More students than ever are prioritising fitness for their physical health and mental well-being. Moving to university shouldn’t mean giving up on regular exercise, but where can Leeds students work out?
The annual Leeds Varsity competition shows how Leeds universities promote sport and fitness. Each university has a gym and sports facilities, offering students convenient ways to stay active. However, if you prefer the look of another facility, you can join as a community member instead.
Let’s explore what’s available at each university and your membership options.
University of Leeds
As the city’s largest educational institution, the University of Leeds offers fitness facilities to match. The Edge and The Brownlee Centre are standout examples. The Brownlee Centre is named after alumni triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee.
The Edge
Located a 10-minute walk from the city centre, The Edge sits on the main campus, likely near your student accommodation. This large fitness centre has cutting-edge facilities. It features an eight-lane, 25m pool. The pool includes Swiss timing systems, a movable floor, and UV cleaning that uses half the usual amount of chemicals. You’ll also find a sauna and a steam room.
The gym floor has 250 top-notch, web-connected Technogym stations. This includes the latest cardio and resistance machines, 18 squat racks, and power plates. The MyWellness app lets you track your fitness progress on the go, and wireless phone charging is free.
The Edge also houses a climbing wall, sports halls for racquet and ball games, and studios with over 130 fitness classes weekly.
Leeds Arts University students can access The Edge on a student membership alongside University of Leeds students.
Membership options
The Edge offers three student membership options:
- Sport Pass (£80 annually): Grants unlimited access to the climbing wall, racquet courts, and sports halls.
- Edge Club membership (£190 a year or £25 a month): Enjoy off-peak access to the gym and pool. You also get unlimited use of the climbing wall, sports halls, and fitness classes. Plus a personal trainer induction.
- Edge Premium membership (£290 annually or £37.50 per month): Includes everything the Edge Club membership does. You also get anytime access to the gym and pool, InBody fitness analysis, entry to other university gyms, and various discounts.
Other facilities
Beyond The Edge, the University of Leeds boasts excellent sports facilities around the city.
The Gryphon Sports Centre has a top-grade performance floor for netball and volleyball on the main campus.
In Adel, Bodington Playing Fields is home to a football hub and The Brownlee Centre. This is the UK’s first purpose-built triathlon training centre. Rowing fans can check out the Leeds University Boat Club and Leeds Rowing Club at Stourton Boathouse, which provides direct access to the canal.
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Beckett University boasts a vibrant sports culture. It offers excellent facilities for its 38 sports clubs, 80 teams, and students looking to stay active.
City Campus gym
The City Campus gym features first-rate Matrix Fitness equipment, like cardio and resistance machines, dumbbells, barbells, and squat racks. Bikes and treadmills come with built-in Netflix, YouTube, and Freeview, so you can catch up on your favourite shows while you work out. Various exercise classes are also available.
Membership
Active Beckett City membership (£11.99 per month): Grants access to the City Campus gym and fitness classes.
Headingley Campus gym
As the university’s primary sports hub, the Headingley Campus gym offers a broader range of fitness equipment than City Campus. Free weights are up to 30 kg, and there are resistance machines, including SkiErg and TRX cables. Boditrax technology analyses body composition, measuring BMI, muscle mass, fat percentage, and metabolic age.
Other facilities
Headingley Campus has more than a gym. It features a 21-metre, four-lane swimming pool, indoor sports halls, and courts. You can also find outdoor facilities like an athletics track and a sports treatment centre.
Membership options
There are two membership options:
- Active Beckett membership (£84 annually): Gives students access to all facilities at City and Headingley campuses. These include the gym, pool, athletics track, hydrobed, fitness classes, strength and conditioning facilities, and the Social Sport programme. Members also get discounted rates on pitch and court bookings.
- Athletic Union membership (prices vary): This is for students who want to join university sports teams. It includes all Active Beckett benefits and access to club training activities. Pricing depends on the sport. Tier One costs £213 (triathlon, cricket, athletics) or £162 (all other Tier One sports), and Tier Two costs £144.
Leeds Trinity University
Leeds Trinity may be the smallest of the city’s universities, but it still offers impressive gym and sports facilities.
Trinity Fitness
Trinity Fitness sits on the main campus in Horsforth. It spans two floors and features the latest Technogym cardio and resistance equipment. Students can also book courts for badminton, table tennis, netball, and tennis.
Membership options
Students can choose from three membership tiers:
- Silver (£85 annually): Off-peak access to the gym, all fitness classes, and court hire.
- Bronze (£15 per month): Access to the gym anytime, plus free racquet sport hire.
- Gold (£120 annually): All the benefits of Bronze at a discounted annual rate.
