Public leisure facilities have joined forces to offer unlimited use of gyms, swimming pools and exercise classes at 65 centres throughout London.

The London Fitness Network is a collaboration between eight charities and trusts, which between them run the majority of London’s public sports and fitness centres.

The idea for the membership scheme emerged following feedback from customers living and working in different parts of the capital. Many members have lifestyles which require a package giving them wider geographical access to health and fitness facilities. Consequently they were better off joining a chain of private sector clubs rather than taking out several memberships in the public sector.

The organisations involved felt that creating a membership which gave cross-borough access would benefit current customers and also offer an affordable alternative to higher-priced chains, many of which do not provide swimming pools or sports facilities.

“Over the last three to five years the majority of our centres have been transformed through massive investment in state-of-the-art equipment which rivals many of the commercial gym chains,” said Jonathan Stemp, director of Greenwich Leisure and chairman of the London Fitness Network.

“Creating a membership scheme which gives access to all of these, represents a major step forward in affordable, quality fitness facilities for Londoners.”

Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn launched the London Fitness Network at the Gym at Jubilee Hall, Covent Garden.

The launch also included presentations from Matt Delaney of Sport England, Judith Woodward, senior policy adviser to the Mayor of London and international high jumper, Dalton Grant, who said: “I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth so having access to good quality public facilities where serious athletes trained was very important for me – I rubbed shoulders with Sebastian Coe and other Olympians at my local centre in Hackney, and they really helped me to realise my potential.”