I recently became so ill that I nearly died in hospital. When I was out of danger and back home, the GP said that the best thing I could do was to join a gym and get rid of the weight. I am 5ft 9, and was just over 20 stone.
He said it would feel like fighting Goliath, but persistence and determination would prevail.
I wanted to try and enjoy my forthcoming ordeal, so without any doubt or hesitation, made an appointment to view the club in Brighton Marina Village, as I already had heard of the company's reputation, and I wanted the best.
Brighton Marina is located approximately a mile east of the famous pier, and offers pubs, clubs, restaurants, bars, bowling, cinemas, clothes and fashion shops, retail outlets, and of course, the marina itself. It is a lively, colourful, and prestigous location, and the David Lloyd leisure club is located next to a casino!
It really is in an absolutely superb location, visited by people from all over the world. There is plenty of free parking.
After six months of membership, members may use any David Lloyd club ( and there are many of them countrywide ), so a visit could be included on a day trip to Brighton!
My first impression upon entering the club was encouraging, and then the lovely Emma gave me a tour of the facilities, which I believe are second to none, and then she sat me down, and we talked for two and a half hours!
Emma was very encouraging, and I told her that I was very aware of my appearance, and felt a bit out of place. She assured my that there were members much larger than me, and instead of being stared at, were respected for the huge amount of commitment they showed, and I have found this to be very true.
My biggest stipulation was that I wanted swimming to form the biggest part of my exercise, and as soon as I saw they pool, I wanted to join.
Even though Emma had ''made the sale'', she still had the time to answer all of my questions, and to set some goals. I think that she looked on me as a challenge.
The Facilities...... ___________________________
The 25m indoor pool is just over a metre deep, and beautifully maintained. Unlike public pools, the chemical balance seems quite low, and I have never seen anybody leave the water with stinging eyes. Children are not allowed to swim at certain times of the day, and must leave the club by 20.00 hrs.
At poolside, there is also a sauna, a steamroom, a heated spa pool, and a toddler pool.
Swimming lessons may be booked at a small additional cost.
Upstairs, in the actual gymnasium, is where the challenge really starts. It is spacious, bright, and air-conditioned, with a huge one way glass wall running a whole length of the room, offering views over the beach and entrance to Brighton marina. I couldnt really imagine a nicer place to work out.
The equipment is modern and plentiful. I use the cardio vascular stuff the most- upright and recumbant exercise bikes, cross-trainers, stair climbers, rowing machines, and other instruments of torture, which make me lose pounds just by looking at them.....
These machines have built in access to the multi channel tv cable system, but you need your own headphones.
I was taught how to use the equipment properly on my first visit after enrollment, ( induction ), and the qualified and friendly staff are always on hand for advice.
The weight training area is huge, and looks like a scene out a science fiction film. I dont use this area yet.
The real meat factory covers a substantial area too- the free weights section. This is the old fashioned grunting and groaning part, and my wife thinks that this is where I am sculpting an Adonis like figure- but after some crystal ball gazing and rhune chucking, the mum in law has put her straight!
There is an area with a huge rubber mat for floor exercises, and there are several ice-cold water fountains to drink from for free. Many members top their own bottles up from these, to save money!
Paper roll is also provided for those sweaty foreheads etc, and if you forget your towel, they can hire them to you for a pound.
There are several classes available, karate, dancing, aerobics etc at additional cost, I think they average three to four pounds.
The showers and toilets are currently being refurbished, and should be finished by the end of August.
Another nice touch is the free shower gel in the cubicles- it smells of coconut, and reminds me of the sun tan lotion on foreign holidays. Which reminds me why I am there in the first place- I want to go to the beach without being harpooned, or rescued by Greenpeace..... --------------------------------------------------- Additional benefits ----------------------------------------------------
Seeing a change in me, my wife wanted to join as well, so a month ago, I upgraded my membership. It now costs 116pcm for a family membership, and by upgrading, I won a free hair cut and set, with a massage. As the only thing they could do to my head is polish it, I gave it to wifey!
We now go to the club as a family, and it has helped us spend some quality time together.
When I went back to work 3 months ago, in London, the club rang me and asked why I had lowered my visits each week ( your entry is logged with a swipe card every visit ), and after explaining that I was working away, the membership manager granted me full access to another DL club in Surrey, free of charge. They really do try and help, and provide a fantastic service.
You may have noticed that I call it a club, not a gym. This is because if you are lucky enough to be slim and healthy, you can just relax in the luxurious upstairs clubroom. I think that the snacks and drinks are hugely overpriced, but you don't have to buy them.
The view overlooks the beach, westwards, towards the pier, and the sunsets are often stunningly beautiful. You can relax in the massive leather sofas and chairs, read, watch the huge TV that is usuallly tuned to sports or the news ( low volume), or use one of the four free internet access terminals, but you cant download naughty things with them ( not that I've tried, my teenage daughter told me! )
There is a small, unsupervised creche area, where my six year old daughter can watch DVDs, play on one of the two playstations, read, draw, or play board games. The kids always look forward to going there, and once there, we rarely spend any money.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Access and Parking '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
The club is situated in the south west corner of the Marina Village Complex, and parking is free in the huge multi storey.
The nearest station is Brighton, and you can get a bus, but I dont know the route number, the club will tell you if you contact them.
There are good facilities for locking up a pedal cycle right ouside the main entrance to the club, I think if you tie your horse there though, it could end up in a Mc burger, which is only a few metres away........
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' Miscellanious information '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
The club is open from 06.00 until 23.00 Monday to Thursday
Closes 30 minutes earlier Friday and Saturday, 1 hour earlier on Sunday.
It is easy to join, payment is monthly by direct debit.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' And Finally...................................................... ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
David Lloyd at Brighton, thanks to the fantastic, dedicated and enthusiastic staff, has changed my life. I have lost nearly a stone since joining, and am confident that I am on the right track to long and healthy life.
I could have gone anywhere, but I firmly believe that I would not be enjoying what I expected to be an ordeal. Big as it may be, I get personal attention when I need it, and my self confidence has improved enormously, along with my health.
David WILL defeat Goliath. If you visit the club, look out for me. I am the fat bloke carrying a huge rock in a sling............
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------You can contact the club through the website, just type davidlloydleisure into your browser. Once a member, this site will offer you exclusive benefits and discounts.
Thank you for reading. It means a lot, believe me.
More details
Price
116 GBP pcm for a family
Size
Very Big
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