Young Mancunians aged 11 to 16 years old could soon receive free access to gym and fitness services in Manchester. The move features in Manchester City Council’s budget for the 2026/27 financial year, which is set to be approved later this week (February 27).
The Council plans to offer free gym and fitness classes across 10 leisure centres in the region, to promote regular exercise among those in secondary school. According to the Council, the scheme is designed to support emotional resilience and reduce stress among young people, leading to better mental health and wellbeing.
According to Manchester City Council’s budget report, it says the Public Health Department will develop and procure a Young People’s Wellbeing Service through 2026/7. The report says the Young People’s Wellbeing Service “will focus particularly on place-based support for groups of young people who are more at risk of health inequalities”.
Which Manchester gyms will offer free access for young people?
The initiative covers all 10 gyms in council-owned leisure centres, which are run by Better, a not-for-profit leisure provider.
- Abraham Moss Library and Leisure Centre
- Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre Gym
- Belle Vue Sports Village Gym
- East Manchester Leisure Centre Gym
- Hough End Leisure Centre Gym
- Manchester Aquatics Centre Gym
- Moss Side Leisure Centre Gym
- North City Family and Fitness Centre Gym
- Sugden Sports Centre Gym
- Whalley Range Sports Centre Gym
When will the initiative go live?
The local authority has confirmed that a go-live date for the initiative has not yet been decided. It is anticipated that the new service will be operational at the start of the 2027/28 financial year, and in order to support this, an allocation of £50,000 costs for contract mobilisation in the second half of 2026/27.
Other key highlights of 2026/27 budget
Additional leisure measures in the budget include reopening eight major libraries on Sundays from September and bringing fireworks back to Heaton Park. However, council tax in Manchester will rise by the maximum-allowed 4.99%.