Check out all spinning reviews.
GOOD GYM - BUT OVERCROWDED!!!!!!!!!!
Extremely dissatisfied with this gym - I have been trying to get out of my contract here for over 3 months - membership took 33 days to respond to my request. Classes are great, but INCREDIBLY overcrowded... during peak times you will wait over 20min for a crosstrainer / treadmill. If you can attend this gym during the day, it's great, but if you work 9-5 I would not recommend this club to anyone.
I just read the review about Virgin Active Ealing and find it hard to believe the club was that bad I have recently joined back at the gym and thought I’d check it out as this is my local Virgin Active.
Firstly I was met in the restaurant with one of the staff who was really friendly sorry I forgot her name but a lovely young girl who seemed to know everything about the club. We sat down and had a coffee and talked about what I was looking for before she showed me around. The club has apparently just had a re-fit and looks really nice. The studios have funky pictures on the walls and the cycling studio has pictures of mountains on the wall. The Gym is well proportioned and has everything I need for my workout.
The club was easy to get to and if you drive you can park right outside the door although you do have to pay. My membership is really cheap at only £70 a month which is really affordable for me.
I would recommend this club to my friends and really like the friendly vibe.
Really good to have a gym so local. Its small and the fees aren't too expensive with a very good £125 for 90days to any class, any day, any time. Easy to just drop by if you live in West Hampstead and there is parking to be found near by. The staff are very friendly and make sessions enjoyable. Paula's Zumba class is excellent and has a wonderful atmosphere. I have increased my l fitness level twinfold since joining the gym.
i live locally so a good place to work out with a range of classes, yoga, spin etc, helpful staff and easy to get to although booking onto a class can be dificult.
lovely place fantastic facilities would definately go again .staff were very professional nothing was to much trouble made you feel at ease layout of the club was a bonus a really enjoyable experience
Fantastic new gym just over Battersea bridge. This gym looks like it cost a fortune as it is decked out with all the most modern equipment. At first it looks like a dedicated martial arts gym, and if you want to train at any level for Boxing, Judo, MMA, Muay Thai, BJJ or others you will get top notch coaching and guidance here, however it also runs spin classes, aerobics, yoga and many more mainstream fitness classes to suit all gym users at all levels. And as a member I can choose a different activity on any day depending on what I feel like doing - there are no hidden charges for any of the classes I have done so far.
While the gym looks like it is a modest size, the classes are structed so that you're never crowded and if you are using the weights or other equipment you are never impacted by the classes running elsewhere in the gym.
By far the biggest drawcard for this gym is the level of experience of the instructors running the classes. All instructors have competed at high levels, many at professional level of their disciplines and they are all technically astute as well as being personable and focused on getting the best out of the class and me as an individual. The training is rewarding and consistent and the atmosphere at the gym is friendly and positive.
If you are looking for a place to train and keep fit then Stars Gym is definetly the way forward.
The trainers and staff are very approachable, professional and friendly always willing to help, the facilities are top notch and well maintained and there is a range of clases suitable for all needs.
I highly recommend Stars Gym its a great place with a great atmosphere.
This gym is in a horrible shopping centre. Its quite small and squashed inside and does not look that clean. Saying that the classes I did were all very good and there was a range of machines to choose from. The staff were on the whole polite and helpful although there did not seem to be that many of them. There was also a good range of classes which were at times that were suitable for me. Overall I think this is quite a good basic gym but i would not pay the prices they are asking for.
I've just joined the Ealing gym but have previously been a member of the Acton one. The latter is much bigger and luxurious but the Ealing one is closer for me. They've just refurbed the changing rooms and they are fine but could do with a couple of private cubicles for when you need personal space. Actually I don't understand how women walk around starkers like they think they have fab bodies. Most of them who do that really don't and its quite off putting. That's an aside. What I really wanted to mention is the new spinning studio. Well, What a lovely room! 40 or so new bikes too! Great you may say until you actually try a spinning class. Apart from a serious lack of competant instructors (I'm sure I could do better and I'm not even trained), the sound quality in there is truly atrocious. The music gets so distorted by the lack of thought to acoustics that you end up with a headache at the end of the class. You can also only hear about 10% of what the instructor is saying (in quieter moments) as the output of the mic in competition with the tinny sounding music hurts your eyes due to the severe distortion! I I leant over to a guy next to me and said 'can you hear what he's saying?' He said 'not really'. So I know I'm not alone. I tried talking to the centre manager but for some very strange reason he is in denial! Even the spinning instructor totally agreed with me. What a terrible shame to spend so much money on a new room, new bikes and the myride cinematic experience and no tto give any proper thought to the sound the music system produces. Music is intrinsic to a good spinning class more so than to any other class based excercise. I have done RPM and spinning for a number of years (best place Holmes Place in Streatham and it has no fancy room) so I feel I'm qualified to speak. I have also heard that serious spinners are staying away from the Virgin experience. What a terrible missed opportunity. I hope someone higher up will read this and do something about it !!!!! For now, I'm going to have to miss spinning, a class I used to really love.
