BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, recently celebrated Portsmouth100 with a series of fun and engaging group exercise classes across BH Live Active leisure centres, encouraging visitors and local residents to get active, connect, and enjoy the benefits of movement.
Portsmouth100 marks the centenary of Portsmouth being granted city status. Led by Portsmouth City Council, the year-long programme features a wide range of events, from civic ceremonies and cultural showcases to community-led activities, inviting residents, businesses, and organisations to celebrate the city’s heritage and look forward to the future.
As part of the celebrations, BH Live’s community sports team recently delivered a series of themed group exercise classes designed to inspire participation and promote healthier lifestyles.
From high-energy group workouts to beginner-friendly classes, BH Live Active teams welcomed hundreds of participants keen to get involved.
Highlights included:
- Aqua 100 – a fun AquaFit group exercise class that brought 100 participants into Mountbatten Leisure Centre’s main pools for an energising, refreshing workout.
- Badminton 100 – an exciting community event that encouraged participants to keep their shuttlecocks flying for 100 minutes at Wimbledon Park Sports Centre.
- Plus a month long fitness event in the Pyramids Centre gym that challenged participants to complete a 100 rep circuit, with Portsmouth-themed exercises:
- Spinnaker Squats (21 reps) for the Spinnaker Tower’s 21 viewing decks.
- Dockyard Deadlifts (20 reps) for the city’s proud naval dockyard history.
- Gangway Jumps (10 reps) for the 10 historic ships and attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
- Victory Press-Ups (31 reps) for HMS Victory’s 31 miles of rigging.
- Gunwharf Burpees (10 reps) for Gunwharf’s 10 original naval storehouses.
- Clarence Core (8 sit-ups) marking Clarence Pier’s 8 decades of fun since 1932.
These classes placed a strong emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that everyone felt welcome, regardless of experience or fitness background. Many sessions were specifically tailored to support individuals taking their first steps into physical activity, as well as those looking to re-engage with their health and wellbeing.
Following the success and popularity of these sessions, BH Live is planning to return with a new fun community event, The Pompey Games, in September 2026 delivered in partnership with Portsmouth Seekers Create at the Mountbatten Leisure Centre.
Set to take place on Saturday 12 September, more information about the event will be shared soon.
BH Live operates BH Live Active health and wellbeing facilities across the city on behalf of Portsmouth City Council, supporting residents to lead healthier, more active lives.
On behalf of BH Live, Carla Earle, Community Sports Manager, shared;
“It’s been fantastic to see so many people getting involved in our group fitness sessions. We’ve welcomed lots of new faces, and Portsmouth100 has given us a great opportunity to connect with more people across the community.
These sessions really show that being active can be enjoyable, inclusive, and accessible for everyone.”
BH Live is committed to inspiring more people to improve their health and wellbeing by moving more regularly and reducing barriers to physical activity through health and wellbeing initiatives, concessions, and more.
Health and wellbeing initiatives in Portsmouth include group exercise classes for specialist conditions such as COPD, Parkinson’s, stroke rehab, as well as sessions such as walking football, walking netball, SEND swimming, and much more.
For more information about BH Live’s health and wellbeing programmes, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/health-and-wellbeing-activities.
For more information about Portsmouth100, visit visitportsmouth.co.uk/portsmouth-100/things-to-do.
For more information about BH Live, visit bhlive.org.uk.
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Notes to editors:
About Mountbatten Leisure Centre
Mountbatten Leisure Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and is operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
Portsmouth’s flagship leisure and event venue. Located in the heart of Hilsea, Mountbatten is located just a short distance from Portsmouth’s city centre. Its large and well-equipped gym, accessible by lift, has multiple zones with something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness.
Dedicated training areas offer cardio machines, free weights, functional fitness spaces and more. With health and wellbeing professionals on hand, there is also an exercise referral team to offer guidance and support if recovering from an illness, injury or long term health condition. Group exercise classes run seven days a week and include Les Mills™ BodyPump, BodyCombat, Sprint, Grit, Group Cycle, Bootcamp, Shapes, yoga, Pilates, aqua, TechnogymTM Group Cycle, circuits, and more.
