Five ways Sidmouth Leisure Centre can help you get fit, no matter your age or ability

LED Sidmouth Leisure has something for everyone across its sites in the town, from the leisure centre next to Sidmouth College to the swimming pool next to the Ham.

Now, in a new partnership with Sidmouth Nub News, it's investing in the community and helping people regardless of their age or ability to improve their mental and physical health.

We're going to be bringing you regular updates and news about Sidmouth Leisure, including upcoming events in our What's On section.

1. Take a dip in the 25m pool – inclusive of the disabled

Sidmouth Swimming Pool is ready for everyone, young and old, to use – it even has a special battery-powered 'Pool Pod' lift for the disabled to access the water.

The pool is warm enough for kids at 30 degrees, and the changing rooms have underfloor heating. Swimming lessons are available for children from the age of three, and also for older kids who want to start racing competitively.

Sidmouth Leisure Manager Steve Reid said: "At the moment, we've got nearly 500 children on our swim school, which runs every afternoon Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings."

In addition to public and lane swimming and lessons for all abilities, there are a number of pool-based low-impact exercise classes such as Aquacise, Aquacise 50+, Aqua Flex and Aqua Zumba. These classes don't require you to swim - an added bonus for beginners and the elderly.

At 25 metres and with five lanes, the pool is also ideal for seasoned pros, and the Sidmouth Lifesaving Club, the Sid Vale Sharks Swimming Club, and the N1 Triathlon Club regularly train there.

The 'Pool Pod' lift is a helpful addition for disabled people. A battery-powered lift, the Pool Pod is discreet and enables people with access issues to get in and out of the pool.

Steve added: "You can have two people stood on it, and it will gently lower them into the water.

"For customers with disabilities who might need a wheelchair, we can transfer them into a water-based wheelchair that sits on the platform as well."

2. Bodypump and spin classes

There are more than 30 group exercise classes to choose from at Sidmouth Leisure Centre.

For an intense cardio workout, you can try the Bodypump and spin studio cycling groups. The classes are small with maximums of 12-16 people, and feature qualified instructors who will take you through how it all works.

You can also build your flexibility and strength with the holistic Body Balance, incorporating yoga, Tai Chi, and pilates moves, and Pure Stretch classes.

3. Community team sports

Sidmouth Leisure Centre hosts a wide variety of local clubs, with sports ranging from hockey, five-a-side football, cricket, and more.

Leisure Manager Steve said: "Our all-weather Astro pitch is used by the Sidmouth and Ottery Hockey Club for their league games and coaching at weekends.

"The indoor cricket league started last week, and currently has eight local teams participating. We'll also be hosting a five-a-side league in the near future."

4. Racquet sports

The leisure centre has as many as four badminton courts in the sports hall, and two squash courts.

They're used by the racquetball club, a squash team, and two badminton groups, making them perfect for both serious athletes playing league matches, and also for social groups who want to enjoy spending time playing on proper courts with excellent facilities.

5. The gym

The gym is fully fitted out with a range of cardio machines and weight training and resistance equipment.

From treadmills, rowing machines, and bikes, to weights and soon a new squat rack, there's something for all users at the gym in Sidmouth Leisure Centre.

Not only this, you can also have 1:1 or group sessions with a personal trainer to help you achieve your fitness goals.

Memberships that are tailored to you

Right from the start, LED Sidmouth Leisure's memberships will be tailored and focused on your personal journey and aspirations.

Sidmouth Leisure Manager Steve Reid said: "Our starting point is to try and gauge what the customer would be looking to do.

"If someone just wants to improve their swimming ability, they can take out a membership, and then we can provide adult improvement lessons, which will help them with their strokes and improve their swimming ability.

"Or they could look at doing a half-marathon or marathon, and we can guide them into the gym and our instructors will provide them with programmes, track their progress, and regularly meet with them to see how they're going and review that improvement that they've made."

Sidmouth Leisure Centre offers a variety of memberships to cater to individual needs, starting from just £34.75.

Click here to go to the LED Memberships webpage to find out more.