I had any kind of service and it's poor, cheap, always late or classes are cancelled, disgusting showers and swimming pool....I complained till I could now I'll get my membership cenceled. I rather be fat than catch a desease! People bring your money somewhere else!
Gym was pretty packed when i went because so many people had vouchers - meant the classes filled up really quickly. For me, there are not enough classes on in a week to make a membership worthwhile however if you just used the gym it would be great.
Great location, great friendly staff. I especially found Caroline's Yoga class amazing! She is great. also Zsuzi's spin class is hard core too. It's a small location but has everything. I would seriously think about becoming a member if more Yoga and Spin classes were on offer.
The gym is in an easy location and for the super price £5 for 5 exercise classes i would definately recommend. Gym is well equiped but can get busy and all exercise classes get booked up in advance so you need to lpan ahead.
First of all the guy on reception was pretty useless, he might have been new which is fair enough but he was a bit of a weirdo in the way he was communicating which just got annoying. The first class I tried was a spinning class which I have done numerous times before and found to be fun as well as a fantastic workout. This class was soooo boring I couldn't wait for it to finish! The instructor had such a monotone voice and kept repeating the same routine throughout the 45 minutes. I know that being on a bike you are limited with what you can do, but I've had instructors who get you pumped and motivated with what they say, set their class like you're in a race, but not this guy, he was just BORING with a capital B. To be honest it was so rubbish I didn't bother trying any other classes, it just put me off and I didn't want to waste my time. Wasn't hugely disappointed because to be fair it was a good offer even for one class, but I certainly wouldn't join that particular gym.
i am really happy i have found a gym with a creche. however this was not stated on the website. the ladies that own the creche are lovely and do so many activities with the children. and the price per hour is £4.50 which is good (considering the price of a nursery!) and then i saved my self £9 by booking a block session of 10 hours with a 2 month expiry date. BARGAIN!!! the staff within the gym are nice and extremely helpful and give you an excellent one to one session when being introduced to the gym. they have lots of classes on offer, (again in creche opening hours which is wicked) and a nice waiting area. the music played into la fitness is update and something for everybody. sadly the bar/cafe has gone but the staff said they hope it will re open, but this did not bother me as la fitness is next to cosco and the collenades where their is a food court. i am really happy with my membership so far and will keep you up to date with how its going.
Called in on way back form work on a free pass I got of their website. Staff very friendly, place was clean and decent buzz, joined since, really enjoying it
I have been a member here for two years and visit at least three times a week.. The facilities are fantastic. Very new and modern exercise equipment and plenty of it! You will never have to wait to use a machine, which is a problem I have experienced in other gyms. In the warmer months, you can swim in a lovely outdoor pool which is a real treat in London. Unfortunately, the front desk staff do not live up to the standard that you would expect I have found them to be quite rude and stand-offish at times, which really lets the gym down. It's also pretty pricey. I pay £90 per month, and that is without tennis, but I justify that by making the most of facilities and classes.
been member for more than 8 years i have never seen they spend any money on club refreb oh shower is cleaner in hostels
all good equipment not high tec but ok after all this is Holmes Place which just changed name
after hard work out in area with no air con for almost 3 month now you go to 1st floor steam and shower you cant get shower as it gose hot and cold all time you go to grand floor shower tiles are lose shower broken i have pesonaly spoken to sparky works there he told me i am just electrician i can not do all job this is holmes place come on maanager you need to do some thing
there is brand new gym will be open near by farringdon i can not wait for them to open so get away from this poorly manged club i have made lots of comment but the manager are always coming up with some thing the cafe area wooden floor was laied down when i moved to barbican flats at 1985 this need to be look at
I had a voucher for five classes at fitness first and it was very good value for money. The staff were friendly I enjoyed the classes and there was a good choice of different classes to chose from. After the classes I used the gym equipment plus, there was the sauna which I used also. If I had wanted to I could have stayed the whole day. The place is close to where I live so no problems in getting to the venue.
