Special exercise and swimming wristbands

Welcome to the swimming pools and gyms to exercise! Check out the wristbands for special groups available to Espoo residents and get yours.

The criteria for granting wristbands for special groups will change from 1 January 2026

The prices, granting criteria and application process for swimming and gym wristbands for special groups will change from 1 January 2026. The existing wristbands for special groups will be replaced by the special exercise wristband and special swimming wristband, which are subject to different granting criteria.
You do not need to submit a separate application for the special exercise wristband or special swimming wristband. You can purchase the wristband at cash desks of City of Espoo indoor swimming pools by presenting an approved certificate.
The last day for sending applications for swimming and gym wristbands for special groups was 25 September 2025.
If the decision on your wristband was made before the entry into force of the new criteria, you can purchase a special exercise or special swimming wristband until the day indicated in the decision.

Persons entitled to the special exercise wristband can purchase swimming pool and gym products at discount prices. Persons entitled to the special swimming wristband can purchase swimming pool products at discount prices.

The get active wristband was introduced at the start of 2026. With this wristband, persons eligible for discounts can use indoor and outdoor swimming pools and independent training slots at gyms at specific times. Read more about the get active wristband in the swimming pool price list: Get active wristband.

Special exercise wristband

Price: 60 e
Validity: One year from the date of purchase
Buying: The wristband can be purchased at Espoo swimming pools (excluding Olari) beginning on 1 January 2026

The Special fitness wristband may be granted to Espoo residents with a significant disability caused by a permanent long-term illness or disability.

The same wristband grants access to City of Espoo swimming pools and all open gym times in accordance with the age limits and rules. The age limit to the gyms is 15. Wristbands includes the friend benefit, which allows the holder to bring along an adult friend free of charge. In addition, the holder may bring along an assistant free of charge if the need for an assistant is indicated on the approved certificate.

Note that you must also purchase the actual wristband to which the product is uploaded. The wristband costs 10 euros. The product can also be downloaded to your existing swimming pool and gym wristband.

Criteria for granting the Special exercise wristband

EU Disability Card
Visual impairment card
Parking card or permit for persons with reduced mobility
Authorised transportation service
A valid decision on swimming or gym wristbands for special groups made before January 1, 2026.

In addition, the wristband can be purchased with the right to purchase granted through adapted exercise counselling.

Special swimming wristband

Price: 41,50 e
Validity: One year from the date of purchase
Buying: The wristband can be purchased at Espoo swimming pools (excluding Olari) beginning on 1 January 2026

The Special swimming wristband is a seasonal product that grants access to City of Espoo swimming pools. Wristbands includes the friend benefit, which allows the holder to bring along an adult friend free of charge. In addition, the holder may bring along an assistant free of charge if the need for an assistant is indicated on the approved certificate.

Criteria for granting the Special swimming wristband

EU Disability Card
Visual impairment card
Parking card or permit for persons with reduced mobility
Authorised transportation service
The following Kela card codes: 203, 103, 111, 109, 303, 110, 112, 188, 202, 206
A valid decision on swimming or gym wristbands for special groups made before January 1, 2026.

In addition, the wristband can be purchased with the right to purchase granted through adapted exercise counselling.

Swimming friend and gym friend

A person using the Special exercise wristband or Special swimming wristband can take an accompanying friend free of charge to the City of Espoo swimming halls and gyms. The accompanying friend can be any adult, for example, a relative or a friend. The friend can come with the wristband user even if they would have the assistant code on the wristband and the assistant with them.

Friends can't accompany the wristband user at the guided services of the swimming pools and gyms.

Asisstant code

The assistant code can be added to the Special exercise wristband or the Special swiming wristband with the A symbol of the EU Disability Card or visual impairment card.

It is possible to get an assistant code for the swimming wristband for special groups so that an adult assistant can accompany the wristband holder free of charge to city-run swimming pools. The assistant helps the wristband holder with getting dressed, washing and getting around throughout the visit. The assistant code will be added to the Special exercise or swimming wristband when you buy your wristband at the swimming pool cash desk.

Informal carers can use swimming pools and gyms free of charge

Informal carers can use swimming pools and independent training slots at gyms free of charge. This benefit is granted to a person taking care of an Espoo resident and receiving informal care support from the Western Uusimaa wellbeing services county. The payslip for the subsidy must be presented at the swimming pool’s cash desk. You can use the benefit on a one-off basis or purchase a wristband valid for six months.

Information on the update

Answers to the most important questions.

In 2026, we will be developing a process for adapted exercise counselling, through which adapted exercise customers may be granted the right to purchase a Special fitness wristband. This is a one-year pilot project, whose continuation will be assessed based on the experiences reported.

Adapted exercise counselling provides support to those whose physical activity requires personalised solutions due to, for example, an illness, disability or other impairment of functional capacity, and who do not get enough exercise to properly maintain their health.

The service is free of charge and its duration will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The service is intended for those aged 15 or over. The right to purchase a Special fitness wristband can be obtained free of charge through adapted exercise counselling, provided that the person belongs to the target group and commits to the offered adapted exercise counselling process.

The adapted exercise counselling pilot will begin at the same time as the guided exercise season on 12 January 2026. The Sports and Wellbeing Committee will decide whether to continue the pilot at the end of 2026.

Yes. Decisions concerning swimming or gym wristbands for special groups are valid for the period of validity specified at the time of the decision. The criteria and price of the Special fitness wristband will change effective 1 January 2026, but you will be able to purchase the wristband by a decision made earlier as long as the decision is valid. The next time you renew a benefit, you must present a certificate in accordance with the valid criteria for granting.

After the turn of the year, both the swimming and gym wristband will be issued with valid decisions.

The price is set based on the current prices.

The request for a statement on the matter was submitted to the Espoo Disability Council, Elderly Council, Youth Council, Equality Committee and the Advisory Board for Promotion of Integration. In addition, Espoo Sports and Exercise Services organised a workshop for Espoo-based associations at which, for example, representatives of disability organisations were able to share their thoughts on the wristband update and have a say on how it would be implemented.

The Sports and Wellbeing Committee decided on the update of the Special fitness wristband on 27 November 2025. At the same meeting, the Committee decided that a new Active wristband would be introduced at Espoo swimming pools and gyms at the turn of the year. The Active wristband can be purchased by persons belonging to groups eligible for discounted prices (students, unemployed persons, conscripts, pensioners, children 7–17 years of age) and who are able to use the wristband on, for example, weekdays and weekend evenings when there is more space available.

Special exercise and swimming wristbands

The criteria for granting wristbands for special groups will change from 1 January 2026

Special exercise wristband

Criteria for granting the Special exercise wristband

Special swimming wristband

Criteria for granting the Special swimming wristband

Swimming friend and gym friend

Asisstant code

Informal carers can use swimming pools and gyms free of charge

Information on the update

When will the update enter into force?

Where can I buy a Special fitness wristband?

Do the Special wristbands include a friend benefit or offer an assistant code?

What is adapted exercise counselling?

How will the processing of applications for swimming and gym wristbands for special groups change?

The decision to grant me a swimming or gym wristband for special groups is still valid after the turn of the year. Will I be able to buy a swimming or gym wristband on a previous decision, even though the update is in effect?

My valid decition is lost. What can I do?

Why were the criteria for granting a Special fitness wristband updated?

Who was consulted in the preparation of the update?