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An exciting new digital system is set to give leisure centre members more control of their fitness as part of efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of South Tyneside residents.

The state-of-the-art digital management system will enhance the experience for leisure centre users, providing more flexibility and making it easier for them to book, and check-in to, their swim, gym and fitness sessions.

The changes are being implemented across the Council's six leisure centres over the coming weeks and include:

• A new mobile app providing an easier and faster way for people to book, pay for and keep track of their classes and activities using their smart phones. The app will also help leisure members keep up-to-date with the latest news;
• Self-serve kiosks enabling people to collect sauna wristbands and check-in and book activities without the need to queue at leisure centre receptions
• Electronic check-in for class programmes using new tablets installed outside studios.

Non-members and people who don't have smart phones or access to the internet will still be able to book sessions over the phone and pay and check-in at leisure centre receptions.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Deputy Leader of Â鶹ÊÓƵ with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: "We are excited to be giving our leisure services system a fresh new look and feel, with a range of modern, innovative features that give our leisure users more control of their fitness regimes.

"With hundreds of fitness classes, swim and gym sessions available across our leisure portfolio, this new approach streamlines the bookings and payments system, making it easier for people to access leisure services. The greater range of online self-service capabilities also offers more flexibility.

"We hope that this investment in the leisure ICT will improve the experience for those visiting our centres as we support our residents to lead healthy and active lifestyles."

The new Legend software follows the introduction of the Council's online booking system in December 2020, further building on the use of digital technology which accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic.

It will also enable the Council to get a better insight into its customer base through improved tracking and reporting systems. This will mean that services can be further developed to better meet customers' needs.

Leisure members will be contacted about the new system ahead of it going live.

More details about South Tyneside's leisure centres and services is available at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/leisure.