A while back I gave notice to the gym that I was quitting and yesterday was the last visit, hence my review. The reason for quitting is simply a result of my hand injury and I’ve hardly been in the last few months. In previous years I have put my membership on hold for the summer months, which I could have done this time but decided I could save some money instead.
- Would I re-join? Maybe, probably. Next time, I would check out their competition more thoroughly and maintain the balance right between cost and quality
- Value for Money? Yes providing you make the most of what’s on offer.
- Is it any good? Yes I reckon, definitely but I have no experience of other gyms
- Any draw backs? Yes but probably not too serious
- In the gym there is a really good selection of machines including muscle building, cardio etc. Also “Easy Line” equipment which I think is for less able people , or just starting out
- The staff are trying hard to develop the business (most of them)
- Equipment appears well maintained but not perfect
- Normally fairly clean
- They seek feedback and seem to act on it
- Most staff are friendly
- Climate level is about right
- Steam room is a nice feature
- First Aid response – once I witnessed the alarm going off as someone had had a mishap in the pool area. There was an announcement over the tanoy system and all the staff responded at high speed. Reassuring.
- Good selection of classes (which I regret I haven’t tried)
- Good opening times
- Good fitness plan and reviews (changed since I joined)
- Pool and especially the steam room
- Some people find it a very sociable environment as friends go together and enjoy training together. I don’t operate like that…. I go there, do my stuff and go. I like being an anonymous face if I want to be like that
- Sometimes it gets really crowded (especially Monday & Tuesday evenings)
- Public service discount not mentioned when I joined – I found out by chance later on. Could have saved quite a lot of money
- Bad behaviour of some customers, bad language, aggressive atmosphere in men’s changing room sometimes
- Mobile phones still get used in changing room, despite the prohibiting notice
- Loud music which is mostly the same dribble. Sometimes it’s so loud, I have to turn my own ipod up so loud I fear ear drum damage
- Trainer role is unclear having changed
- Not always very clean in the showers and changing rooms towards the end of a day
- The shower gel provided sometimes runs out
- Signs of wear and tear not fixed quickly enough – blown light bulbs, broken locker keyrings, some gym machines
Other observations
- DW Sports were very important in facilitating my progress but I only realise that now
- You can only get something worthwhile out of a fitness club like DW Sports if you’re prepared to put the hours in. For someone who has enough time, maybe 10-20 hours a week, I reckon you could make some serious progress in 6 months to shift that surplus weight and transform yourself. Ignore any niggles there (better still, report them), rise above them and just concentrate on getting fit, burning away those calories and flab. Don’t let any niggles be an excuse not to go and get fit!
- I regret not making the most of the facilities – especially the classes which are free once membership is paid
- I might re-join in the winter (instead of running and cycling on cold, dark, icy roads)
Disclaimer
These are just my views as an (ex) customer. I’m not a qualified fitness instructor and it’s just based on my experience. If you’re reading this and want to get fit, it is for you to decide how best to go about this but I recommend taking proper advice as I did. For some, it might be wise to talk to your Doctor first.
Extra – 29th August 2011 I just wanted to add I have on a couple of occasions tried to get a response from DW Sports about this blog post – just to make sure it is factually correct and to help me avoid misleading anyone. They have not responded which I think is a poor show and disappointing.
I know that fitness is fitness but to me there is somthing artificial about gyms.
I do all my exersise outdoors, rain or shine…also no Walkmans, i-pods or whatever. I need to be attuned to the sounds and sights around me.
However, each to their own.
Oh,by-the-way, nice to have found your blog again,Doug. I was thinking that perhaps someone had upset you and you had pulled the blog!
Hi there,
Many thanks for finding my blog again, I’ve missed your comments. I needed to change the blog name quickly as it conflicted with another person’s blog which had been around longer.
You’re right about “fitness is fitness”. I see gyms as a means to an end. I might go back in the winter if running and cycling proves difficult. Having said that, nothing beats a run out into the countryside at 5am at this time of year (apart from a 4am run!).
Thanks again.
Doug.
Whether you are a fan or an athlete, the most vital and comprehensive knowledge about any type of sports can only be clearly understood through the best sports books written either by the champion athlete or a veteran coach. They are the most reliable persons because they have experienced the best and worst of the games and the ins and outs of every game
Sport Supplies i really like this. thank you…..
Thanks Emelyn – an excellent point.
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Many thanks!
Where are your contact details though?
My blog post : customer care