This International Women’s Day (Sunday 8th March), leisure centres across Newham are proud to celebrate the women and girls in our community by highlighting the wide range of female-focused activities designed to support health, wellbeing and confidence at every stage of life.

From dedicated gym spaces to women and girls only swimming sessions, our centres provide welcoming, supportive environments where women can feel comfortable, confident and empowered to move more.

Women’s Only Gyms
At East Ham Leisure Centre and Newham Leisure Centre, women can access dedicated women’s only gym spaces, offering privacy and comfort while still providing a full range of cardio and strength equipment.

These spaces are designed to create a supportive atmosphere where women can focus on their fitness goals — whether that’s building strength, improving cardiovascular health, or simply finding time for themselves.

In addition, Atherton Leisure Centre offers women’s only gym sessions, giving women exclusive access to the gym at designated times throughout the week.

Women and Girls Only Swimming Sessions
Swimming remains one of the most popular ways for women and girls to stay active. At Newham Leisure Centre and Atherton Leisure Centre, dedicated women and girls only swimming sessions provide a relaxed and inclusive environment for participants of all ages and abilities.

These sessions are particularly valued by women who may prefer single-gender environments for cultural, religious or personal reasons, ensuring that everyone in the community has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of swimming.

Ladies Only Multi-Sports
At East Ham Leisure Centre, Ladies Only Multi-Sports sessions bring women together to try a variety of activities in a fun, social setting. From badminton to team games, these sessions encourage participants to build fitness, make friends and try something new.

The sessions are open to all abilities, making them perfect for beginners as well as those looking to return to sport.

Women’s Swimming Lessons
For women looking to build confidence in the water, Atherton Leisure Centre offers women’s swimming lessons. These sessions are designed to support beginners as well as those wanting to improve technique, all within a supportive female-only setting.

Learning to swim is a life skill — and these lessons help remove barriers that may have previously prevented women from taking part.

Check out centres timetables for more information and to book.