David Lloyd Clubs, Cardiff

...nice family rooms like other David lloyd gyms that I have visited in the past. It just means that you have to chase mobile young children around while getting dressed. Plus i have found some areas are a bit worn, just not as well maintained as you would expect for the money.

The indoor pool is ok but too deep for little ones. The childrens' pool is exceedingly cold and so my children have been blue after a very short time in there. The ...
...to go in.

There are a good range of classes advertised, some are better than others, a bit hit and miss. Plus the timetable may be changed,I wouldn't bank on your favourite class at the time you want it, even if it is in the brochure when you sign up.

The gym has a good range of equipment, again popular items get busy at peak times. The fitness instructors can be helpful, if you have a good induction session.

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I am not quite sure what this gym is trying to be, but it isn't succeeding whatever it is.

Firstly the price, its expensive
The joining fee is (or was when I joined) £100 for an individual membership
£75 each for a couple unless you have a corporate deal.

For basic gym membership ( which includes classes ) it is, or was £68.50 per month for an individual on peak membership, and £59 per month each for an on peak couple. Off peak it is £58 for an off peak individual and £53 each for a couple per month.

For racquets the price is higher £84 for an on peak individual and £68 each per month for a couple. Off peak and memberships for the 60+ are a little less.

Kids, they charge £7.50 per month for children aged 2-5 and £22 for children aged 6-17.
The childrens' fee did include creche a 2 hour session every day for 2 year olds but after Christmas 08 they removed the sessions ( a "change of timetable"), but kept charging the fees! I was quite surprised when reception staff looked me in the eye and said, but they can still use the pool?!. So to use the gym, I, and all the other parents were offered sessions at the Cardiff Day Nursery at a cost of over £9 for a full 2 hour session.

So for the services, if you want something from the gym, get it in writing. Don't rely in any way on what the sales staff tell you unless it is written down. Memberships are for about 12 months but after I signed, I felt they were very different, I certainly did not feel like a consumer being well looked after for my payments. Please also note that the contract states that they can " change the timetable" at any time, which I have found that they have seemed to use as a blanket term for anything that they do (or remove).

Parking can be ok but at peak times it gets very crowded. If there is a big eg Nov 5th fireworks night event on there I would walk or take the bus as parking is impossible.

The changing rooms are ok they are very open plan and they don't seem to have nice family rooms like other David lloyd gyms that I have visited in the past. It just means that you have to chase mobile young children around while getting dressed. Plus i have found some areas are a bit worn, just not as well maintained as you would expect for the money.

The indoor pool is ok but too deep for little ones. The childrens' pool is exceedingly cold and so my children have been blue after a very short time in there. The outdoor pool is heated but I have never been inspired to go in.

There are a good range of classes advertised, some are better than others, a bit hit and miss. Plus the timetable may be changed,I wouldn't bank on your favourite class at the time you want it, even if it is in the brochure when you sign up.

The gym has a good range of equipment, again popular items get busy at peak times. The fitness instructors can be helpful, if you have a good induction session.

The bar area has a childrens soft play area for 7 and under , in my opinion, it is tiny, and doesn't appear to be well maintained or all that clean. There was a video player in the corner, but on the times I went it was often not working. The coffee is nice and the food seems healthy, in the bar area but I am sure there are better places to eat for the price.

I would have loved to have said that this was a great place to be, but in all honesty I can't.

 

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