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A £410,000 investment is set to transform two local leisure centres over the coming month. 

Everyone Active, which manages Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre and Berkhamsted Leisure Centre on behalf of Dacorum Borough Council, is funding the project.

Berkhamsted Leisure Centre will be the first to benefit from this investment, receiving £230,000, primarily focused on expanding its strength training capabilities to meet growing demand.

The revamp will see the free weights area double in size, boasting new benches, an expanded range of dumbbells and a tripled Olympic rack presence. 

Meanwhile, all cardio equipment is being upgraded to new models, including new treadmills, cross trainers and spin bikes. The centre will also introduce innovative equipment like a ski erg, adding variety to workout routines.

Recognising the importance of recovery, the gym will now offer theraguns to aid muscle relaxation, alongside a dedicated stretch and recovery area.

To minimise disruption, Berkhamsted Leisure Centre’s existing gym will remain open during most of the work, with a temporary gym set up in the sports hall. However, the gym will close for two individual days on Wednesday 14 and Wednesday 28 August, reopening on Thursday 29 August with its new look.

Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre, which underwent a full refurbishment in December 2022, is set to receive an additional £180,000 investment. 

This latest upgrade will bring in a host of new equipment, including the state-of-the-art Speedflex Blade. Dubbed 'HIIT without the hurt,' this innovative machine features an interactive screen offering coach-led workouts, mirroring the equipment in the Fortis studio. The Speedflex Blade caters to users of all ages, providing more than 100 on-demand workouts without causing joint pressure or pain. 

The Hemel Hempstead centre will also see the installation of new benches and all new Life Fitness strength equipment.

Hemel Hempstead's gym will close on Monday 2 September, for one day to facilitate the removal of old equipment. The installation of new equipment will occur over the following two days during regular hours, with all the new kit ready for use from Thursday 5 September.

In addition, four fitness studios at Hemel Hempstead will be refreshed with new lighting and décor for classes including spinning, body pump and yoga. 

Steve Cox, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: "We're thrilled to announce this significant investment into our Dacorum leisure centres, which we believe will greatly enhance our fitness offerings. 

“From doubling the free weights area in Berkhamsted to refreshing the studios in Hemel Hempstead and introducing the innovative Speedflex Blade, these improvements will ensure we continue to offer an exceptional fitness experience.

“This project really marks an exciting time for fitness in our borough, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the council to bring more exciting developments in the future."

Councillor Sheron Wilkie, our Portfolio Holder for Place, said: “We’re determined to deliver the kind of top-quality sports and fitness facilities that gives people who live work and study in Dacorum the means and motivation to keep active.

“The planned improvements at the two leisure centres are a great example of the work the council and its partner Everyone Active is doing to achieve that aim. By improving customer experience, it is our hope that usage of the facilities will increase, and the health and wellbeing of the local population will benefit as a result.”

To mark the completion of the gym upgrades, Everyone Active plans to host free celebratory open days at both sites in September. Details of these events will be announced soon, offering residents a chance to explore the new facilities firsthand.

The gym improvements are part of a broader programme of enhancement work. Berkhamsted Leisure Centre also had its astroturf football pitches resurfaced in June, while Hemel Hempstead is scheduled for the same replacement work in the autumn.