There is a 50 metre swimming pool (divided into two) with regular public swimming sessions, lane swimming, pool-based classes and lessons. There is also a smaller teaching pool for little ones and lessons. Mountbatten is also home to AquaDash – a large pool inflatable course – great fun for young people, team building away days, and parties. Spa facilities include a sauna, spa bath and steam room.
Mountbatten offers a broad health and wellbeing programme which focuses on helping people with long-term conditions to stay active and build their confidence in one one-on-one or group settings.
Mountbatten is also home to a Clip ‘N Climb leisure attraction and MountAirXL, a giant inflatable complete with slides, jumps, and adventure zones.
Multi-sport activities and events are held in the centre’s eight-court sports hall throughout the year in partnership with local clubs and schools. An outdoor velodrome and athletics track hosts regular training, events and competitions throughout the year.
Open to members and non-members, a Terrace Café has free customer WiFi and a children’s soft play facility. Here you can buy all sorts of snacks, meals and drinks.
ANPR is in operation at Mountbatten Leisure Centre. There is free customer parking for up to four hours, seven days a week. Accessible spaces are available for Blue Badge holders. Charges apply for longer stays – see car park signage for details.
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/mountbatten.
Get social with us:
Facebook – @mountbattenlc
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Address: BH Live Active Mountbatten, Alex Way, Portsmouth, PO2 9QA, HAMPSHIRE
About BH Live Active, Pyramids
Pyramids is owned by Portsmouth City Council and is operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
The centre is situated in Southsea overlooking the beach and Solent. There is something to suit every activity preference and level of fitness. The centre has state-of-the-art Technogym fitness equipment in an airy spacious gym with functional fitness, strength and cardio activities. There is a dedicated assessment area for those who are new to exercise complete with fitness tracking technology to help set activity goals.
Pyramids has four activity studios too; the Glasshouse and Solent each with sea views. There is also the region’s only dedicated HIIT studio running circuits style HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) classes, and a TechnogymTM Group Cycle studio. Group exercise classes run seven days a week including Yoga, Pilates and classes as part of the Les MillsTM programme including BodyPump, BodyCombat and Core.
A South Terrace outdoor café and container bar is open throughout the spring and summer season, offering snack, light bites and refreshments overlooking the Solent.
Next to Pyramids is a public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces for blue badge holders. Up to two hours of free parking is available for customers attending the gym or a class – ask or register in centre. There is also free roadside parking along Clarance Esplanade after 6pm.
This car park adjacent to Pyramids is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Find out more at bhliveactive.org.uk/pyramids.
Get social with us:
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Facebook – @Pyramids.Centre
Address: BH Live Active Pyramids, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3ST, HAMPSHIRE
About Exploria
Exploria at Pyramids in Southsea opened in 2021. It is Portsmouth’s largest indoor soft play and bounce attraction. With a range of exciting experiences, Exploria stimulates play for children aged 6 months and upwards. A tantalising sense of wonder and extreme fun across three connected worlds gives children plenty of action to amaze and delight. Everything, from floor to ceiling, evokes a sense of mystery with lots of jumps, leaps and thrills. All safely rightsized to inspire juniors, toddlers and babies alike.
The bounce zone is great for burning off tons of energy. The diving tower with air bag is perfect for the bravest of explorers. There are interactive games, themed slides. agility parkour, battle beams and foam pits too. Our play zone features ball pits, spider’s web and cargo climbing, a rope bridge skywalk, bash bags, tunnels, rollers, beams plus a dodge ball shoot out. And the baby and toddler zone has all things Exploria, but downsized for little ones of preschool age.
There are quieter SEN play and bounce sessions, plus two dedicated sensory rooms with stimulating lights, sound and touch.
Four themed party rooms based on Volcanos, an underwater world, Mayan Ruins and Egyptian tomb – great for celebrating special occasions and birthdays, A dedicated Exploria café serves delicious snacks, light bites and drinks. And there’s toilets, accessible facilities, baby change, lockers, and a buggy park too. Exploria can accommodate school group bookings too – a great way to reward a class or year group.
