Based at the Plymouth Life Centre, Devonport Royal Swimming Association is a swimming club in Plymouth offering both swimming and water polo. It welcomes swimmers and players of all ages and abilities, from those who see time in the water as part of a balanced lifestyle to athletes aiming to compete at a high level. The club also hosts The Sizzler, an annual summer swim meet held at the Life Centre, and newcomers can book two free taster sessions.

Joining a swimming club is generally a good way to build fitness, improve technique with structured sessions and train alongside others with similar goals. Many clubs also offer a route into competition for those who want it.

Two free tasters

Swimming and water polo

All ages and abilities

Plymouth Life Centre

Competitive pathway

Annual summer meet

Swimming and water polo club at the Plymouth Life Centre for all ages and abilities, with two free taster sessions for newcomers.

Devonport Royal Swimming Association

Based in Hull, Dexterity Gymnastics Academy is a gymnastics club serving the East Riding of Yorkshire. If you are looking for a place to try gymnastics locally, this listing is a useful starting point for getting in touch and finding out more about what the academy offers.

Generally speaking, gymnastics clubs help participants build strength, flexibility, balance and coordination, with skills developed step by step under supervision. Many people take up the sport for fun and fitness, while others go on to work towards badges or competition. It is always worth contacting a club directly to ask about sessions, age groups and how to join.

Dexterity Gymnastics Academy is a gymnastics club in Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire. Find out more and get in touch about joining.

Dexterity Gymnastics Academy

Dharshanodiyaa School of Bharathanatiyam | Stoke on Trent

For families in Altrincham with very young children, Diddikicks Altrincham offers toddler football classes designed for ages 18 months to 5 years. The sessions focus on building early skills and encouraging a love of the game, with an emphasis on development that goes beyond football itself. Themed sessions and sticker charts form part of the wider Diddikicks programme.

Toddler football classes in general are a gentle introduction to sport, helping little ones practise coordination, balance and listening skills while having fun alongside other children. They can also be a sociable outing for parents and carers in Greater Manchester looking for an active weekly activity.

Ages 18 months to 5

Free trial available

Early skills development

Themed sessions

Sticker charts

Toddler football classes in Altrincham for ages 18 months to 5 years, building early skills and confidence. Free trials available.

Diddikicks Altrincham

For families in Blackburn looking for an early start in football, Diddikicks Blackburn offers toddler football classes for children aged 18 months to 5 years. The sessions are designed to be fun while helping little ones build early skills and a fondness for the game, and the wider programme also includes themed sessions and sticker charts to mark progress.

Toddler football classes generally focus on movement, coordination, listening and confidence as much as kicking a ball, giving young children a playful introduction to sport alongside others their age. Free trials are available, so parents can see whether the format suits their child before committing.

Coach-led classes

Development beyond football

Toddler football classes in Blackburn for ages 18 months to 5 years, building early skills through fun, themed sessions. Free trials available.

Diddikicks Blackburn

Toddler football classes in St Helens, Merseyside, are the focus at Diddikicks St Helens, which welcomes children aged from 18 months to 5 years. Sessions are designed to be fun while helping little ones build early skills and a love of the game, and the club describes its approach as development beyond football. Themed sessions also feature, and families can try a free trial before committing.

In general, toddler football classes are a gentle way for young children to get active, practise balance and coordination, and get used to listening and taking turns in a group. They can also be a sociable outing for parents and carers looking for a regular activity with their child.

Early football skills

Coached classes

Toddler football club in St Helens, Merseyside, for ages 18 months to 5 years, with fun skills sessions and free trials available.

Diddikicks St Helens

DKN GymnastiX

Dragons Martial Arts Centre

Dubarrie School of Dance

In Dumfries, this martial arts club teaches traditional Wado-Ryu karate, with sport karate also part of its offering. It is a member of the Shuzoku Wado-Kai Association and Karate Scotland (formerly the Scottish Karate Governing Body), and is accredited by Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Scottish Sports Council to teach in schools through the Active Schools programme. Sessions take place at Lochvale House in Georgetown and at the DG1 Leisure Complex.

