Stockport’s Life Leisure has opened up more exercise classes, swim lessons and gym slots in line with lifting of government COVID restrictions and has launched a new app to make booking sessions easier.
While online booking for all activities was originally introduced out of necessity due to COVID, a poll conducted by Life Leisure revealed the majority of centre visitors are in favour of keeping the system – a fact which has prompted Life Leisure to incorporate booking functionality into its new app.
Michaela Pennington, CEO of Life Leisure, explained:
We’d anticipated that the online booking system would be a temporary measure – one members were happy to use while they had to. But it’s really been a hit! We know some members will still prefer to simply turn up in person to check availability and book on – which is now possible again at all our gyms. But for those enjoying the online system, the functionality developed in our new app will help make their experience even better.”
The app shows all available gym, swim and class sessions at all Life Leisure centres and allows users to simply ‘touch to book’ time slots. As more classes are added back to the timetable, as is planned, these will show up immediately on the app. This can be downloaded via the App or Play Store.
As part of a ‘re-opening roadmap’, the leisure provider is now enabling members to book an unlimited number of gym slots or fitness classes at any of its 11 fitness centres across the town, either in person or via the mobile app.
Maximum participant capacities for these and swimming sessions will also increase in line with safety guidelines. Pandemic restrictions previously meant fitness fans could only attend a set number. All indoor adult sport activity has also resumed.
Other significant changes as part of the re-opening roadmap include more swimming sessions – including inflatable sessions and slots for family and kids – and an upturn in classes, including a return to hands-on-teaching in the water, something that has not been possible since the pandemic began.