Members of Parliament are calling for urgent upgrades to the subsidised gym within the Westminster estate, branding it too shabby and overpriced to attract users. The exclusive facility, located in a basement, has become the subject of numerous complaints, ranging from outdated showers to inconvenient operating hours.
A Gym in the Basement: The List of Complaints
A recent inquiry by the cross-party Commons Administration Committee revealed that a mere 13 out of 650 MPs have used the gym so far this year. The facility is operated by the charitable Jubilee Hall Trust, but any financial shortfall is covered by the taxpayer, who contributed £25,000 last year in addition to providing the space.
Veterans' Minister Al Carns has been a vocal critic, insisting that the £40-a-month fee—or £45 including towels—is excessively high for the standard offered. Giving evidence to the committee, the former soldier argued that the gym lacks the 'correct facilities or capabilities to match the standard and pressures of parliamentary life'.
Mr Carns, who uses the gym four or five days a week, described the facilities as neither 'welcoming' nor 'attractive', with 'decrepit' showers. He highlighted the impracticalities of the basement location, noting missing wall facings, a lack of suit hangers in the changing rooms, and the inability to keep a permanent locker. 'You have to lay your suit on the bench when you need to get into it,' he told colleagues.
Low Usage and Financial Struggles
The gym's affordability and quality were cited as key reasons for the dismal usage rate. Among the 15,000 parliamentary passholders, which includes staff, journalists, and civil servants, there is a barely 3 per cent usage rate. Jonathan Giles, chief executive of the Jubilee Hall Trust, confirmed to the committee that the gym has not broken even for the past seven years. While there are 560 members on direct debit or annual membership, and 22 casual users, this is 'not a level that allows the service to be self-sufficient'.
Mr Carns also pointed out that most modern gyms offer 24/7 access, whereas the parliamentary gym opens at 7 am and closes at night. He suggested installing CCTV as a potential solution to enable round-the-clock access for the busy parliamentary community.
Calls for a Modern Wellness Service
The debate has expanded beyond basic gym equipment to encompass broader wellbeing services. Labour MP Carolyn Harris asked about tailored support for women going through menopause and for individuals using weight-loss injections like Mounjaro. She revealed she does not use the Westminster gym, preferring her local facility six times a week.
Echoing this, Mr Carns argued the gym should provide a holistic service, from 'menopause advice and mental health all the way through to some heavy weights, big bars and CrossFit capabilities'. He emphasised that MPs, as leaders, have a responsibility to set a standard by collectively taking care of their health, which in turn helps them operate more effectively.
Mr Giles responded that while such specialised programmes are not currently offered, they could be implemented if the gym's status was changed from a private contract to a 'service', allowing for more investment in 'wellness' and classes, even if it doesn't generate a surplus.
A House of Commons spokesman stated that use of the gym is now at its highest level since 2020 and that they continue to work with the provider to improve the offer. The Administration Committee's ongoing inquiry into health and wellbeing services will use this evidence to inform its recommendations.
