National Fitness Day 2026

National Fitness Day takes place on 16 September, with this year's theme, Powered by You, recognising the role all of us play in creating a healthier, more active future.

‍

For some people, fitness means football, swimming or regular gym sessions. For others, it's a walk with the dog, cycling to work, gardening or finding an activity that gets them moving and keeps them coming back.

‍

The activity itself may be different for everyone. What matters is having the opportunity to take part.

‍

A long history of getting involved

‍

Atherstone has a long history of doing exactly that.

‍

Local archives include photographs of football teams from the 1930s and even records showing that residents were once threatened with a fine for playing tennis in the early 1400s. The activities may have kept changing over the centuries, but the appetite for getting involved clearly hasn't.

‍

These glimpses into the past remind us that an active community is not defined by one sport, one club or one type of facility. It is created by giving people different ways to take part.

‍

More ways to be active

‍

That thinking sits at the heart of Atherstone’s new leisure facility.

‍

The current plans bring together swimming pools and a splash pad, a 100-station gym, group fitness studios, children’s activity provision and flexible community spaces. The result will be a broad mix of opportunities for different ages, interests and levels of experience.

‍

Together, these activities reflect a simple idea: there should be more than one route into being active for our community.

‍

The experiences that stay with us

‍

One of the themes to emerge through Heart of Our Community is that people rarely remember a facility purely for the activities it offered.

‍

They remember learning to swim, joining a team, trying something new or finding a hobby that became part of everyday life.

‍

Atherstone Leisure Centre was part of childhood memories, special moments in life and meaningful careers in leisure. What began as somewhere to take part became something much bigger.

‍

Not every experience will follow the same path, of course. Sometimes it is simply about finding an activity you enjoy, improving a skill or surprising yourself with what you can do. Those experiences matter too.

‍

Powered by people

‍

Facilities create opportunities, but it is people who bring them to life.

‍

Coaches, teachers, instructors and volunteers help others develop their skills. Parents support children to attend. Friends make trying something new feel less daunting. Clubs and community organisations put in the work that keeps local activities running.

‍

That is what Powered by You means at a community level. It includes everyone who takes part, as well as those who encourage and make space for others.

‍

Share your story

‍

As Atherstone prepares for new opportunities in swimming, fitness and physical activity, we also want to capture the experiences that have shaped the town’s active life until now.

Perhaps you learned to swim at Atherstone Leisure Centre, joined a class, played for a local team or found an activity that gave you confidence. Maybe a teacher, coach, friend or family member helped you begin.

‍

You can share your story and photographs through our Share your memories project. Contributions can include sport and fitness, alongside community activities, performances, celebrations and experiences connected to Atherstone Leisure Centre and Memorial Hall.

‍

Because Atherstone’s active community has always been shaped by the people who take part.

‍

This National Fitness Day, help us make its story Powered by You.

‍