ARU in the community

Sports and exercise

In Cambridge and Chelmsford, our gyms and sports halls are open to the public. Read more about gym facilities and membership packages below.

Cambridge

Helmore Gym

  • Centrally located on East Road, Cambridge.
  • Featuring a range of cardiovascular equipment with 15” LCD touchscreen consoles with built-in digital channels and internet browsers.
  • Olympic lifting platforms and racks, dumbbells ranging from 2.5kg–50kg, and functional resistance machines.

Explore Helmore Gym and join online



Chelmsford

The Old Factory gym

  • A short walk from Chelmsford station in Globe House, New Street.
  • A range of fitness classes.
  • Les Mills classes such as BodyPump, BodyCombat and BodyBalance.
  • Large, spacious gym featuring a multi-functional fitness rig, three squat racks, two ten-metre sled tracks, fixed-resistance machines and free weights.

Explore The Old Factory and join online

Mildmay Sports Hall and MUGA

  • Part of ARU's campus in Chelmsford.
  • Four badminton courts.
  • Fully equipped for a range of other indoor sports including basketball, netball, futsal and indoor cricket.
  • Flood lit MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) suitable for 5-a-side games. There's also a 3x3 basketball court.
  • Changing facilities, lockers and accessible changing facilities on site. 

Read more about Mildmay Sports and Hall and book

Heart and Sole walks

  • Take part in free lunchtime walks, led by walk leaders. Our routes takes us through the beautiful Chelmer Valley Nature Reserve.
  • Tuesdays throughout the year, from 12.15-12.45pm. 
  • Meet outside the Lord Ashcroft Building at ARU in Chelmsford.
  • After the walk you’re welcome to visit our campus café and enjoy a free tea or coffee.

The walks are part of Chelmsford's Health Walk scheme, Heart and Sole.



Writtle

Parkrun

Join us on Saturdays for our free, fun, and friendly 5k community Parkrun. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you. Parkruns are free but please register before you come along. Visit the ARU Writtle Parkrun website for more information, directions, and to register.

Sports testing

Are you a keen runner or cyclist? Benefit from free power, economy and VO2 max tests in our Centre for Sport and Health.