Abbey Leisure Centre in Barking and Becontree Heath Leisure Centre in Dagenham have both been improved in order to enhance the borough’s fitness infrastructure.
Abbey’s gym received a complete redesign with all new equipment.
Councillor Saima Ashraf, deputy leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, joined key staff from operator Everyone Active to officially open the new gym facilities at a formal ceremony.
The centre has introduced new equipment from industry leaders Life Fitness and Hammer Strength, expanded cardio options, strength training equipment, a new relaxation zone, and a grab and go food service.
Councillor Ashraf said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to see the doors reopen to these centres with state-of-the-art facilities for residents to enjoy.
“The completed works have come at the perfect time with many of us getting our new year’s resolutions into action.
“So, if improving your health and fitness, or simply finding a new hobby is one of them, I encourage you to plan a visit.”
Meanwhile, the upgrades at Becontree Heath Leisure Centre focused primarily on strength training facilities, introducing Olympic lifting platforms and new Life Fitness equipment.
Hasan Romel, area contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome our community back and invite everyone to come down and see the transformation for themselves at our centres.
“We’re seeing a clear shift toward hybrid training approaches, where people want both comprehensive strength training facilities and advanced cardio options.
“These upgrades deliver exactly that, ensuring our centres remain aligned with contemporary fitness trends while providing the high-quality facilities our residents deserve.
“From Olympic lifting platforms to state-of-the-art cardio equipment, we’re now equipped to support every type of fitness journey.”
