Gyms in the Lake District
The Lake District might be the UK’s home of outdoor adventure, but exercising indoors is still a very popular pastime. We have over 40 gyms here in Cumbia, mostly located in the towns that are dotted around the county. Some are housed in large leisure centres with climbing walls and other features, others are part of sumptuous health clubs where you can combine your exercise routine with a massage or beauty treatment. There are also a number of standalone centres, often led by dedicated and enthusiastic individuals with a passion for fitness.
Most of the gyms we list here are open to members of the public on a one-off basis, but the cost of this type of access does vary in price. Generally, you can expect to pay between £4 and £8 per visit for standalone gyms, whilst those in health clubs will charge between £10 and £20 with the higher price reflecting your access to other facilities, such as a pool or thermal spa suite. If you prefer fitness classes, many of the gyms here offer a range of classes that cover everything from Ab Attack to Zumba and all in between.
Westmorland Crossfit
Westmorland Crossfit in Kendal follows the Crossfit philosophy of combining elements from various sports and fitness regimens to create a workout that covers every aspect of your health and fitness. There is a small selection of cardiovascular training equipment, with much of the focus being on strength and functional training. You can attend this gym from just £5 per session.
Vibralife Carlisle
Vibralife in Carlisle takes a different approach to health and fitness. This alternative gym uses vibration technology to help users achieve their weight loss and fitness goals. Vibrogyms sit alongside spa capsules in this centre that is devoid of most of the traditional style gym equipment. If you are visiting the area, you can get a free trial that includes a capsule massage.
The Health Club at Low Wood Bay
The Health Club At Low Wood Bay is an exclusive health and fitness centre on the shore of Lake Windermere. The gym features state of the art equipment from Star Trac that benefit from HD screens and virtual trainers. The gym is part of a larger facility that includes a pool, steam room, sauna, fitness studio with classes, squash court, and more.
Sports Trek Gym at Embleton Spa Hotel
Sports Trek Gym forms part of the facilities of the Embleton Spa Hotel near Cockermouth, but is managed by a separate company, with memberships available for the public. This is a small gym, but it has a good range of cardiovascular and resistance / strength training equipment. There is also a pool and a steam room, with a restaurant / bar in the hotel.
Snap Fitness Carlisle
If you want to work out late at night or in the early hours, Snap Fitness in Carlisle gives you the opportunity to do just that. Access is available for members 24 hours a day at this no frills gym that is part of a large chain. This is a very large gym, packed with cardiovascular and weight training equipment.
Sanctuary Health and Fitness Club – Riverside Hotel
Ideally located in the heart of Kendal, the Sanctuary Health and Fitness Club has day passes available for just £8, perfect if you are staying in Kendal and wanting to maintain your fitness regime. Here you will find a good selection of cardiovascular and resistance training machines, as well as a pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub. Fitness classes are also available.
Pulse Health and Fitness – Castle Green Hotel
Pulse Health and Fitness is located within the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, and is open to members and hotel residents only. The gym is split between two spacious rooms, with a good range of cardiovascular and resistance training equipment. The club also has a pool, steam room, and there is a spa offering a range of treatments.
Powerhouse & Phoenix Gym
Powerhouse and Phoenix Gym in Whitehaven is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, so you can workout at a time that suits you. Day passes cost just £4, and there is a separate suite just for women. Both the main gym and the women only gym have the full range of cardiovascular and resistance training equipment.
Phoenix Fitness Kendal
Phoenix Fitness is a family run gym in the centre of Kendal. It is open to members, with day passes available for those who attend with an existing member. This a medium sized gym with around 50 stations of equipment including various cardiovascular and resistance machines, plus a free weights area. There are also a number of fitness classes taking place each week.
North Lakes Hotel Spa & Fitness
The North Lakes Hotel has a gym that is open to members, hotel residents, and day pass holders. There are cardiovascular machines from LifeFitness and resistance machines from Cybex, and there is a free weights area. Personal Training is available through an independent company, and there is a packed fitness timetable, as well as a pool, sauna, steam room, and spa treatment rooms.
Lifestyle Fitness Carlisle
Lifestyle Fitness in Carlisle is one branch of a national fitness chain that has over 50 branches across the UK. This is a large gym packed with quality equipment for both cardiovascular and strength training. There are a number of fitness classes each day, and the centre also benefits from a sauna, café, and free Wifi. Day passes are available.
Lifestyle Fitness & Shapers
Lifestyle Fitness & Shapers has been a feature of the Cockermouth high street for over 20 years. This medium sized gym has a good range of cardiovascular and strength training equipment, and has a dedicated separate training room for women. There is a sauna and upright tanning station here, with single session use starting at just £3.
