Since the age of 21, I had managed to double my body weight, and achievement of which I am both proud and horrified. I had certainly eaten all the pies.
At the age of 32, I was feeling miserable about my size, and my boyfriend, bless, who just wanted me to be happy, tentatively suggested that he would pay for membership and three months fees for any gym I chose.
I was extremely nervous about walking into Esporta. I had already visited two Islington gyms (which I shan't name because I'm too nice), and decided against them. When you get to the size I was, you become very conscious of how people are looking at you, and frankly, the receptionists at both of these places might as well have had "you lardy fat cow" tattooed on their foreheads.
I
slunk into Esporta. I was greeted by an extremely friendly receptionist (who is still there, still friendly, and still as helpful as she was on that day), who immediately called an instructor out to talk to me. John was equally approachable, and worked out an exercise plan which was manageable, if a pathetic 20 minutes of Cardiovascular exercise only.
A year on, I'm three stones lighter and four dress sizes smaller. I stuck to it, with their help, encouragement, and sometimes their shouting and swearing. I'm still lardy(ish), but supplement a whopping 60 minutes Cardiovascular exercise with 30 minutes weights, and 30 lengths of the pool to finish up with three times a week. I'm fit. I can run upstairs.
So what makes Esporta special?
The gym is always supervised. Instructors pounce on you if they think you are going to injure yourself. There are regular reviews of your fitness programme, and since the computer system - Fitlinxx - was installed in November of last year, there is an award level programme, starting at an Esporta water bottle (whoopie doo), but working up to prizes like a cholestorol tests, tshirts, and personal training sessions.
There are a couple of curtained cubicles in the changing rooms, so if you are feeling self-conscious, you can change in complete privacy. The shower cubicles are also separate, and if you do a bit of cunning Mata Hari like subterfuge, you can creep from shower to towel to cubicle without anyone ever seeing your flab.
No one on the training staff will ever treat you as a second class citizen if you are overweight. I have been praised, cajoled and pushed to the limits. They publish a list of "Top 30 members" on a monthly basis, and instead of being the 30 fittest gym fascists, they are the 30 highest achievers according to their fitness level.
They give you nice incentives for introducing new members. My boyfriend joined just before Christmas, and they gave me a nice Molton Brown set worth about £100 in the shops.
The pool is terrific. Only 20 meters, and sometimes a bit crowded (why do people insist on swimming backstroke when there are at least seven others trying not to drown each other?), but warm, clean, not over-chlorinated, and with sun loungers dotted around to laze on if it all becomes a bit too much. Oh, and did I mention the steam room, sauna and jacuzzi?
There's a pretty good cafe, although meals are not always available when they say they are, and recently, they've got a bit crafty about shutting early, so you can't even get a drink.
I have no experience - yet - of the beauty salon, so I can't comment, although I have bought some Clarins cosmetics in there, and was impressed by not only the product knowledge of the beautician, but her advice on my skin, what colours would look good, and different things I could try.
Downsides? Well, I still get stares from some ignorant stick folk, and there are a lot of those, this being Islington and all. Esporta is also pricey - £55 (monthly) approx for Off Peak Membership (out of the gym by 4pm, no weekend access), £67 full membership, and £135 approx joint membership. I can't comment on the joining fee, as they frequently have "free to join" offers, and if you are canny and keep a look out, you can avoid this. The cost is a great incentive to go more often, however.
Lockers could do with a good scrub out (make sure you have £1 for a deposit), as they often smell of someone else's BO and feet. Not pleasant.
But do I recommend it? Oh yes. Is working out in the Municipal Gym ANY incentive to get fit at all?
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Presently I've moved from David Lloyd to Esporta in Belfast, and visited Islington in June last year - it was very good, but I reckon Belfast is better!!!?? - Trevor
laurajdunn 27.01.2005 12:21
Good review. I'm off to Esporta Rugby today so hopefully I'll be just as impressed!
Advantages: Good enough if you don't mind having money removed from your account against your will Disadvantages: Similar to the disadvantages of being mugged
Advantages: Good enough if you don't mind having money removed from your account against your will Disadvantages: Similar to the disadvantages of being mugged
May 23rd, 2002
very helpful by (92%):
somewhat helpful by (8%):
