Durham residents can try council leisure facilities for free during a month-long programme designed to encourage people to become more active. The campaign includes seven-day leisure-centre passes, a free Move Plus Pass, exercise taster sessions, a new wave of Couch to 5k and several prize opportunities.
Durham County Council launched the September programme ahead of National Fitness Day, which falls on Wednesday 16 September. Activities are taking place across the county and include fitness challenges and interactive prize wheels intended to encourage local communities to stay active.
Free passes and activity sessions
Residents can use the free seven-day passes at the council’s leisure centres throughout September. The passes provide access to the sites’ pools, classes and gyms, giving people the chance to try different facilities before deciding which activities suit them.
A separate free week-long Move Plus Pass is also available. It can be used for gentle exercise classes, pool sessions and walking sports, as well as the council’s Move Hubs. Those hubs provide power-assisted exercise equipment.
Some sites will also offer free taster sessions in yoga, pilates and HIITStep. Aspiring runners can join a new wave of the Couch to 5k programme, which is under way at locations across County Durham.
How the September prizes work
On National Fitness Day itself, leisure-centre members can spin a 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. Participants can earn MOVE points through the Technogym app and qualify for membership prizes at different thresholds.
- Members who reach 2,000 MOVE points on 16 September will be entered into a draw for a free 12-month membership.
- People who accumulate 15,000, 30,000 or 50,000 MOVE points during September will be entered into separate prize draws.
The council said the campaign is intended to support residents at different fitness levels and make physical activity easier to access across the county.
“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.”
The statement was made by Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street. More information about the campaign is available through Thrive Leisure’s National Fitness Day 2026 information.