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.!
Anyone for tennis, then?
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