Gyms have a habit of getting folk to join who soon forget that they are paying on monthly direct debit for something they hardly ever use.
For me, that was the main reason I would never even think of joining such an establishment.
However, two and a half years ago, I changed my tune, thanks to Esporta. - so here is my applause for a club that has helped me lose over 2 stone in weight, and get fit enough to climb the stairs without having to be revived with pure oxygen afterwards.!
1 ~~~~~~My Track Record~~~~~~~
Early years of life saw my involvement in rugby, tennis, cricket, badminton and then squash - the latter for several years and up to three times a week.
Then mid-life saw extra work commitments, less opportunity to play, and less by way of fellow competitors where we were living.
The weight was rushing towards 19 stone, the clothes were apparently shrinking more with each wash - ha - ha - and the possibility of heart crisis seemed likely.
Esporta Belfast opened not too far away from home, and a caller at the house offered a month's trial for £20.
I was there in a jiffy !
2 ~~~~~~~~~~The Hurdles~~~~~~~~~
Time was still a hurdle. No extra hours had been added to my days! But an early start proved to be the answer - at 7.15 am there are few folk in the gym and fewer on my phone !
Being a creature of habit was another hurdle, and I knew that this had to become a daily routine, or it would not even last the month - it now is, and usually that is 6 days a week.!
Cost was going to be the highest hurdle of all. I can rationalise that it is only a couple of pounds a day etc, - but a regular debit of £50 or so is still a lot of money in my world.
The other potential hurdle was the thought of going to a gym full of well-toned, super-fit young people.! That hurdle was soon overcome - not by my overflowing humility, - but by the fact that at least half the people in Esporta Belfast, are there with the same needs as myself.!
3 ~~~~~~~~~~The Surroundings~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Esporta Belfast is very easy to reach - traffic permitting, being very close to the City Airport, the Holywood Exchange and Tesco !
It is set in its own grounds with green fields and a little wood surrounding three sides. There is plenty of parking and I have never seen it more than three quarters full.
The foyer is classy looking with a staff member ready to welcome visitors and get you through the turnstiles.
From the same area you can access the restaurant - open to non-members too - for anything from coffee to a full meal. Also the Wellbeing facility can offer beauty treatments - and though you may think I have used it often when you see the photo - I have not needed to as yet !
4 ~~~~~~~ The Pool Area ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are a number of clients who seem to use the pool area only, and never enter the gym. The children's pool copes with all the children who arrive, even on Saturday mornings. Classes can be booked into for babies upwards.
The main pool has a scetion for general swimming as well as a couple of lanes for more serious swim training.
At the side are two small spa pools , a sauna and a steam room.
In common with many gyms and clubs, the spas do seem to suffer a fair number of problems and you can expect them not to be fully functioning one or two days a month on average.
5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Changing Rooms and Showers ~~~~~~~~
I recently discovered that there is a clear case of gender discrimination in Esporta Belfast - the female section has more lockers and more roomy showers.! And before I am accused of all kinds of misbehaviour and reported to my church, I discovered this as a result of a maintence process in the female section, which required the two areas to be switched round for a couple of days to let workmen get into the Ladies section etc.!
Both areas have plenty of lockers and adequate numbers of showers, and are kept clean and tidy all day. The only negative being those customers who disregard the request notices asking them to towel dry before entering the changing areas ! I loathe getting dressed among pools of water left by disobedient swimmers!
6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gym and Studios~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is a new cycling Revolution studio with the latest hi-tec cycles and video screen. There are two other small studios for the wide variety of classes that take place during the day and evening.
And then, at last, the main gym. It is air-conditioned, though I would like it to be cooler. There are large TV screens to keep you distracted from your tiredness and aching muscles, and sound is available through the gym theatre system - which is a bit temperamental at times.
Water is available through a couple of fountains and iced water in jugs at the door.
It has a number of resistence machines, treadmills, cross-trainers, cycles, rowing machines, and a few steppers.
Then there is a good sized area for free weights and a number of weight machines too.
Finally, there is a warm up area with abs machines, balls, mats etc.
7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~Staff~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Staff can be booked as personal trainers for your own special regime. But also they are always there to give advice or help with a particular piece of equipment. They keep equipment clean and tidy, and are pleasant to have a quick chat to in the early morning as well.
So what is my conclusion? Esporta has worked for me. I have spent a number of months in David Lloyd's as well - see my review on DL. Both have their plusses and minuses, and both are expensive if you only go once or twice a month. Esporta feels smaller and more homely, but does not have the facilities for racqet sports that DL has,
But personally, it has given me a lifestyle change that I needed and have profited from. I could not recommend it highly enough.
More details
Price
Varies on package - about £55 a month
Size
Big
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