It's good to be physically active. It keeps you fit and healthy. It's good to be socially active too. It keeps the mind sharp and spirits high. With 12 swimming pools, weekly classes designed to prevent strain on joints, walking activities, and a cafe with that offers a range of drinks and sweet treats, there's something for everyone at GO Gateshead's leisure centres'.

Regular visits to your local GO Gateshead leisure centre offers many benefits. As well as seeing more of our smiling faces as you walk through the door, being active will:

• help you lose weight
• improve overall fitness
• strengthen and tone muscles
• reduce stress and tension
• lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers
• reduce risk of injury
• introduce you to new people

Take a look at some of the activities on offer:

Swimming

Swimming is great for controlling weight, reducing stress and improving sleep. It helps to lower blood pressure and reduces strain on joints. With public swims, lane swimming, and dedicated time for male-only, female-only and adult-only swimming, our pools are friendly place for a casual few lengths. If you're thinking about taking up swimming for the first time (you're never too old to learn something new!), GO Gateshead centres run regular adult-only lessons for beginners, as well as lessons for improvers and those looking to fine-tune their stroke technique.

Learn more about swimming

Aquafit

Aquafit is a fitness class that's perfect for burning fat, boosting energy and improving well-being. It's aerobics in a pool, which means all the enjoyment of aerobic activity with none of the strain or impact on joints. Our qualified instructors use aqua dumbbells, hydro discs and kickboards to help build strength, while the water helps blood flow and increases your range of motion.

Aquafit is a fun way to get active, meet new people and have a laugh with friends. You don't even need to be a swimmer to take part!

Find an Aquafit class

Fitness Classes

Every week, GO Gateshead runs a number of 'GO Light' fitness classes aimed at beginners and those who could do without the strain on back, knees, ankles and elbows. Classes include light circuit training for full-body exercise and aerobics for improved flexibility. For the benefit of body and mind, we also have Pilates and Yoga classes, both of which will leave you feeling relaxed and happier with life. You'll sleep better afterwards too!

If ever you fancy a step up to more challenging exercise, we have a huge number of weekly 'GO Moderate' classes that will be perfect for you.

Find a fitness class

Walking

Get fit walking. That's right, that thing you do every day without thinking is a great way to keep active and stay healthy. 30 minutes of walking every day will help you burn calories, tone muscles and reduce the risk of diseases like type 2 diabetes and several forms of cancer. Plus, you'll feel great for it.
The Get Walking Gateshead scheme runs weekly organised group walks around some of Gateshead most scenic parks, urban areas and heritage sites. Each leisurely walk with friends is led by a volunteer walk leader and lasts between 10 and 90 minutes.

Find out more

Walking sports

Who said you have to run around in sport? The first ten yards are in your head anyway! The fun of sport is not the pace of it, but the skill and the people you play with. Our walking sports are a brilliant way for men and women to get active without putting too much strain on joints.

Come along and play a variety of different games. They're everything you love about sport, just with the pace dial turned down.