Center Parcs Gym: What You Need to Know

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There is a gym at every Center Parcs village in the UK and Ireland, so you can maintain your fitness routine while on holiday. However, having visited the gym myself, I’d encourage you to think carefully before booking.

The gym at Center Parcs is a small, no-frills room with limited equipment and very little atmosphere — and with no free weights at any village, the focus is almost entirely on cardiovascular machines. In my opinion, this makes the gym poor value for money.

Center Parcs is set within a beautiful forest that is far better suited to running, and the range of activities on offer provides far more variety for fitness than the gym ever could. Had the gym included free weights, my verdict might have been different — but as it stands, I’d only recommend it if a cardio session in an indoor setting is specifically what you’re after.

Center Parcs Gym Costs

The gym at Center Parcs is not included in the cost of your stay and must be booked and paid for separately.

A five-day gym pass costs £15 per person — each person requires their own pass, regardless of whether they are staying in the same room or lodge. The pass includes one visit per day for up to 90 minutes.

Booking The Center Parcs Gym

You can book the gym at Center Parcs up to 12 weeks before your arrival. This can be done either:

• Center Parcs Website
• Center Parcs App
• Over the phone
• In Person

The gym follows the same booking process as all Center Parcs activities – it must be reserved in advance, though since it rarely sells out, you can usually do this in person during your break.

Gym Equipment

The Center Parcs gym fitness equipment includes:

• Treadmill
• Bike
• Elliptical
• Rowing Machine
• Functional Trainer
• Chest Press
• Leg Curl Machine

There are no free weights, weight benches, or lifting areas at any Center Parcs gym – something worth factoring in if strength training is part of your routine.

The gym also has lockers, a shower, and a changing room at the entrance. It’s largely self-service although a staff member may occasionally come in to check the machines.

Opening Hours

The opening hours vary slightly depending on which village you’re visiting:

• Longford Forest: 8:00am – 9:15pm
• Elveden Forest: 9:15am – 7:45pm
• Sherwood Forest, Woburn Abbey, Longleat Forest & Whinfell Forest: 9:00am – 8:00pm

Age Limit

The minimum age to use the Center Parcs gym is 16 years. Anyone under 16 will not be permitted to use the facility, so it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re planning a family trip and hoping to bring a teenager along.

Center Parcs Gym Location

The gym is located inside the Sports Plaza at each of the Center Parcs villages. Before you enter the gym there are two things you’ll need from the Sports Plaza booking desk:

1. The door code to access the gym
2. To complete a short medical questionnaire

Both of these are required before your first session, so factor in a few extra minutes on your first visit.