Atherton Leisure Centre: The Ultimate Hub for Fitness, Family, and Fun in Newham

Atherton Leisure Centre is one of Newham’s premier destinations for fitness, wellness, and family fun. With a state-of-the-art gym, two swimming pools, a variety of group fitness classes, and dedicated play areas for children, it offers something for everyone. Perfectly located between Stratford and Ilford, the centre is designed to support both health enthusiasts and families seeking recreation, making it an accessible and vibrant hub for the local community.

Introduction to Atherton Leisure Centre

The borough of Newham is home to many community-focused facilities, but few match the scope and quality of Atherton Leisure Centre. Designed with inclusivity and accessibility at its core, the centre has become a landmark for fitness, health, and recreation. Whether you are training for peak performance, teaching your children to swim, joining a group exercise session, or simply looking for a fun family day out, Atherton Leisure provides a safe and modern environment to meet your needs.

What makes it unique is the balance between professional-level fitness equipment and family-oriented amenities. It’s not just a gym or a pool—it’s a complete lifestyle centre that brings people of all ages and backgrounds together.

The History of Atherton Leisure Centre

Atherton Leisure Centre stands on a site with deep community roots. The original facility, the West Ham Municipal Baths, first opened in 1934 and served generations of residents. After its closure in 2011, the site underwent redevelopment to create a modern leisure complex that meets today’s standards for health, safety, and inclusivity.

The new Atherton Leisure Centre opened its doors to the public in the mid-2010s, offering a wide range of upgraded facilities. Its design reflects both tradition and modernity—retaining the site’s importance as a community hub while incorporating contemporary architecture, advanced gym equipment, and adaptable spaces for diverse activities.

Gym Facilities

A State-of-the-Art Fitness Experience

The gym at Atherton Leisure is fully equipped with everything you need for a comprehensive workout. Spread across a spacious floor with air conditioning and natural light, the fitness area includes:

Cardiovascular machines: treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machines, exercise bikes, and steppers.

Strength and resistance equipment: weight machines targeting all major muscle groups.

Free weights section: dumbbells, barbells, benches, squat racks, and Olympic platforms.

Functional fitness zone: kettlebells, medicine balls, TRX suspension trainers, and stretching mats.

The gym caters to all levels—from beginners taking their first steps into fitness to advanced athletes seeking performance-focused training.

Personal Training

For members looking for tailored support, qualified personal trainers are available. They provide one-on-one sessions, creating personalized workout plans and offering guidance on nutrition, recovery, and lifestyle adjustments.

Swimming Pools

Main Pool

One of the highlights of Atherton Leisure is its 25-meter, 6-lane swimming pool. With a depth range of 0.9 to 2.9 meters, it is perfect for both casual swimmers and serious athletes. It is frequently used for:

Lane swimming

Swim for Fitness sessions

Lifesaving and water safety training

Teaching Pool

The 20×10-meter training pool is particularly notable because it comes with an adjustable floor. This allows the pool depth to be set anywhere between 0.9 and 2 meters, making it suitable for:

Children’s swimming lessons

Rehabilitation and physiotherapy exercises

Aquatic fitness classes

This flexibility ensures that people of all ages and swimming abilities can safely enjoy the water.

Fitness Classes

Atherton Leisure offers a diverse range of group fitness classes across its studios. These classes are designed to keep participants motivated, engaged, and socially connected. Popular classes include:

High-energy cardio sessions such as HIIT, Zumba, and Boxfit.

Strength-based workouts including Body Pump and kettlebell training.

Mind-body practices such as Yoga and Pilates.

Indoor cycling sessions in a dedicated cycle studio.

Group classes provide a dynamic alternative to solo workouts, with expert instructors guiding participants through routines that suit beginners and advanced members alike.

Family and Children’s Activities

Soft Play Area

One of the standout features for families is the soft play zone. Designed for children up to eight years old, it includes multi-tiered structures, slides, tunnels, and a dedicated baby area with a ball pit. It provides a safe environment for children to explore, socialize, and have fun.

