Keeping Active

There are seven NL Active centres across North Lincolnshire,  all offering a range of activities for people of all ages and fitness levels.

• NL Active – Ancholme
• NL Active – Axholme North
• NL Active – Baysgarth
• NL Active – Epworth
• NL Active – Riddings
• NL Active – The Pods
• NL Active – Winterton

Brigg Recreation Ground provides top class, fully accessible facilities for the community and local sports clubs.

Wrawby Road, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8DT

Visit the Brigg Recreation Ground page

Adjoining Normanby Hall Country Park, Normanby Hall Golf Course is set in 117 stunning acres of mature woodland and parkland. The beautiful 18 hole, par 72 course is considered one of the best municipal courses in the country, providing challenging play for members, green fee players and societies alike.

Visit the Normanby Hall Golf Course page

Scunthorpe Indoor Bowls Centre is an indoor bowls facility for competitive or friendly matches for bowlers of all ages.

Carlton St, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire DN15 6TA

Visit the Indoor Bowls Centre page

Quibell Park is North Lincolnshire’s outdoor athletics track and velodrome.

Brumby Wood Lane, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire DN17 1SR

Visit the Quibell Park page

Information will be available here shortly

Find information on how NL Active centres and sports facilities have opened following Covid-19 along with some frequently asked questions.

Visit the Covid-19 FAQ page

Our fully equipped, air-conditioned gyms offer a range of equipment for everyone. You can choose from cardiovascular machines such as rowing machines, bikes, treadmills and X-trainers, resistance equipment including free weights or try our dedicated stretch and functional fitness areas with stability balls, kettlebells, medicine balls and more.

Visit the NL Active Gym page for more information. 

We operate five swimming pools across North Lincolnshire and offer a wide range of swimming sessions.

• NL Active at Ancholme – five lane, 25 metre pool with separate teaching pool.
• NL Active at Axholme North – four lane, 25 metre pool opened 3 January 2019.
• NL Active at Baysgarth – four lane, 20 metre pool.
• NL Active at Riddings – six lane, 25 metre pool.
• NL Active at The Pods – eight lane, 25 metre pool with separate teaching pool.

Swimming is great fun at any age. Whether you want to learn to swim, improve your technique, get fit or just have fun, we’re sure you’ll find a session you enjoy.

Visit the NL Active swimming page for more information and pool timetables. 

Read further information on our SwimLincs learn to swim programme.

Playing racket sports not only keeps you active, it’s also good fun and a great way to socialise.

We have a number of racket sport options across NL Active facilities:

• NL Active at Ancholme – Squash, tennis, badminton, table tennis
• NL Active at Axholme North – Tennis, badminton, table tennis
• NL Active at Baysgarth – Badminton, table tennis
• NL Active at Riddings – Table tennis
• NL Active at The Pods – Badminton, table tennis

With over 150 fitness classes across our five centres, we aim to cater for all fitness levels and ages. We offer a wide range of different classes from high energy to relaxation and well being, both online and in our centres.

NL Active delivers live lessons in centres, a live streamed programme that you can access from home, and NL Active – Ancholme and NL Active – The Pods have virtual studios. The virtual studios are much more than a fitness class, they’re an immersive sensory experience with classes delivered by Les Mills superstar instructors.

Visit the NL Active group fitness page for more information.

Book an appointment at an NL Active centre for a personalised exercise plan. A fitness assistant will discuss your fitness aims and work with you to devise a plan that will help you achieve them.

Cycling can make you feel good about life – whether you want to improve your fitness, explore the locality, or have a little fun with your family, cycling is the ideal activity.

Read more information on cycling across North Lincolnshire

Jogging or running is a free and easily accessible form of physical activity. Jogging or running regularly is a great way of improving your overall physical health. It can improve heart and lung health, increase joint strength and stability, reduce your risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Running is also thought to improve mental wellbeing and can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress, and simply improve your mood.

Running groups in North Lincolnshire

Scunthorpe & District Running Club hold regular running sessions every Tuesday and Thursday evening behind Brumby Hall. The group caters for all levels of ability. Speed doesn’t matter, the only criteria is that you want to run. All sessions are led by UKA accredited and CRB checked Coaches and Run Leaders.