The classes are great I done the circuit and body pump class which I have never done before. The spin classes are great. The gym is clean.The Staff are welcoming and always available to assist.
The staff were really lovely and explained thoroughly all the facilities available to members. The classes really cater for all levels too and i liked the way you could do something high impact like spin and then go to a body balance class. Really great Gym if you are looking for the standard stuff...then this place is great.
I found it quite hard to find the venue but one of the fitness first staff from another venue accompagnied me to this club - therefore very satsified. The staff were great as were the classes. Weight gym very male dominated which always makes me feel uncomfortable. Personal Trainers relatively unfriendly but otherwise a good experience.
i loved the staff and the gym is very clean, the only down fall is the size of the gym for classes. All classes get very busy and unable to accommodate the number of people who want to do the class. Would definitely recommend fitness first to friends.
The Fitness First South Kensington is a bit dated and everything is a bit old. The staff really didn't know what was going on, she was adamant that I had to take the 5 days consecutively, until I showed her the voucher, and that happened to another girl too. Then the guys at the counter didn't know what to do with the voucher.
The facilities were good, and it was not too crowded. Changing room was rather smelly but it was quite a hot day and during lunch time. Would have been nice to chill out a bit more but given it was lunch time, things were rather rushed. The staff were ok, said they will send me details to follow up but I never got them.
Good as it was very close to where I work, the staff were really friendly and helpful, the instructors were good and answered any questions.Offered a good range of classes- would recommend
Really enjoyed the spinning session and the teacher was very encouraging... Shower facilities are great and changing room clean and also has good facilities such as hair dryer and safe lockers. I really want to join the gym to shed my baby weight but my only reservation is that it is a bit pricey considering there is only one fitness room and its not even that big really so you could end up in a packed class or might not be able to attend class even. Think the monthly membership should reflect in what the gym offers-has ie the size, number of fitness rooms etc.But other than that lovely experience and class.
I bought 5 classes for £5.00 so in terms of value I feel I got a bargain.
That said, I wouldn't be tempted to commit myself to a membership with Fitness First (Islington) for the following reasons; Whilst the staff are ok, they don't seem that interested in members; the spinning/RPM class teachers were great, although I couldn't hear a word they spoke and the body pump teacher turned up late and also couldn't be heard; the other members can be less than friendly - having not experienced teh body pump class before I clearly didn't know what equipment to use, cue lots of derisory glances my way. Why are women like that with other women???
Worth a try if you are looking to commit to twelve months and want to try it out first. Perhaps other branches are different.
A brilliant club overall - good facilities, and a great location just off the Strand near Charing Cross station. I went to the Body Pump class a few times at this club and the instructor was very good, encouraging and enthusiastic. The class was a nice crowd, mostly looked like regulars. A little full at times though I went to the popular after-work sessions.
I felt totally at ease her, though my heterosexual male friend mentioned that some guys might not feel comfortable with the checking out that goes on in the male changing room. Saying that, the staff and general buzz was really positive and we both felt very welcomed and at ease there.
I would recommend this place to a friend, I had a great time there!
I used to be a member of this club and have recently joined again. At first I thought the price per month was expensive but since leaving and trying other Gym's in the area i've realised what actual value for money I had with LA. Lynn sport the next closest (in offering) is £2 per month more for the same level of cover, ie gym, cardio, classes and swimming yet you have to travel to the pool as its not in the same location. Along with this Lynn sport allows people to pay as they use which on the face of things sounds good but when several unsavoury characters kept showing up I wanted the exclusivity of a private members facility. I'm so pleased I made the step to re-join and the staff comitment to my goals are second to non, like most things you get out what you put in and so long as you don't shy away from asking if you need advice or motivation then its readily available. I can't wait to get back in shape and hopefully meet new friends and enjoy my fitness routine once more.
