XCITE (West Lothian Leisure) welcomed Bathgate and Linlithgow MP, Kirsteen Sullivan, to Xcite Linlithgow recently to celebrate National Fitness Day, showcasing the important role community leisure facilities play in helping people across West Lothian live healthier, happier and longer lives.
During the visit, Kirsteen toured the facilities and met P5-P7 pupils from Linlithgow Bridge Primary School, who were visiting to try out Xcite’s Hyrox Youngstars classes. These weekly classes for children aged 8-15 combine running and functional fitness to build fitness, confidence and teamwork. The 30 P7 pupils cycled from the school to Xcite Linlithgow and back, led by Nicola Fell, Xcite’s Bikeability Coordinator.
Kirsteen also met Xcite staff, tried some of the gym facilities and was led through a Technogym CheckUp assessment, using the latest AI technology. From assessing body composition and balance to testing strength and cardio fitness, the CheckUp provides a complete picture of overall wellness.
Demand for gyms, pools and leisure centres continues to grow across the UK, with a record 12.2 million people now members of a health and fitness club, according to the UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2026. The report also recorded 679 million visits to health and fitness clubs during 2025, demonstrating the growing role these facilities play in supporting people to be active. That demand is reflected locally at Xcite Linlithgow, which recorded 538,897 annual visits in 2025/26, an increase of more than 34,000 on the previous year, including 169,366 visits to the gym.
Kirsteen’s visit celebrated National Fitness Day, which is coordinated by ukactive, the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector. This year’s theme, ‘Powered by You’, highlights the part everyone can play in helping people become more active. Thousands of gyms, pools, leisure centres and sports clubs across the UK marked the day with activities designed to encourage people to try something new and take small, sustainable steps towards a more active lifestyle.
Ben Lamb, CEO at Xcite, said:
“We were delighted to welcome Kirsteen to Xcite Linlithgow on National Fitness Day to show her the part our facilities and our people play in helping communities across West Lothian to be more active. Today was a great example of that, from children enjoying the chance to try a new activity through Hyrox Youngstars to adults using our facilities to improve their fitness, health and wellbeing.
“As a charity, our focus is making physical activity as accessible as possible and reinvesting our surplus back into services for the people of West Lothian. National Fitness Day is a fantastic reminder that becoming more active can start with something small, and we’d encourage everyone in West Lothian to find an activity they enjoy and give it a go.”
Kirsteen Sullivan MP said:
“National Fitness Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the importance of keeping active and healthy. To mark this day, it was fantastic to visit Xcite Linlithgow, meet the team and see local children getting involved in fitness sessions. I was also pleased to take part myself and get a health check done – a great reminder that looking after our health is important at every age. Thanks to Xcite and UKactive for organising the visit and to the team for such a warm welcome.”
Cameron Saunders, CEO of ukactive, said:
“It’s great to see MPs visiting their local gyms, pools and leisure facilities so they can witness first-hand the impact ukactive members are having on the mental and physical wellbeing of their communities. Through supporting our mission of more people, more active, more often, fitness and leisure facilities are helping millions of people lead healthier, happier and better-connected lives.”
To find an activity, class or facility near you and discover ways to get active with Xcite, visit: www.westlothianleisure.com