You can find more information on the Scunthorpe & District Running club website or email them for more information secsadrc@gmail.com

Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K is a running plan for absolute beginners. It was developed by a new runner, Josh Clark, who wanted to help his 50-something mum get off the couch and start running.

The plan involves 3 runs a week, with a day of rest in between, and a different schedule for each of the 9 weeks.

Visit the NHS Couch to 5k page

Fancy a walk, jog or run in one of our local parks? Join one of the Parkruns; a five kilometre timed walk, jog or run that happen across the country at 9am every Saturday morning.

We’re really proud and grateful to the army of volunteers that organise the two Park Runs in North Lincolnshire; Central Park, Scunthorpe and Normanby Hall. Visit their Parkrun pages to register or just head to the venue one Saturday morning 9am to see what it’s all about. It really is a sight to behold – people of all ages, abilities, some with push chairs and dogs enjoying our beautiful parks whilst getting fit.

A dedicated Junior Parkrun event takes place weekly at Brumby Wood Recreation Ground on a Sunday morning. Visit the Junior Parkrun website for more information.

Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active and become healthier.

Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

You don’t have to walk for hours. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of exercise a week.

Visit the walking in North Lincolnshire page for information walking routes and the Walking the Way to Health programme.

Park Fit is a simple but effective 10 station exercise circuit which is designed for everyone to benefit from. Circuits are located at:

• Baysgarth Park, start near Baysgarth Leisure Centre (Brigg Road, Barton-upon-Humber)
• Central Park, start near The Pods (Ashby Road, Scunthorpe)

The circuit is free of charge and available to use anytime.

How does it work?

• You can choose to run, jog or walk around the circuit, looking out for the numbered Park Fit Circuit signposts
• When you get to each signpost, you can stop and complete the exercise which is displayed on the sign
• Each sign has its own QR code which you can scan with a mobile device to view the exercise demonstration video
• Each video also has modified versions of each exercise to simplify your workout if needed.

Please remember you are responsible for using Park Fit safely and as directed. You must behave sensibly, exercising within your limits, and follow any safety instructions so as not to hurt or injure yourself or others. In the absence of any negligence or other breach of duty by us, the use of Park Fit is entirely at your own risk. During the exercise if you feel you are exercising beyond your current fitness abilities or feel discomfort, dizziness or sickness you should stop exercising immediately. If you’re currently under medical supervision, please consult your doctor before using Park Fit and follow their advice.

In addition to the group fitness classes taking place in our leisure centres, we also offer a live streamed group fitness programme so you can workout at home with instructors you know.

The timetable includes a variety of workouts that are suitable for all fitness abilities.

You can find the timetable and more information on our group fitness page and the classes can be booked online under Ancholme Leisure Centre classes. These classes are currently free of charge.

Public Health England and Sport England have developed an Active at Home workbook for older people. The guide helps you build physical activity in to your day around the home.

Five ways to Wellbeing is a way of looking after our physical health and mental wellbeing.

The five ways to wellbeing are:

1. Keep learning
2. Connect
3. Give
4. Be active
5. Take notice

Find more information on the Five Ways to Wellbeing webpage.

Active Ageing and Active Lincs are programmes aimed at increasing the activity levels of older people or those who have limited mobility or underlying health conditions. Activities include seated exercises, walking sports and active circuits. Classes are delivered in NL Active facilities, hub settings and local community venues. To find out more about the offer: in facilities email referral@northlincs.gov.uk or in the community email community.recreation@northlincs.gov.uk

Active Lincs sessions form part of the NL Active group fitness offer and can be found on the facility group fitness timetables. The Active Ageing sessions are below.

North Lincolnshire Council’s Active Exercise Referral programme supports people with existing medical conditions to become more active and improve their health.

The Active Exercise Referral Programme will help improve, manage, or prevent health conditions such as diabetes, impaired mobility, COPD, asthma,
depression, hypertension, obesity, stroke recovery, and controlled coronary heart disease.

NL Active has a team of exercise referral qualified Health & Wellbeing Activators who will work with you to design a personal fitness plan to suit your medical conditions and abilities. They will provide support, advice and encouragement throughout the programme, helping you improve your health by becoming more active.

The Active Exercise Referral Programme will be personal to you and will be designed to suit your lifestyle and needs. The programme will include one-to-one consultations with your Health & Wellbeing Activator as well as access to NL Active facilities and suitable group fitness classes. The programme is divided into two phases, each 12 weeks long.