Sparkly new gym! fantastic location nearby work! I signed up after my first class for full membership! Jade in membership is great and always asks how things are going and shows a real interest in you and your fitness goals.
The staff and trainers are fabulous! they give you real motivation! I haven't missed a week yet and have lost 7lbs in 7 weeks :)
Spinning on a Monday is a great workout, the Yoga class is intense but very good for toning and Body Pump is tough but fun!
really enjoyed the classes every one friendly and helpfull , would certainly think about joining the gym and classes, the offer was excelent value for money .I hope to be looking in to what offers are available so that i can join as soon as possible thanks . ruth .
The venue had a limited number of classes - one per day - and there was some talk of doing outdoor classes but none have transpired yet. Very small gym area with limited number of machines.
Really good customer service from the receptionists and the quality of instructors in the classes wereexcellent. Very clean and welcoming atmosphere. Especially enjoyed the spinning class and the circuits. Good location and facilities.
Got 5 sessions for £5. Done one session of spinning so far which was fantastic! Going back again next week.
Super Gym!!! Overall great experience. Different classes for different levels and insturctors are truly there to help you reach success. Positive encouragment and super happy staff at all times. Customer service is exceptional the moment you enter with cheerful greetings. Lora and Andrew, owners, are wonderful at making sure there facility is tip top shape. They are dedicated to customer satisfication. I didn't think I would be so dedicated to attend a gym till I entered this one. Thanks Pure Fx!!!
I thought this was a lovely club, nice location. Really great facilities and was very family friendly. Food was hot and lovely but expensive. Plenty to do. Will definately come along again. !!!!!!!!!
This is a tiny little health club that gets VERY crowded. The classes are over-subscribed and the creche is always full.
The membership consultant lied to us during our application. We signed up for a 12 month contract and repeatedly asked "Can we cancel this membership at ANY time?". The membership consultant repeated many times "YES, you can cancel at ANY time, as long as you give 3 months notice." This is NOT true. You can only cancel AFTER your first 12 months are up.
The contract conditions are not the main issue; I don't like being lied to.
AVOID this over-crowded nasty little club, they are just after your money.
Great place, I have really become addicted to it! Everyone is so friendly and the instructors are extremely professional -- I have tried all of them and they are all fantastic, they always make sure the excersise is right for you and that you are making the most of a workout. I would recommend this place to anyone who is serious about getting back in shape, my boyfriend wouldn't stop going on about how great my body looks now. I had massage at Absolute Pilates a couple of times as well, and it's also amazing and makes you feel like a new person. It is worth trying this place, especially considering that you get your first class for free.
I love sobell! They have great gym instructors, a lot of exercise classes, and monthly payment is cheaper than any other venue! I go there three times a week
I went to this facility after purchasing a Mobdeal and thoroughly enjoyed my time (well as enjoyable as a spinning and aerobics class can be!).
The teachers knew what they were doing and were very good at motivating people to continue moving and have a good time.
Great staff! Great equipment! And an all round good time.
Overall the facilities and equipment are first rate. My main problem with this gym is that it is much too crowded. You pretty much have to queue to use anything. The best equipment is worthless if you can't take advantage of it. Frankly I'd rather pay a few quid more and go to a gym where I can actually get a workout.
I had a trial here to get a feel for the place, and decide whether I would be joining here or LA fitness. FF wins hands down. As it was my first gym trial out of the two I was very nervous but the staff were lovely. And I was even offered a plan that fit in with me going to university in September, which was helpful. All open plan, coffee and cold drinks served on a platform alongside the gym, high ceilings, high energy music, good atmosphere. Also enjoyed the "quiet area" upstairs with a smaller selection of what is downstairs, which gives more privacy. The changing rooms/toilets/showers I could not fault, very clean and pleasant. Particularly like the locker system, where you swipe your membership card to lock/unlock your locker electronically, very secure feel to it.
Spinning class- I nearly died!! But Sharon, the lady doing the class was very supportive and encouraging. Motivational music and disco lights! Brill. Met a few other members of staff in the class who were lovely. Really warm friendly atmosphere, pretty sure I could make a few friends there.
