wellness

Doncaster Council Launches Free Fitness Programs for Residents Over 60

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council rolls out no-cost exercise sessions for residents aged 60 and over at venues across the borough starting this month.

By Doncaster Wellness Desk · Published 9 July 2026

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Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council opened free fitness classes for people aged 60 and over on 1 July at two main sites, with sessions running three mornings a week.

The move forms part of the council’s Active Ageing plan adopted in March, which targets the 28 per cent of Doncaster residents over 60 recorded in the 2021 census. Local GPs in the Doncaster Central Primary Care Network have logged a 12 per cent rise in inactivity-related appointments since 2024, prompting the authority to expand outdoor and indoor options without charge.

Classes at The Dome and Hexthorpe

At The Dome Leisure Centre on Bawtry Road, instructors lead 45-minute chair-based strength and balance sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am. A separate walking group meets at 9am on Wednesdays in Hexthorpe Park, starting from the entrance on Urban Road and covering a flat 2km route around the boating lake. Both programmes accept walk-ins and require only comfortable clothing and a water bottle.

Numbers released by the council’s public health team show 142 people attended the first week of classes, with 87 per cent returning for a second session. Average age of participants sits at 71, and 62 per cent live in postcodes DN1 to DN4. No equipment fees apply and transport support through the council’s community car scheme is available for those in Balby and Wheatley Hills.

How to join

Residents can register by phone on 01302 734 000 or drop in at the customer service desk inside the Civic Office on Waterdale before 4pm on weekdays. Places remain open for the next eight-week block that ends on 26 August. Anyone unsure about suitability is advised to check with their GP at practices such as The Burns Medical Practice on Thorne Road before attending.

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