For more information email referral@northlincs.gov.uk

Public Health England (PHE) has developed an Active at Home guide. Initially developed to help older people keep active at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, the guide is a great tool to help people build physical activity into their day.

Download the booklet here – PHE Active at Home booklet.

Junior gym is a supervised session where 11-15 year olds can access the gym and get active. Sessions are 45 minutes long. The Junior Gym sessions can be found on the NL Active group fitness timetables.

Football or dance more your thing?

Try the On Target programme! FREE football and dance sessions are open to young people aged between 8 and 19 years old (or age 25 for people with a disability) on Friday evenings.

On Target sessions are led by qualified coaches from Scunthorpe United Community Sports and Education Trust and StreetBeat. Follow our latest updates on our Street Sport Facebook page.

A signed parental consent form is required prior to taking part in your first session of Street Sport or On Target.

Brumby Wood Rec Ground junior parkrun is a FREE 2km event for junior runners of all standards, which takes place every Sunday at 9:00am in Brumby Wood Recreation Ground, Brumby Wood Lane, Scunthorpe, DN17 1AA.

Vist the Brumby Wood Junior Parkrun website for more details.

Parkrun Juniors is organised and managed by a team of volunteers in association with the national Junior Parkrun programme. The 2k timed run can be whatever you want it to be, whether for fun or as part of a training plan.

It offers an opportunity for all the family to get involved and come together on a regular basis to enjoy this beautiful park. We want to encourage people to jog or run together irrespective of their ability – this event is truly open to all and best of all it really is FREE!

Taking part is easy – just register in advance before your first ever parkrun. Your individual barcode can then be used for this weekly 2k run, or on any of the weekly 5k Parkruns around the country.

The junior parkrun is a great way to get involved and introduce yourselves to a sport without any of the normal outside pressures. A great way to improve health, confidence and to enjoy a great location. It can also be part of getting fit for sport for your school or to train for a specific target such as the Mini-Marathon trials, or for a full 5k parkrun distance. In short, you are welcome to come along and have fun.

Scorers is a free multi-sport programme for young people with a disability for people aged between 8 and 25 years old.

The weekly session takes place every Tuesday 5pm to 6pm at The Pods, Ashby Road DN16 1AA.

A signed parental consent form is required prior to taking part in your first session. Call 01724 297270 for more information or email community.recreation@northlincs.gov.uk.

There are skate parks at Epworth Leisure Centre, Winterton Gym, and Ancholme Leisure Centre.

Ancholme Leisure Centre – open hours are the same as the leisure centre open hours

Winterton gym – open hours are the same as the building open hours

Epworth Leisure Centre – school holidays open hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8pm and weekends 12noon to 4pm. Term time open hours are Monday to Friday 4pm to 8pm and weekends 12noon to 4pm.

We have a programme of Street Sport sessions for young people aged 8 to 18 years old (or age 25 for people with a disability). Sessions are completely FREE to attend and are led by qualified and experienced sports coaches in parks, schools and playing fields across North Lincolnshire.

Activities at the Street Sport sessions include dodgeball, rounders, football, cricket and many more fun games to get you moving. Follow our latest updates on our Street Sport Facebook page

A signed parental consent form is required prior to taking part in your first session of Street Sport or On Target.

We’re not currently running the full SwimLincs programme due to pools not being able to run at full capacity due to Covid-19 guidance. However, we’re delivering return to swimming courses and crash courses over the summer. You can find more information on our swimming lesson page of the website.

Swimming is an important life skill and our SwimLincs learn to swim programme will ensure children become confident and safe in the water.

Our lessons run for 50 weeks a year, with each lesson lasting 30 minutes, or which at least 25 minutes will be water-based activities. The SwimLincs learn to swim programme is available at:

• Ancholme Leisure Centre
• Axholme North Leisure Centre
• Baysgarth Leisure Centre
• Riddings Pool
• The Pods

The SwimLincs programme is divided in to nine stages:

SwimLincs Minis

• Adult and baby – four months to 17 months (STA starfish awards 1 to 3)
• Adult and tots – 18 months to three years (STA starfish awards 4 to 6)
• Pre-school lessons – three to four year olds (STAnley awards 1 to 4)

SwimLincs

• Non-swimmer – four years plus (Seahorse awards 1 to 2)
• Beginner – four years plus (Seahorse awards 3 to 4)
• Improver – (Dolphin awards 1 to 2)
• Intermediate – (Dolphin awards 3 to 4)
• Advanced – (Dolphin award 5)
• Development classes – Rookie lifeguard and Challenge awards

Children are continually assessed throughout their lessons. You can view your child’s progress online using our SwimLincs Home Portal. To access this service we require your email address. To register you will need your child’s SwimLincs card number. If you don’t have a card number please contact the customer service desk at the centre where your child swims.