Negatives- no pool, shame really. I'm not a big swimmer but it's nice to relax sometimes. They do have a steam/sauna room but I haven't had a chance to go in- not sure I will, really. A sauna/steamroom without a pool seems a bit silly to me, but then again that might just be me.
i have been a member at this gym for more than a year and at first i thought that it was ok.. however over time i came to realise that this gym is only money grabbing. they do not care about their customers. the staff are pushy, the management is rude. the coax you into buying a membership and treatment and if your not happy with what you've got they ignore you and refuse to compromise. they treat you indispensible. if the facilities where better then i wouldnt complain but the changing rooms smell, the showers tend to be unclean and gymnasim itself is cramped. i would not go back to another and id advise anyone who wants to join a gym to not goto this one.
I don't think TopNotch was top notch. Apart from the pilates instructor none of them were that interested in new members, there were not that many in the class so it was obvious if there were new people in the class. Again apart from the pilates teacher I got the strong impression the instructors saw the class as a way to top up on their fitness rather than focusing on the customer.
Petty competitive women in the changing rooms.
The gym is basic but had everything you need. The staff are very nice and helpful and the classes I attended were very good. There are only a few TV's and no radio facilities to listen to while training which I missed as I like some distraction. There is also squash court which are free for members to hire. Overall a good community gym with friendly staff and members.
The health club was a perfect location for me whilst staying in Birmingham. The facilities are 'topnotch' and the staff really made me feel comfortable even though they knew I wouldn't register as I am not often in Birmingham.
Absolute Pilates Plus is a fantastic concept. It is that boutique gym that we have all been seeking. The reformer pilates classes are amazing! Not to mention that you can use your credits for Boxercise, Spinning, Massages and much more.....With a simple pay as you go system there is no commitment to pay a monthly fee.
Greta atmosphere, fabulous trainers....and beautiful studio space.
I highly recommend Absolute Pilates!
I have trained in Gyms and also used beauty therapists for many years. However, the staff and facilities at Virgin Regents Park are second to none. I work shifts, sometimes this can be difficult to arrange appointments. All the staff from the Front Desk to Steffi, the health spa manager certainly give you the personal touch.
The Gym and changing area is spotless, the equipment is up good, with FRIENDLY staff on hand to help.
Whether you are the body beautiful or it's your first time walking into a gym. You are treated with a friendly, professional member of staff.
I would throughly recommend this Gym. The Beauty Spa is Fantastic!!!!
I've been a member since February 2010 and try and attend 2-3 times a week. I've been to the majority of classes, the gym and the pool area. You can use any Virgin gym with your membership card so good for if you travel or work near another gym.
Classes
Would definitely say this is the best part. The variety of classes is great and all the instructors I have had are great, especially Claire and Dennis in Spining, they certainly work you hard! But you don't even realise the time, it really does fly by. You have to book in for classes the day before which I personally think works great as it means the classes don't get booked up by people who book and then forget to attend. They also operate a standby system if the class is booked up. One tiny moan is the air con, it's just not powerfull enough in the spin room or studio!
Gym
Average size for a London gym. You do have to queue for the cardio equipment in busy times which can get frustrating. It also has 2 powerplate machines which are free to use and when I first used them a member of staff spent about 20 mins with me going through various exercises which was very useful.
Pool are
Again average size pool for a London gym and it's never been overcrowded when I've used it. There is also a jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms which is a nice added extra. Oh and free towels which is a big bonus!
Overall, a good gym with lots of facilities and worth a look around.
the service at the salon within the gym is appalling! every time i go there, they've adjusted the opening times ! its totally exasperating and so unprofessional!
This is my usual gym, it has a good variety of classes and the staff are usally very friendly and helpful. I'm not a big fan of the split level design meaning that the receiption is on the first floor along with all the cardio equipment, the second floor consists of the changing rooms and the weight machines and studio are based on the third floor. The only things which I find very disappointing is the fact that there is only a tiny area for stretching and hand weights which is very inappopriate.
Although Kingsdown looks old from the outside, the facilities and staff inside are top rate. I did a class called CubaTone, it was great fun and I really felt I had done a work out. As for the gym the membership it is reasonable and everything is included so took advantage of the sauna. Staff seem really friendly and quailfied to take you for personal training sessions, so I will take a look at in the future. I would recommend you take a look and do a class and make your mind up for yourself.
