and Chester-le-Street leisure centres, and Woodhouse Close leisure complex
      • discounted group exercise classes at Freeman's Quay, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe, Abbey, Meadowfield and Chester-le-Street leisure centres, Woodhouse Close

      Group 3 leisure membership

      Unlimited gym use during opening times, swimming - where available - during general swimming times and group exercise classes at the following leisure centres:

      • Abbey (Durham) (Abbey Leisure Centre is currently closed for refurbishment works)
      • Chester le Street
      • Meadowfield
      • Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex (Bishop Auckland)

      Membership typeMonthly payment
      Standard 12 month Direct Debit contract£26
      Standard non contract (pay monthly)£36.00 plus £20 joining fee (Current offer £26 - save £10 per month plus no joining fee)
      Annual paid in full£312
      Concession 12 month Direct Debit contract£17
      Concession annual paid in full£204
      Corporate 12 month Direct Debit contract£21.50

      Membership includes:

      • free 1 to 1 personal programme
      • free sauna and steam where available
      • £1 swimming Freeman's Quay, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe and Teesdale leisure centres
      • discounted group exercise classes at Freeman's Quay, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe, Shildon-Sunnydale and Teesdale leisure centres

      Group 4 leisure membership

      Unlimited gym use during opening times, swimming - where available - during general swimming times and group exercise classes at the following leisure centres: 

      • Consett
      • The Louisa Centre (Stanley)

      Membership typeMonthly payment
      Standard 12 month Direct Debit contract£32.50
      Standard non contract (pay monthly)£42.50 plus £20 joining fee (current offer £32.50 - save £10 per month plus no joining fee)
      Annual paid in full membership£390
      Concession 12 month Direct Debit contract£21.50
      Concession annual paid in full£258
      Corporate 12 month Direct Debit contract£27

      Membership includes:

      • free 1 to 1 personal programme
      • free sauna and steam where available
      • £1 swimming at Chester-le-Street, Freeman's Quay, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe and Teesdale leisure centres and Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex. 
      • discounted group exercise classes at Freeman's Quay, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe, Shildon- Sunnydale and Teesdale leisure centres

      Group 5 leisure membership

      Unlimited gym use during opening times, and group exercise classes at the following leisure centre:

      • Wolsingham

      Membership typeMonthly payment
      Standard 12 month Direct Debit contract£30
      Standard non contract (pay monthly)

      £40 plus £20 joining fee (current offer £30 - save £10 per month plus no joining fee)

      Annual paid in full membership£360
      Concession annual paid in full£264

      Membership includes:

      • exercise classes

      Group 6 leisure membership

      Unlimited gym use during opening times, swimming - where available - during general swimming times and group exercise classes at the following leisure centres: 

      • Peterlee
      • Seaham
      Type of ContractMonthly Payment
      Standard non contract (pay monthly) Peterlee£24.99
      Standard non contract (pay monthly) Seaham£19.99
      Standard annual paid in full Peterlee£300
      Standard annual paid in full Seaham£240
      Junior Membership (11-15 years)£15.00

      Membership includes: 

      • Free 1:1 personal programme
      • £1 swimming at any of our other leisure centres
      • Discounted group exercise classes at our other leisure centres

      Contract types

      When you've chosen your gym membership, there are two different contract types, and you may pay less because you come under a concession.

      12 month contract

      If you commit to a 12 month gym contract, you sign up to the membership for 12 months, with your membership payment taken out of your account each month for a year. Download the Icon for pdf Gym standard contract direct debit payment - terms and conditions (PDF, 66.4kb) .

      No contract (pay monthly)

      If you do not want to commit to a 12 month gym membership, you can now take advantage of our no-contract membership. Download the Icon for pdf Non contract membership - direct debit payment terms (PDF, 55.8kb) .

      This offers you the flexibility to use the gym facilities for as long or as little as you want. You can take out a non-contract membership from as little as one to 12 months with a cancellation period of 30 days' notice.

      Terms and conditions

      Full details of our terms and conditions can be found on our Leisure memberships - terms and conditions page. To cancel your membership, please contact your leisure centre.

      Membership queries

      If you have any queries about your membership please ask at your local leisure centre.