Leisure & Culture Dundee’s Leisureactive team is offering all 12 to 17-year-olds in Dundee the chance to work out for free during the six weeks of the school holidays with their 'Teen Summer Fitness Pass'. From 30 June until 15 August, teens will have access to free gym sessions, swimming, and a range of other activities.
The initiative will support all families and young people experiencing cost of living increases and also help reduce physical inactivity and support better mental wellbeing during the school holidays when physical activity traditionally decreases.
The offer comes as the recently published Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Scotland 2022 National Report on adolescent health and wellbeing showed that less than a quarter (23%) of adolescents achieved 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day. The report also showed that 38% of young people reported a negative impact on their mental health and 29% on physical activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Judy Dobbie, Director of Leisure & Culture Dundee, said
"We know that young people have been disproportionately affected by the lasting impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Cost of Living crisis and we also know how important regular exercise can be for mental and physical wellbeing.”
“The recent HSBC report shows how young people's mental health and physical activity has suffered, and through this offer we have some measures to help address these difficulties and a way to positively influence young people.”
“The holidays can be a costly time of year for families, and we also want to support them and their teens in Dundee throughout this period and set up good habits that can help them well beyond the summer."
Gym access is available to those aged 14 and 15 after attending a youth induction and to those aged 12 and 13 after attending a juvenile induction and when accompanied by an adult. 16 and 17 year olds do not need to complete an induction or any of the additional steps.
The pass can be used in all seven of Leisure & Culture Dundee’s sport and leisure centres including Dundee International Sports Centre (DISC), Douglas Sports Centre, Lochee Swimming and Leisure Centre, Menzieshill Community Hub, Grove Swim & Sports Centre, St Paul’s Swim & Sports Centre depending on the activities available at each.
The Teen Summer Fitness Pass includes:
- Gym, Gym Inductions & Small Group Training
- Family Fun & Lane Swimming Sessions
- Teen Pool Parties
- Racket Sports, including Pickleball, Badminton & Table Tennis
- SportFit & Basketball
- Group Exercise Classes, including Virtual Spin
Anyone interested can find out more here.