Birmingham Council's Group Exercise Classes Draw Hundreds Weekly

Birmingham City Council facilities added 12 new group exercise slots this month across three sites, with timetables posted on 7 July covering yoga, circuit training and dance-based classes through August.

Summer schedules matter because many residents seek low-cost indoor options when outdoor paths grow crowded and school holidays free up daytime hours for adults. Council data shows participation in group fitness rose 18 percent from the same period last year, driven by residents priced out of private gyms.

Venues with current programmes

At the Moseley Road Baths on Moseley Road, instructors lead 45-minute HIIT sessions on Mondays and Thursdays at 6:30 pm, while the Erdington Leisure Centre on Sutton New Road runs chair-based exercise on Wednesdays at 10 am aimed at older adults. Both sites operate under the same booking system and accept drop-ins when space allows.

Residents can also reach the Billesley Leisure Centre off Yardley Wood Road for Zumba classes held three evenings a week. The centre sits near the A4040 and draws participants from Kings Heath and Hall Green neighbourhoods who previously travelled farther for similar sessions.

Prices and access details

Standard adult fees start at £5.25 per class, with concessions at £3.75 for those holding a council leisure card. Last month 1,850 people booked places through the online portal or at reception desks, according to the council’s June usage report. Sessions run in 45- or 60-minute blocks and require no prior booking for most weekday slots after 5 pm.

Anyone interested should check availability on the Birmingham City Council leisure website or call the venue directly before heading out. Cards can be obtained at any participating site with proof of address and cost £10 for the year.