Enrolling on a SwimLincs learn to swim programme (accordion)

Children can be placed on the SwimLincs Minis waiting list from birth, the pre-school waiting list from the age of two and a half, and the SwimLincs after school programme from the age of four years.

To enrol your child on lessons please complete an online application form (LINK) On receiving the application form, your child’s name will be added to the waiting list and you will be contacted by the centre when a place becomes available. Places will be offered a maximum of three times before your child’s details are removed from the waiting list.

SwimLincs payment options (accordion)

We offer two payment options:

Academy member

Monthly payment via direct debit – £20 (first child)

• One SwimLincs lesson per week for 50 weeks of the year
• Automatic re-enrolment (terms and conditions apply)
• Price for life (terms and conditions apply)
• The card holder is entitled to use any of the council’s pools free during casual swim sessions
• Sibling discount available

Casual pay as you go member

•  One SwimLincs lesson per week for 10 weeks

Top-up payments for the next 10 weeks must be received before the start of the last lesson to secure your child’s place. Failure to top-up during this time will result in your child automatically losing their place in the lessons.

SwimLincs code of conduct (accordion)

Our aim is to provide the best ‘learn to swim’ experience for your child and for you as the ones bringing them to the pool. To help us achieve this aim we would be grateful if you would adhere to the following code of conduct.

Swimmers are asked to:

• Arrive in good time for the lesson
• When changed, wait quietly in the designated area no more than five minutes before the start of your lesson for the swimming teacher to collect you
• Wear suitable swimwear and tie long hair back
• Visit the toilet before the start of your lesson
• Shower before you enter the pool water
• Remove all jewellery
• Inform the swimming teacher of any illness or injuries before the start of the lesson
• Only enter the pool when told to by your swimming teacher
• Not eat or drink fizzy or sugary drinks up to one hour before the start of your lesson
• Listen to your swimming teacher and ask if you do not understand their instructions
• Always try your best and enjoy your lesson

Parents and guardians are asked to:

• Make sure your child arrives in good time for the start of their lesson and is collected promptly after the lesson
• Remain in the building at all times if your child is under the age of eight
• Not to wait or walk on to poolside
• Use lockers provided and not leave personal belongings in the changing cubicles
• Not approach the swimming teacher during lessons. If you have a question about your child’s progress please complete a ‘Question and Answer’ form or you can view their progress by accessing our Swimlincs Home Portal
• View your child’s lesson in the designated spectator area and not on poolside or the changing rooms.
• Not to bring your child if they feel ill or have been ill in the last 48 hours with diarrhoea, a sickness bug, a contagious disease (for example measles or chicken pox), an ear infection, open wounds, coughs or colds. It is advisable that they do not swim until fully recovered and symptom free

• Ensure that your child does not eat or drink at least one hour before their lesson.
• Be consistent with attending lessons
• Ensure that fees are paid in advance of the start of the lessons
• Respect our swimming teachers and share any concerns or complaints with the Health and Fitness Development Manager or Duty Manager immediately.

We thank you for your assistance and co-operation.

First lesson guide (accordion)

Please report to the customer service desk 20 minutes before the start of your child’s first lesson. This will allow us time to set-up your payment plan, answer any questions you may have regarding the lessons, explain who your child’s swimming teacher is and direct you to the changing rooms and waiting area.

Buoyancy aids will be provided for the duration of the lesson if needed and goggles are available to purchase from the customer service desk before the start of your child’s lesson.

The swimming teacher will take a register at the start of each lesson and collect your child from the designated waiting area.

