My girlfriend and I decided that we would stop buying the odd piece of gym eqipment, only to have it sit around in the house for a while and then be consigned to the garage, and instead join a fitness centre. Our reasons were twofold: firstly we wanted to trim down and tone up for our holiday in September; secondly we wanted to have somewhere we could go to relax and enjoy eachothers company. As we have many friends who are members of various David Lloyds, we decided that the Enfield branch would be our best bet, as we were told it provided good exercise facilities and some nice ways in which we could destress after a hard day at work.
Joining fee is pretty steep, a whopping £200 (on discount!!!!) joining fee, and then £90 per month to use all facilities other than the tennis courts. Our membership is known as Health and Fitness, as we are entitled to used everything except the courts. Those who can play tennis are called full members. This is a bit snobbish, in my opinion, as it gives the impression that there are two distincts sects within the club. We all use the same facilities except some can use the tennis courts. I was worried that this kind of snobbishness would go on, and decided to give it a month, and if I didn't like it, I could give them their six months notice and get out of the contract.
After one month, I can honestly say I am thrilled to be a member. The facilities are very good. The gym is very well equipped, and never packed out so much as you cannot find your exercise machines to use. The great thing about the gym is that every member is given a personal induction, where trained members of staff give you a test session, in which they draw up a fitness schedule for you. I was very wary of this, as I am not the fittest person in the world, but my trainer was very helpful, very understanding, and also created a programme which I have stuckto and increasingly enjoy. The gym is well laid out, with nice decor and is a lovely place to exercise - with many tvs dotted around and constant 'energy music' to keep you going to a fast beat. Unlike many other fitness centres (including other David Lloyds) the gym is not full of posers, nor do you have to be Bizzie Lizzie or Mr Motivator to feel at home. The fatties in the gym make me feel like a welcome addition.
The relax, the indoor and outdoor swimming pools are great. They are both heated, which is a godsend, and are -once again- never full. I took my nieces to the outdoor pool on a very hot day, and we had a really nice time. The lifeguards are helpful, have obviously been trained on how to deal with annoying children and pestering parents, and one feels very safe in their care. To add to this sauna, jacuzzi and steam room facilities and the pool side area is a great way to wind down and relax. My girlfriend and I often go their for half anf hour or so later on in the evening to wind down, and it is very helpful.
On from that, David Lloyds Enfield has a creche, a ball pond for the kids, a kids corner, which has various fuseball tables, giant connect 4s, a couple of play stations etc all for the younger ones. For us older mob there is a very well stocked, and well presented restuarent area, which serves healthy and not so healthy options, including pasta and meat dishes, bagettes, sandwiches, cream cakes, all at a reasonable to high price. There is also a bar, which serves alcoholic and non-acoholic drinks, and a function room which can be hired.
The club also has a health club within, which provides free sun beds, manicures, massages, st tropez etc etc at good prices. You have to book well in advance for free sunbeds, as my girlfriend found out, but the booking staff are helpful an even rearrange you appointment if (like my girlfriend) you cannot make it. Adjoining the club is a bowling alley, which is a great way to have some all round family fun, and is very reasonably prices (about £5 per lane).
All in all I think the David Lloyds is great. It is not poncey, or snobby, or too high and mighty. If you want a gym and swim, and can afford the membership, this is a good place to go.
More details
Price
£200 joining fee (discount) and £90 per month thereafter
Size
Big
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