Junior Gym

Atherton Leisure also runs a Junior Gym program for young people aged 11–17. These supervised sessions allow teenagers to use gym equipment under professional guidance, promoting healthy lifestyle habits from an early age.

Birthday Parties and Events

Families can also book the centre for birthday parties, combining play activities with catering and supervised fun. This makes it not just a leisure facility but a memorable destination for special occasions.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Atherton Leisure is designed to be fully accessible. From the entrance to the poolside, every detail supports users with mobility or sensory needs. Key accessibility features include:

Step-free, level access at all entrances

Automatic wide doors

A lift serving all floors

Accessible changing facilities with adapted showers and toilets

Hoist and platform lift access into pools

Visual and tactile signage

While hearing assistance systems are not currently in place, the centre maintains a welcoming environment for all and continues to adapt to community needs.

Community Programs and Wellbeing

Atherton Leisure is more than a gym—it’s a community wellbeing hub. Through partnerships and local initiatives, the centre hosts programs such as:

XPLORE, a free healthy lifestyle scheme for children and families.

Weight loss support groups and nutritional workshops.

Women-only and girls-only fitness sessions, promoting inclusivity.

School swimming programs, supporting water confidence and safety.

Seasonal holiday activities for children, keeping them active during breaks.

These programs ensure that the centre serves as a cornerstone for public health and social wellbeing in Newham.

Location and Transport

Situated at 189 Romford Road, London E15 4JF, Atherton Leisure is ideally located for residents of Stratford, Ilford, and the wider Newham area.

Public Transport: The nearest rail station is Maryland, while Stratford station (Underground, Overground, DLR, and National Rail) is a short distance away. Several bus routes stop close to the centre.

Cycling: The centre provides secure bicycle storage spaces.

Parking: While no dedicated car park is on-site, street parking and Blue Badge spaces are available nearby.

Its accessibility makes it a convenient option for local residents and visitors alike.

Opening Hours

Atherton Leisure operates with hours designed to accommodate busy schedules:

• Monday – Friday: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm

• Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

These extended hours ensure flexibility for early risers, evening gym-goers, and families planning weekend outings.

Why Choose Atherton Leisure?

When compared with other leisure facilities in London, Atherton Leisure stands out because of its:

Comprehensive facilities: A gym, pools, play areas, studios, and café under one roof.

Accessibility: Thoughtfully designed for inclusivity.

Community focus: With programs like XPLORE and Junior Gym, it invests in local wellbeing.

Family-friendly atmosphere: Soft play and birthday party services make it appealing to parents.

Modern equipment and design: Built to meet today’s standards of safety and performance.

Tips for Making the Most of Atherton Leisure

Book sessions in advance: Gym slots, swim sessions, and classes can get busy, especially evenings and weekends.

Use off-peak times: Mid-mornings and early afternoons are quieter, ideal for focused workouts or family swimming.

Explore group classes: They’re motivating and a great way to meet like-minded people.

Engage in community programs: Initiatives like XPLORE or women-only sessions can add variety to your routine.

Bring the kids: Whether for Junior Gym or soft play, it’s a safe environment to keep children active.

Future of Atherton Leisure

As Newham continues to grow and evolve, Atherton Leisure is expected to expand its role in promoting health, fitness, and social engagement. Potential developments may include updated digital booking systems, enhanced accessibility features, and more community-driven initiatives that support physical and mental wellbeing.

Conclusion

Atherton Leisure Centre is far more than a gym or pool—it is a community landmark in Newham, designed to bring people together through health, fitness, and fun. With its blend of modern facilities, family-friendly amenities, and inclusive approach, it represents the best of what a public leisure centre can be.

For individuals striving for fitness, families seeking recreational fun, or communities looking for accessible wellbeing solutions, Atherton Leisure delivers it all. Whether you’re swimming, working out, joining a class, or enjoying a day out with your children, this centre is a vibrant space where everyone belongs.