The club welcomes students from age five upwards. Younger members are encouraged to enjoy themselves, while older students work on fitness and refining technique. Karate generally builds coordination, discipline and confidence, with progress usually marked through a structured grading system.

Traditional Wado-Ryu karate

Open from age five

Karate Cubs for under 12s

Accredited for schools

Karate Scotland member

Two Dumfries venues

Traditional Wado-Ryu karate club in Dumfries, welcoming students aged five and over, with a separate cubs group for under 12s.

Dumfries Wado-Kai Karate (Shuzoku Wado-Kai Association)

Dynamic Judo Sussex

Based in Leiston, Suffolk, this gymnastics venue is part of East Anglia Gymnastics, a group with sites across the region and beyond. Classes cover a wide age range, from pre-school Parent & Play sessions through to school-aged groups from Reception to Year 11, with selection-only intermediate and advanced squads for those progressing further. Other activities offered by the group include dance, acro and freestyle (parkour), plus school holiday activities and birthday parties.

Gymnastics is a good all-round activity for building strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Young children often start with playful, structured sessions, while older gymnasts can work towards skills, routines and, in many clubs, competitions.

Pre-school classes

Classes by school year

Selection squads

Dance, acro and parkour

Holiday activities

Part of a wider group

Gymnastics in Leiston, Suffolk with East Anglia Gymnastics: pre-school, school-aged and selection classes, plus dance, acro and parkour.

East Anglia Gymnastics - Leiston

Set in Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk, Eastgate Boxing Club is a martial arts venue for people who want to take up boxing or build on skills they already have. It offers a place to train in a sport built around technique, fitness and discipline.

Boxing clubs like this generally suit a range of ages and abilities, from complete newcomers finding their feet to those looking to spar and compete. Expect a focus on footwork, conditioning and gradually building confidence at your own pace.

Eastgate Boxing Club is a boxing and martial arts venue in Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk.

Eastgate Boxing Club

East Herts Gymnastics Club

East Lothian Self Defence

Eccleshill Badminton Club

Eccleston School Of Dance

Edinburgh Board Game Library

Edinburgh Goju Ryu Karate

Based in Coventry, Elite Dance Academy is a dance school serving the local West Midlands community. It offers a welcoming space for people who want to learn and develop their dance skills.

Dance classes can suit a wide range of ages and abilities, whether you are picking things up for the first time or building on existing experience. They are a good way to stay active, improve coordination and confidence, and enjoy learning alongside others.

Elite Dance Academy is a dance school in Coventry, West Midlands, welcoming a range of ages and abilities.

Elite Dance Academy

Based in the Belfast area, within Lisburn and Castlereagh, Elite Dance Studios is listed in our directory under sports. It offers local people a place to get involved in dance and keep active close to home.

Dance studios in general can be a good fit for anyone wanting to build fitness, coordination and confidence in a sociable setting. Many people find that regular dance sessions are an enjoyable alternative to the gym, and studios often welcome a range of ages and abilities. If you are curious about what is on offer here, it is worth getting in touch with the studio directly to ask about current sessions and how to join.

Elite Dance Studios is a dance and sports venue in Belfast, Lisburn and Castlereagh, offering a local place to get active through dance.

ELITE DANCE STUDIOS

Elite Strength Powerlifting

Elizabeth Grimshaw School Of Dance

Based in Warrington, Elysian Dance is a dance and fitness school running classes for a range of ages and abilities. Sessions take place at Orford Community Hub, with groups spanning younger children through to older and more experienced dancers.

The programme covers a mix of styles, including contemporary and street, alongside combined classes for those wanting more variety. Dance schools like this are a good way to build coordination, confidence and fitness, whether you are just starting out or looking to develop existing skills in a group setting.

Classes for all ages

Held at Orford Community Hub

Range of styles

Younger children's classes

Elysian Dance is a dance and fitness school in Warrington offering classes for all ages at Orford Community Hub.

Clubs