Progress, updates and teaching criteria information (accordion)

Our swimming lessons run back to back so unfortunately there is no time for you to talk to your child’s swimming teacher during lesson time. If you have a question or would like to discuss your child’s progress we would ask that you complete a ‘Question and Answer’ form. The forms are available next to the Swimlincs notice board in the centre. Your child’s teacher will contact you as soon as possible regarding your question.

Swimlincs Home Portal

For those parents or guardians who have registered for this free service, you will be able to view your child’s progress online using our Swimlincs Home Portal. To access this service we require an email address from you. To register you will need your child’s Swimlincs card number. If you do not have a card number please contact the customer service desk at the centre where your child swims.

Parent handbook

Our parent handbook provides detailed information on our Swimlincs learn to swim programme. It includes the class levels and swim criteria needed to achieve that level, swimming teacher qualifications, child protection policy, payment and refund policy complaints procedures and more.

Swimming lessons for adults

We will update you when our adult swimming lessons resume.

Do you and your family enjoy a challenge?

For information on outdoor challenges in the North Lincolnshire area, including scavenger and treasure hunts, visit the Fuelled (Holiday activities) webpage.

Have you given the Park Fit circuits a go? Find the ten-station exercise circuits in Baysgarth Park and Central Park. Find out more in the ‘Keeping active outdoors’ section above.

A NL Active facility is the perfect venue for a children’s parties. We have a wide range of options available to suit all ages and interests including:

Pool party

If a party in a pool is what you’re looking for we have a number of options to suit your child’s interests including pool floats, inflatable assault courses, mermaid parties, and jet skis. Each facility has a different party offer, but we’ll do all we can to accommodate you.

Coming soon

Host your own mermaid / merman party! Contact bookings@northlincs.gov.uk to register your interest

Dry party

If you’d prefer to keep dry we have a number of options available including football parties, zorb football, Nerf parties, inflatable assault courses, bouncy castles and multi sports. Again, get in touch with us and let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll do what we can to arrange you a no fuss party!

Contact bookings@northlincs.gov.uk for more information.

Unleash your inner mermaid / merman with our underwater activities!

Delve under the water on our mermaid / merman sessions. You’ll wear a mermaid / merman mono fin and tail skin, take part in treasure hunts, play games, learn mermaid / merman skills, and choreograph your own routine.

Suitable for children aged 6+. Children must be able to swim 25m unaided and a safety test will be carried out before your child puts on the mono fin and tail skin.

Mermaid / merman sessions will take place during school holidays. Check back for more details.

Coming soon

Host your own mermaid / merman party! Contact bookings.pods@northlincs.gov.uk to register your interest

The Bujin karate club based at The Pods practices the style Wado Ryu. The main elements of the training are Kata and Kumite.

New starters are welcome from the age of eight onwards. All new students aged 16 years and under are asked to attend their first session on one of the new starter sessions dates shown below. Students aged 17 years and over can attend their first session on any training sessions.

Come along and try our ‘Do Something Different’ sport, leisure and cultural sessions specifically for adults with a disability aged 16 and above. Have fun, meet new people and learn new skills. Activities include rebound therapy, archery, table tennis, boccia and multi sports. To find out more call 01724 297270 or email community.recreation@northlincs.gov.uk.

Our Do Something Different video shows some of our previous activities and what people think to them.

Scorers is a free multi-sport programme for young people with a disability for people aged between 8 and 25 years old.

The weekly session takes place every Tuesday 6pm to 7.30pm at West Common Sports Hall (term time only) A signed parental consent form is required prior to taking part in your first session. Call 01724 297270 for more information or email community.recreation@northlincs.gov.uk.

Axholme North Leisure Centre has a weekly SEND pool session. Find details on the swimming timetable. There is a pool hoist available and also a Changing Places facility.

Sport England works with a range of partners to help more disabled people get active.

We Are Undefeatable is a campaign supporting those with long term health conditions to be more active.

Aspire is a national charity that gives practical help to people who’ve been paralysed by spinal cord injury.

Sense Arts, Sport & Wellbeing – inspires people with complex disabilities to be creative and active.

Sport England supports International Mixed Ability Sports to expand the delivery of the mixed ability model into new sports and new areas of the country.

The NHS has pulled together a guide to getting active if you have a disability or long-term health condition.

This guide will help you:

• build activity into your day
• search for activities or classes
• browse activities and sports

Visit the Get active with a disability page

Case studies will be included shortly in this section.