Gym memberships appeal to two groups of people - those who want to impress others with their affluence and those who are desperate to improve fitness.
I am in the latter, and reckon it is good value.
Why ?
Lloyd's in Belfast is in a great location, close to the Dundonald Ice Bowl, and ... Read review
Advantages: Easily accessible, good facilities and nice staff Disadvantages: Cost - unless you use it well
Gym memberships appeal to two groups of people - those who want to impress others with their affluence and those who are desperate to improve fitness.
I am in the latter, and reckon it is good value.
Why ?
Lloyd's in Belfast is in a great location, close to the Dundonald Ice Bowl, and on a nice green field site.
It has pleasant outlooks and plenty of parking room - which is a secure, card-operated facility. ...welcome members into the inner sanctuary of raquet courts, pools and gym.
Racquets courts - if you are for tennis after all, the courts are vast indoor areas as well as some outdoor courts, plus squash, badminton and table-tennis facilities.
Swimming facilities include a large indoor pool, a smaller, heated outdoor pool, spa, sauna and steam room, all accessible from the changing rooms which are used for the rest of ... more
Gym memberships appeal to two groups of people - those who want to impress others with their affluence and those who are desperate to improve fitness.
I am in the latter, and reckon it is good value. Why ?
Lloyd's in Belfast is in a great location, close to the Dundonald Ice Bowl, and on a nice green field site. It has pleasant outlooks and plenty of parking room - which is a secure, card-operated facility.
Inside, the spacious entrance area and turnstiles welcome members into the inner sanctuary of raquet courts, pools and gym.
Racquets courts - if you are for tennis after all, the courts are vast indoor areas as well as some outdoor courts, plus squash, badminton and table-tennis facilities.
Swimming facilities include a large indoor pool, a smaller, heated outdoor pool, spa, sauna and steam room, all accessible from the changing rooms which are used for the rest of the facilities. ( I have been in other clubs where that is not the case, and it is a pain having to move all your gear to a different changing room if you use gym first, and pool afterwards ! )
Gym facilities are vast - cycles, crosstrainers, treadmills, free weights, other resistence machines, punch bag, dance studio and more.
Trainers and personal assistants are always on hand, and are friendly, knowledgable and helpful - although their cheeriness gets pressurised when it is their turn to mop down the machines in the morning!!
The restaurant area can be accessed by non-members too, and has TV, Internet, and newspapers as well as drinks and eats. And the eats are graded for healthy eating purposes too.!
Lockers are operated by £1 coins rather than membership cards - the cards are my preferred option - I have forgotten my £1 too often, early in the morning.
I have lost weight, gained fitness and made a few 'friends' in the process :- for these purposes, a friend is someone who smiles and grunts a quiet 'hi' at 7.30 in the morning.!
And, so finally to costs.!
If money is no object and you are out to impress, then go for a full family membership for the next 10 years - £10,000 will cover that nicely.!
At my end of the scale, it is nearer to the £500 per annum for an off-peak, non-racquets, personal membership. If used once a week, that is a very dear way to raise a sweat followed by a shower.! Used 5 days a week, it is reasonable value, great fun and a great way to start the day.!