Ironwerx Gym
If you want to train alongside a championship bodybuilder then you might find Ironwerx Gym in Barrow-In-Furness particularly appealing. This gym, equipped with an excellent range of strength training equipment as well as cardiovascular machines, is operated by former Over 50 Mr Britain Keith Devlin, who offers personal training sessions for just £10. Daily and weekly passes are available.
Intrim Fitness Centre
Intrim Fitness is located in the centre of Workington, close to the town’s many shops, restaurants and bars. The gym is open to members only, but does regularly offer heavily discounted passes for short time periods. You will find a good range of cardiovascular and resistance training equipment here, as well as separate male and female saunas and tanning stations.
G&S Fitness
G&S Fitness in Wigton is ideal for those looking for a place to work out on a one-off basis for a low price, with sessions costing just £5 for non-members. The gym has a good selection of cardiovascular and resistance machines supplied by Precor, as well as free weights. There is a packed fitness class timetable, and a team of qualified professional instructors.
Fit4Life Cumbria
Fit4Life is a small gym, with limited hours for members of the public, but with prices starting at £4.00 for a one-off session, it certainly offers value for money. The gym is a social enterprise that aims to improve fitness levels for those with chronic health conditions, and is equipped with cardiovascular machines, as well as free weights and strength training equipment.
Elite Fitness Penrith
Elite Fitness is a medium sized gym on the outskirts of Penrith. The gym aims to offer a friendly and welcoming approach to fitness. It has everything you need to complete your workout, including cardio and resistance machines, free weights, three fitness studios, a boxing ring, and personal training services. Relax after in the spa, which includes a hot tub, sauna, and steam room.
DW Fitness Carlisle
As part of a national chain of fitness clubs and sports retail shops, DW Fitness Carlisle offers a full range of fitness equipment. This large gym is equipped with cardiovascular machines, conditioning and strength training equipment and more. There are fitness classes taking place all day, every day, and you will also find a pool, spa facilities, and a café.
Cascades Health Spa and Fitness Club
Cascades Health Spa & Fitness Club in the southern Lake District, close to Newby Bridge, certainly has the wow factor. With a small, but well equipped gym, there is everything you need here to work out. In addition, you’ll find a pool, steam room, sauna, hot tub, spa treatment rooms, and a café. Day passes are available for just £10.
University of Cumbria – Carlisle Sports Centre
The Carlisle Sports Centre is part of the University of Cumbria’s Sports department, but is open to members of the public, either through membership or on a pay as you go basis. This is small gym, with just 20 stations of equipment, and this is reflected in the low usage fees. There is also a large sports hall available to hire.
Bannatyne Health Club & Spa Carlisle
Having undergone a complete refurbishment at the start of 2017, the gym at Bannatyne Health Club & Spa in Carlisle is now packed with state of the art Technogym equipment designed with elite athletes in mind. Day passes are available, and give access to the both the gym and the spa with its pool, sauna, and steam rooms, as well as a café.
Ambleside Salutation Health Club and Spa
The gym at the Ambleside Salutation Health Club and Spa is small, but has state of the art equipment that will give you an excellent workout. Cardiovascular and resistance training equipment is supplied by Technogym, and there are some free weights. The health club is home to a pool and a spa suite, and personal training and spa treatments are available.
Workington Leisure Centre
With everything you need to workout and tone up, Workington Leisure Centre is rapidly becoming West Cumbria’s premier gym facility. Newly opened in 2016 the gym has nearly 100 stations of equipment, with interactive cardiovascular machines and weight training stations. A full range of fitness classes are held in two dedicated studios and non-members are welcome.
Whitehaven Sports Centre
Whitehaven Sports Centre is centrally located, and the gym here has been recently refurbished. Located above the sports hall, you can watch a game of football or a badminton match whilst you workout. Over in the fitness studios you can try aerobics, spinning, circuits and more, and if you have children you can check them into the creche led by qualified practitioners.
Ulverston Leisure Centre
The gym at Ulverston Leisure Centre was completely renovated in 2014, resulting in an increase in size and the arrival of a range of high quality fitness equipment. Cardiovascular and resistance machines are held in a modern, well-lit space, alongside free weights. The gym is host to some fitness classes, with additional classes offered in alternative venues in Ulverston.
Trinity Leisure Centre
There is a small gym at Trinity Leisure Centre in Carlisle. As with the rest of the centre, it is only open to the public in term time during the evenings and weekends. Although the gym is small in comparison to other facilities in the area, you will find the full range of workout equipment here, available at low sessions and membership costs.