This was my first spinning class ever so I was more than a little intimidated... But, I loved it! The studio is great, the music was awesome and I really liked the teacher. I will be going back! And, they just opened a new yoga studio and are doing pilates-spin-yoga combo classes which is very cool.
I went to the Celia's spin class on a Monday night with a friend of mine. It's always a good idea to arrive a bit earlier to make sure you have enough time to adjust your seat and get ready.
After a hard day's work it's quite hard to drag yourself to the gym, especially for a class as demanding as spin is. With this in mind, Celia did a fantastic job of waking everybody up with her enthusiasm and encouragement. She made sure that everyone's seat was at the correct height for them and came round to check individuals progress during the class.
The music kept energy levels up, especially at the 15 minute mark when you feel like you're going to fall of the bike with exhaustion. I found that once I was half way through the class, I really started to enjoy it and could have continued when the class was finished after 45 minutes. The only minor complaint I would have is that although the music was brilliant and encouraged everybody to keep their pace up, it was a struggle to hear what gear you should be on. I will definitely be doing this class again.
Ludlow Fitness is great for the price and one of the few full-service gyms in the lower east side. I usually use the machines and weights--they have all the standard equipment (e.g. ellipticals, bikes, stairmasters, treadmills, free weights, weight machines). Occasionally I'll try the classes, too. I've been to both Spinning and Pilates classes and I was happy with both.
The facilities are fine, although the locker rooms leave something to be desired. They are pretty small and there isn't much locker space.
I regularly do spinning and pilates here at fitness first in shepherds bush. The reason i chose this gym was because it was the best value in the area for a person like me who wants to do a few classes in a week. The place is looking a little tired but it has everything you need except a pool and is fairly clean.
The spin class is great and just what you would expect, a sweat fest. The instructor did his job made sure we were all correctly positioned on our bikes and provided plenty of motivation.
I am getting used to the pilates class here. The instructor is male and i don't know if this always applies as i have only worked with one other male pilates instructor but i have found that male instructors tend to work at a higher speed than the female ones that i have worked with. Its not a bad thing but i wouldn't want to be doing his class if i was a beginner. Having said that he does a good job of explaining every move thoroughly and does a bit of individual checking during the class. So overall i am happy with the class and will stick with it.
I went along to Virgin Active as part of a free open day and tried their spinning class. Having done spinning before, I was a little nervous as I found it incredibly difficult the first time. As part of the open day we were shown around the facilities, which were really impressive, with huge clean changing rooms, complimentary towels, a state of the art gym and studios where the group cycling takes place. The staff were all lovely and very helpful.
The class was full on this lunchtime that we visited and is clearly very popular. The teacher was at the front, giving encouragement and directions throughout. The room was nice and cool although you still get incredibly hot and sweaty, as is the nature of spinning! I thought that the trainer was great as she kept it varied, did a mix of 'sprints' and steady hill climbs, as well as a mix of standing and sitting on the saddle. The bikes were better than the gym I'd tried previously, and she helped us set it up so that we were at the correct height.
From start to finish the experience was professional and, surprisingly, enjoyable and made me want to go again. My only problem with the gym is their rates as the memberships are pretty expensive, which is a shame as it's only a five minute walk from my work and would be perfect for me. However if you're a gym bunny and you'll stick to it then it's well worth the pennies as it's a great gym, with great staff and a huge selection of classes.
Me and a couple of the girls at work went to a free spinning class after work one evening. When we got there, we were given a health form to fill in, shown around and then directed towards the changing room to get our fitness gear on.
We were about five minutes late to the class but the instructor was nice about it since we were new to the class. There was roughly around 20 people in the class, the music was blaring out and the room was almost in total darkness - why they switched off the light, I don't know but I preffered it, at least in the dark no one could see you sweat.
We jumped on our bicycle and we were shown how to adjust our seats and off we went. We did a mixture of fast spinning, spinning up a hill by putting up the gears and slow spins to catch our breath back. It was really strenuous and the instructor was quite hard on us but I guess that's a good thing. In fact, she caught me a couple of times trying to sneakily put my gear on the lowest mode but made me put it up again.
Overall, although it was hard work, I really enjoyed the class and if it wasn't so expensive to join I think I would be going to the spinning class at least once a week. It's just a shame it's super expensive... Oh well!!!
