Choosing a Gym

There is a new gym called "The Gym" due to open in September under the Travelodge on Waterloo Road.

If you join before it opens (as I have) it is only £10.99 a month - bargain. And it is going to be open 24/7

I'll let you know what it's like once it opens.

Soho Gyms in Borough is very good. It's clean, great equipment, rarely gets too busy. Really can't fault it in any way.
I briefly moved to Fitness4Less, but it's £14.99 a month for a reason. I lasted 2 months before I went back to Soho Borough. Fitness4Less gets packed, and I mean packed at peak times. And because it's cheap it attracts younger people who haven't learnt how to put their weights back when they've finished. The machines are also wobbly and cheap. And there are literally no mirrors in there apart from a small line of them in the free wights area. So you have this big area with mats to stretch and train abs and there's literally no mirrors, just brick walls. A water fountain would have been nice as well! It's useable, don't get me wrong, but it just doesn't compare to better gyms.

James_2300 wrote:

Soho Gyms in Borough is very good. It's clean, great equipment, rarely gets too busy. Really can't fault it in any way.
I briefly moved to Fitness4Less, but it's £14.99 a month for a reason. I lasted 2 months before I went back to Soho Borough. Fitness4Less gets packed, and I mean packed at peak times. And because it's cheap it attracts younger people who haven't learnt how to put their weights back when they've finished. The machines are also wobbly and cheap. And there are literally no mirrors in there apart from a small line of them in the free wights area. So you have this big area with mats to stretch and train abs and there's literally no mirrors, just brick walls. A water fountain would have been nice as well! It's useable, don't get me wrong, but it just doesn't compare to better gyms.

I'd agree with that. I've been a member for over a year but I only really go for the classes during the week, and at weekends to use the free weights as it is close to impossible to get what you want otherwise. Hunting for weights that haven't been put back is a pain as well.

It is only the price that keeps me going, but I know I'm not working out anywhere nearly as effectively as I used to when I used to use Fitness First over in Victoria so I've thought about switching to Soho numerous times.

I use Soho. The equipment is good but the music they play is too loud!

I'm a member of Nuffield Health on Cousin Lane on the wrong side of the river. Not quite SE1 but close enough depending on where you live.

It's by far the best gym I've been to, especially if you like classes. It is largely frequented by city boys however so not the cheapest option.

rawrimadinosaur wrote:

I live at the end of Tooley st near the design museum. Borough square is too far away I think :-/

The Beormund Community Centre is close to you (corner of Abbey & Druid Streets) and has a gym. As a council gym, it is very cheap. Not a member so I don't know about facilities, but as it is so close to where you live, it might be worth exploring.
http://www.beormund.co.uk/

As promised above, just an update on TheGym on Baron's Place, under the Travelodge.

I've been three times now and I have to say I'm impressed. Possibly slightly bigger than Fitness4Less and certainly has more natural light.

Good range of equipment, machines etc.

They are also having an open day this Sunday if you are interested.

Soho - Empire Square is great. One of the few gyms in London where staff are very friendly, professional and the general state of the gym is always clean and fresh.

And the loudness of the music has never really bothered me. Again Soho Gyms staff and its overall cleanliness are its best features ... Along with Jenne's Saturday morning spin classes !

I must add that I cannot praise Soho gyms enough: such a good, professional and customer friendly gym. Not just Borough, but also the one in Waterloo is excellent.

By far the best value gym in London.