Sidney has its own College gym and shares sports grounds with St John's College.

With effect from 1 October 2025, the College gym will become free of charge. This applies to Sidney's students, Fellows, and staff.

Sidney's on-site gym contains a full range of cardio-vascular exercise and resistance equipment, rowing machines and free weights, together with shower and changing facilities.

We share extensive outdoor sports grounds with St John's College which is a fifteen-minute walk away. These outdoor sporting facilities include large playing fields, astroturf, and courts which Sidney students make full use of.

Many Sidney students run and participate in a range of sports clubs, from Ultimate Frisbee and mixed netball, to football and rugby, and many more! 

The Sidney Sussex Boat Club is thriving and some of our students have joined the crews in the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in recent years. Our boathouse can be found along the River Cam.

Sidney is perfect for serious sportsmen and women, and for those just wanting to try something new, keep fit, and have fun!

Discover the full range of clubs and societies at Sidney. 

Booking process

Joining the gym
  1. The Gym Officer coordinates gym induction sessions at the beginning of each term.
  2. Completion of a gym induction is mandatory for all prospective gym users.
  3. Students complete the Gym Registration Form and return it to the Porter's Lodge for processing.
  4. Once processed, students will be added to the gym key issue list on the Facilities Management System (FMS) and will be eligible to borrow a gym key.
  5. If a student has ticked 'Yes' in the health declaration section of the registration form, the form will be referred to the College Nurse for review and approval.
  6. Please note that a maximum of 15 users are permitted in the gym at any one time.
Booking pitches at St John's College sports ground
  • All bookings must be made by email sportsground@joh.cam.ac.uk.
  • All bookings must have at least 48hrs notice and must be booked no later than 12 noon on Thursdays for weekend matches.
  • For more information on the booking process, please refer to the Sports' Captains' Briefing document.