The Sands Leisure Centre
The gym at the Sands Centre benefited from a complete refurbishment in 2011. You will find 100 stations of equipment here, with everything you need to burn calories and tone your muscles. The state of the art equipment includes smart device connectivity, whilst in the fitness studio you will find a plethora of classes, all available to attend on a one off basis.
The Pools Swimming and Health Centre
It might not be the largest gym in Cumbria, or the best equipped, but the gym at The Pools Swimming and Health Centre has everything you need to either maintain or reach your ideal fitness level. Whether you want to burn off calories, or tone up muscles, you are well catered for here, and there is a low-cost membership package that includes swimming.
The Park Leisure Centre
The gym at The Park Leisure Centre in Barrow-In-Furness is only open to members, but memberships are available on a short-term basis. You will find the full range of gym equipment here, including state of the art smart machines that track your progress. Fitness classes are also available and open to everyone, with something to suit everyone’s tastes and abilities.
Penrith Leisure Centre
The large gym at Penrith Leisure Centre is split into five distinct zones, where you can work on specific areas, including cardiovascular and resistance training. You will find state of the art equipment here, as well as a team of personal trainers. The adjacent studio offers a plethora of fitness classes, with something to suit all abilities and fitness levels.
Morton Leisure Centre
Morton Leisure Centre benefited from a refurbishment in 2007 that saw the addition of a 50 station gym. Open to the public with no membership required, the gym features a great selection of cardiovascular and resistance machines, as well as free weights and other equipment. Fitness classes are also held here, including yoga and Zumba.
Millom Recreational Centre
Millom Recreational Centre has a small gym that is home to a number of Life Fitness cardiovascular machines, as well as a range of strength and weight training equipment. You do not need to be a member to visit and sessions cost as a little £2.50. Fitness classes are available each day and including spinning, dance aerobics, and interval training.
Keswick Leisure Pool and Fitness Centre
Keswick Leisure Pool and Fitness Centre has a small gym that houses a good range of fitness equipment. There are both cardiovascular and resistance machines, as well as a free weights area. In recognition of the fact that Keswick is a popular tourist destination, weekly passes are available, giving visitors the opportunity to continue with their fitness regime.
Kendal Leisure Centre
Fully refurbished with brand new equipment in 2014, the gym at Kendal Leisure Centre has the full range of fitness and weight training equipment to ensure you can meet your goals. A team of personal trainers is available, whilst the three studios offer a plethora of classes, including spinning, yoga, circuits, and tai chi. Non members welcome.
Dalton Leisure Centre
Dalton Leisure Centre has two state of the art gymnasiums. There is a cardiovascular gym with a range of machines that will test your fitness to the limit. You can then work on your tone and muscles in the resistance gym, where you will find a mixture of free weights and machines. Fitness classes are also available, including the increasingly popular Clubbercise.
Cockermouth Leisure Centre
There is a good sized well-equipped gym at Cockermouth Leisure Centre, that was fully refurbished in 2014. It consists of two separate rooms, and there is an excellent choice of cardiovascular and resistance machines, as well as free weights. There are two fitness studios with classes that can be attended on a one off basis, including spinning, aerobics, and yoga.
ActivZone Gym and Sports Facility
ActivZone’s gym is open to members, as well staff and students of the Lakes College only, with membership rates starting at £18 per month. It is small, but has a good range of cardiovascular, weightlifting and resistance equipment, as well as a free weights area. Classes are open to all, and include spinning, kettleballs, and circuits, all costing just £3.50 per session.
Appleby Leisure Centre
In 2012 Appleby Leisure Centre received a large grant that was used to completely refurbish the gym facilities. It now boasts top of the range gym equipment, including two Trixter Bikes with interactive screens. The gym offers fitness classes both at the leisure centre and at a nearby community centre, with the option to sign up to one class.
Copeland Pool and Fitness Centre
The gym at Copeland Pool and Fitness Centre was added in 2014 with a fresh, modern look and is equipped with top of the range cardiovascular and resistance machines. Personal training is available here, as is a range of fitness classes that can be signed up to on a one-off basis. These include aerobics, circuits, and spinning.
Cumbria Strength & Conditioning
If you want the latest state of the art machines with HD touch screen technology, then this gym is not for you. However, if you want to improve your strength, rehabilitate, or even recover from childbirth, all under the close supervision and instruction of a former Royal Marine Commando, then Cumbria Strength and Conditioning in Dalton-In-Furness has what you need.
Choices Health Club
Choices Health Club in Windermere is one of the largest gyms in the area and features state of the art equipment. Cardiovascular machines include personal TV screens, whilst the dedicated strength training area has everything you need to tone your muscles. The club is also home to a pool, steam room, sauna, hot tub, and dedicated fitness studio with thirty classes a week.
