New timetables have come in this week for the council's BeActive programme - offering free swimming, gym sessions and other fitness activities for thousands of people in Kings Heath.

Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre and Billesley Tennis Centre are both part of the scheme - so you can even enjoy tennis for free in the build up to Wimbledon.

Birmingham City Council’s new Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Steve Bedser launched the new-look Be active scheme this week.  With over 50 sports now on offer as part of Be active, Cllr Bedser insists the award-winning free scheme has something for everyone.

“We know it’s going to be a massive summer for televised sport but while people will enjoy watching the Olympics, European Championships and Wimbledon, there’s no substitute for participating in sport yourself," says Cllr Bedser.

“Be active has been a huge success over the last few years and over 350,000 people have now signed-up to the scheme.

“But we were aware that many people saw this as merely free gym and swim, so we’ve responded to customer feedback and broadened the scope of the scheme. Now there really is something for everyone.”

John Denley, Consultant in Public Health for the NHS in Birmingham, added: “The huge range of activities now on offer means that there really is something for everyone, everyday and each leisure centre – and it’s still free.

“Be active has evolved over the past 12 months and now caters for all ages and abilities so that everyone can join in. Be Active not only includes Gym and Swimming classes, but a variety of other activities from Aerobics right through to Zumba. There’s so much on offer at leisure centres and parks across the city.

“Summer is the ideal time to get out and about and get moving, and Be active is the perfect opportunity to feel the physical benefits, lose weight, get fitter and feel better. It’s easy to join – just go along to your local leisure centre with proof of identity to get a leisure card.”

Over 350,000 people are now registered for the scheme, meaning one in three people across Birmingham enjoy free use of their council–run leisure facilities, attending gyms, swimming pools, walking groups, and fitness classes and reaping the health and wellbeing benefits it brings.

In addition to daily swim and gym sessions at all major leisure centres across the city, the new-look Be active scheme offers tennis, bowls, basketball, fencing, gymnastics, netball, badminton, table tennis, Tai Chi, yoga, boxercise, power plates, cycling, walking and much more at leisure centres and parks across the city.

Check our our Be active page to see what's on offer for free in Kings Heath.