£850,000 leisure facility upgrades now complete in Barking and Dagenham

New Olympic squat racks at Abbey Leisure Centre

Two leisure centres in Barking and Dagenham have undergone extensive gym upgrades worth £850,000, marking a significant enhancement to the borough's fitness infrastructure.

Abbey Leisure Centre in Barking, which unveiled its new gym just before Christmas, has received a complete redesign with all new equipment.

In a formal ceremony at Abbey Leisure Centre, Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, joined key staff from operator Everyone Active to cut the ribbon and officially open the new gym facilities.

Abbey Leisure Centre has introduced a range of new equipment from industry leaders Life Fitness and Hammer Strength. Members can now enjoy expanded cardio options including advanced treadmills, exercise bikes, and rowing machines.

Councillor Saima Ashraf of Barking and Dagenham Council

Comprehensive strength training equipment has been added with free weights, plate loaded kit and cable machines as well as a new relaxation zone featuring massage guns for post-workout recovery.

The space has been fully redecorated in Everyone Active’s signature bold red and black theme, complemented by modern LED lighting and rubber flooring designed for comfort and noise reduction. There is also a brand new Grab and Go food service, contemporary seating area, and retail space.

Meanwhile at Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, the upgrades focused primarily on strength training facilities, introducing Olympic lifting platforms and new Life Fitness equipment. The centre’s changing facilities have also received substantial improvements.

Hasan Romel, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: "We're incredibly excited to welcome our community back and invite everyone to come down and see the transformation for themselves at our centres.

Tina Collins (left) and Hasan Romel (right) of Everyone Active show Councillor Ashraf around the upgraded facilities at Abbey Leisure Centre

“We're seeing a clear shift toward hybrid training approaches, where people want both comprehensive strength training facilities and advanced cardio options. These upgrades deliver exactly that, ensuring our centres remain aligned with contemporary fitness trends while providing the high-quality facilities our residents deserve.

“From Olympic lifting platforms to state-of-the-art cardio equipment, we're now equipped to support every type of fitness journey."

Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic to see the doors reopen to these centres with state-of-the-art facilities for residents to enjoy. The completed works have come at the perfect time with many of us getting our new year’s resolutions into action. So, if improving your health and fitness, or simply finding a new hobby is one of them, I encourage you to plan a visit.”