I certainly would never have joined Esporta except for the childrens creche and other children facilities enabling our family to be able to use a local health and fitness club with this reasonable facility.
As I said in advantages the only way I think that anyone could consider joining this club is if you have children under 16 especially very young ones which you can leave in the creche or a class whilst you work out. Even though they provide facilities for children they charge you for virtually everything in this regard and some things are expensive. This is on top of the highest membership fees in the area.
Everything else about the club is very poor. At the present time April 2006 the following are some of our observations:-
GYM: The equipment generally old. Not enough variety especially in cardio vascular where you only get runners, crosstrainers, bike and rowers. Layout in the gym is not good especially for the rowers and weights section.
STUDIO: Some classes and teachers are good but too many below standard instructors with little personality. It maybe difficult for a club to get good instructors but I suspect it could be if Esporta pay low rates.
CHANGING FACILITIES: Layout and design of changing rooms beggars belief. Very difficult to utilise when a number of people using. Showers work by a sensor making use a problem as often the sensor keeps turning off and you often have to wait for shower to come back on with temperature fluctuating. Cleanliness of the changing rooms and shower area leaves a lot to be desired. They hardly seem to have anyone now going around the changing rooms tidying and replenishing during the day. Members leave their towels all over the place and often an unhealthy mess.
Many parts of the club are starting to look tatty.
COST AND MEMBERSHIP: The membership contract is ridiculous and if chalenged in the courts I suspect illegal. But be warned you have no option but to take out a 12 month contract which they cleverly make you do with a finance company. You cannot get out of this for any reason whatsoever. Maybe dying but not even sure about this and they do not allow you to transfer membership to other parties etc.. Of course if you try and do something you will be done by the finance company as it is passed on to them so Esporta do not have to concern themselves about the consequences etc.. If you do not have young children I would definitely say that David Lloyd and even the YMCA Hawker centre offer much better value and advanatages. David lloyd for instance is £39.99 a month and at any time you can cancel your contract with only 1 months notice! Their equipment is also much better. But not user friendly for children.
In conclusion our membership will be running out soon and despite the children facility we will be leaving for sure.
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Apr 8th, 2006
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