Recommend me a Gym in Bristol?

[Piglet]

I've lost track of all of the new gyms that have appeared in the last couple of years.

I live in Henleaze, work and park near to Temple Meads - ideally I'd like to go somewhere in the morning so that I come into town early. I think that probably leaves me with Welshback?

If I go for evenings, I guess I've got more choice - does anyone go to the new place at Southmead (I'm sure they call it Westbury!), I don't know what chain it is.

Any other thoughts?

(PS don't suggest I just run on the Downs, I've got dodgy ligaments in my foot and can't run on grass in the dark!)

Cheers

[carreauchompeur]

Bit avantgarde maybe, but what about Bannatynes off Redland Road, junction with Zetland Road? It's near-enough slap bang in the middle of your route, and it's an easy drive to TM from there. The natural route down. Simples!

I gather they have a pool, sauna, etc... GF is there 5 mornings a week doing the silly classes.

[Yertis]

Bannatynes is well located but parking at peak hours can get a bit difficult, one of the reasons I left.

I'm looking for a new gym at the moment, I think I'll end up at David Lloyd.

[neil_bolton]

I'm with the Council Gyms - they're bloody well equipped and very cheap.

Really, they are worth a try.

Search on t' Bristol Council Web - you can get a Citywide membership that allows you to use any of the gyms in Bristol - and there are a few.

[LordGrover]

You're in luck - you're nowhere near a Fitness First.

Typically unclean, busy, 'background' music at 11+, broken equipment, etc.

[_dobbo_]

Fitness First sounds exactly like my gym - but at £30 a month I'm not complaining.

[Foundy]

Piglet said:

If I go for evenings, I guess I've got more choice - does anyone go to the new place at Southmead (I'm sure they call it Westbury!), I don't know what chain it is.

It's now called David Lloyd, used to be Next Generation and to be fair it's meant to be good (our company sponsor it and a lot of our employees go there)

I can't offer any personal experience as I still use the "Fitness First with broken machinery" as it's close to home, but my colleagues recommend it though I think it may be expensive for Southmead.... and it is Southmead don't care what anybody says!!!!!

[Slagathore]

Haha.

The David Lloyd gym is definitely in southmead. Sounds a bit more appealing if they say westbury...Haha

I guess they'll do anything to try and justify the prices. I was paying £72 a month for my membership, got a bit cheaper now, though. You can get cheaper rates for partner's memberships and family memberships.

Still, for me, it's definitely worth it.

I tried fitness first up cribbs. The only word I can think to describe it was horrible. Like being in a third world country compared to David Lloyd.

You can probably get a guest pass if you tell them you're thinking about joining. Or just pm me if you want one. I should have some lying about, if not I can get some next time I go.

[miniman]

Lots of people at work use Welsh Back (it's on, well, Welsh Back) - we get a corporate rate.

A few people are really pleased with Fitness4less - www.fitness4less.org/

[Piglet]

Cheers all. I think I might take a wander to Ballantynes and have a look around, turns out a couple of my work colleagues go there. Apparently around £56 a month and opens at 7am and the parking seems to be OK in the mornings. David Lloyd sounds a bit pricey for me given the time I'm likely to spend there.

I might just give up and go to Welshback, it's not flash but at least it's cheap £25 a month off peak and it's close to the office.

I guess the problem is that I don't really want to get off my arse and do anything!

[anonymous-user]

i use the south glos council "everyone active" gym in henbury, its nice and quiet, has good staff, good startrac/concept2 eqpt and a good "no posing" atmosphere. no idea what the bristol city council gyms are like though i cant see them being much different. its about £40 per month.

an alternative could be the bristol uni swimming pool and health/fitness centre...

[neil_bolton]

pablo said:

i use the south glos council "everyone active" gym in henbury, its nice and quiet, has good staff, good startrac/concept2 eqpt and a good "no posing" atmosphere. no idea what the bristol city council gyms are like though i cant see them being much different. its about £40 per month.

an alternative could be the bristol uni swimming pool and health/fitness centre...

They're the same thing - you can use any of the Bristol gyms that are part of the Everyone Active scheme - I often use Henbury as I work over that way...

[pdV6]

neil_bolton said:

pablo said:

i use the south glos council "everyone active" gym in henbury, its nice and quiet, has good staff, good startrac/concept2 eqpt and a good "no posing" atmosphere. no idea what the bristol city council gyms are like though i cant see them being much different. its about £40 per month.

an alternative could be the bristol uni swimming pool and health/fitness centre...

They're the same thing - you can use any of the Bristol gyms that are part of the Everyone Active scheme - I often use Henbury as I work over that way...

The council gyms are surprisingly good, the new Henbury one particularly.

The David Lloyd in WestburySouthmead is lovely, but as with all DL places, you have to pay a bundle for the pleasure.