For more information and to book online visit exploria.org.uk
Get social with us:
Facebook, Instagram – @exploriauk
Exploria is located at Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3ST. There is a pay and display public car park with 154 parking spaces including six accessible spaces for blue badge holders. This car park is managed by Portsmouth City Council and parking charges apply. – see website for details https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/
Address: Exploria at Pyramids, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 3ST, HAMPSHIRE
About Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre
Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and is operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
Located in Hilsea, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre and next to Mountbatten, Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre is one of the leading gymnastics facilities in the country.
This purpose-built, state‑of‑the‑art gymnastics training facility is designed to support children, young people, and adults at every stage of their gymnastics journey. The centre offers a fantastic artistic and acrobatic gymnastics club programme, giving participants the opportunity to develop skills right through to competition level in a supportive and inspiring environment.
The centre is home to a wide range of sessions, including pre‑school, recreational, teen, and SEN gymnastics, as well as dedicated artistic and acrobatic pathways delivered by an expert coaching team. Whether taking first steps into the sport or progressing through advanced routines, gymnasts benefit from high‑quality equipment, foam pits, sprung flooring, and specialist training zones designed for safe skill development.
Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre also hosts exciting events such as school holiday activities, gymnastics camps, and other opportunities to celebrate achievements and milestones throughout the year, making it a vibrant community hub for gymnastics enthusiasts across the region.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/gymnastics-centre
Get social with us:
Facebook – @PortsmouthGymnasticsCentre
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Address; Portsmouth Gymnastics Centre, Alex Way, Portsmouth, PO2 9AD, HAMPSHIRE
About Portsmouth Tennis Centre
Portsmouth Tennis Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and is operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
Situated in the north of Portsmouth (Hilsea) next to Mountbatten, Portsmouth Tennis Centre is a welcoming and accessible hub for players of all ages and abilities. The centre features an impressive range of facilities, including four indoor courts and six floodlit outdoor courts, enabling year‑round play whatever the weather.
Visitors can enjoy a comprehensive coaching programme designed to support progression at every level, including first‑time tots picking up a racket, juniors developing their skills, and adults returning to or advancing within the sport. Sessions also include popular variations such as cardio tennis and touch tennis, offering fun and dynamic alternatives for fitness and skill development.
As part of BH Live’s commitment to creating accessible, community‑focused facilities, Portsmouth Tennis Centre also provides inclusive opportunities for under‑represented groups and disability tennis, further strengthening its role as a key sporting destination in the region.
Supported by HAF (Holiday Activities and Food Programme) funding, Portsmouth Tennis Centre provides free sports camp spaces including hot meals and activities during school holidays for children from low socio-economic backgrounds.
The centre additionally runs accessible sessions in partnership with local community groups such as Headway and DS Active and is home to ACE Academy, a tennis programme for children aged 5-16 taught alongside the LTA’s youth learning framework.
For more information, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/tennis-centre.
Get social with us:
Facebook – @PortsmouthTC
Instagram – @PortsmouthTennisCentre
Address; Portsmouth Tennis Centre, Alex Way, Portsmouth, PO2 9AD, HAMPSHIRE
About Wimbledon Park Sports Centre
Wimbledon Park Sports Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and is operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
Located a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Wimbledon Park Sports Centre has a large sports hall with access to activities such as badminton and indoor sports.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/wimbledon-park
Get social with us:
Facebook – @WimbledonParkSportsCentre
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Address: Wimbledon Park Sports Centre, Taswell Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 2RG, HAMPSHIRE
About Charter Community Sports Centre
Charter Community Sports Centre is owned by Portsmouth City Council and is operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
Located in Portsmouth’s busy university district, a five-minute drive from Portsmouth city centre, Charter Community Sports Centre offers access to swimming, gym, group exercise classes and sports hall activities. There is also an outdoor multi-use games area.
Charter Community Sports Centre is also home to Shuttle Stars, Badminton England’s official junior pathway created especially for children aged 7–11. The programme introduces young players to badminton through fast‑paced, games-based learning that builds skills, confidence, coordination, and a genuine love for the sport in a friendly, supportive setting.
For more visit bhliveactive.org.uk/charter
Get social with us:
Facebook – @CharterCommunitySC
Instagram – @bhliveactive
Address: Charter Community Sports Centre, Greetham Street, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 4LF, HAMPSHIRE