Well, not quite. But for a gym (or "health club" as it prefers to be known), Holmes Place Star City gets reasonably close.
I joined Holmes Place five months ago after having been a member of a Birmingham city centre gym for two and a half years. (Before then, I was a certified couch potato) I chose Holmes Place Star City as it's close to my new job and I was impressed by the facilities it offers during my initial visit there. So here's the lowdown...
**Location** Holmes Place is bang in the middle of the enormous Star City entertainment complex which is home to the largest multiplex in Europe (30 screen "Vue" cinema), a Mega Bowl and a big selection of chain eateries including Nandos, BK, Pizza Hut and La Tasca - a big temptation after working out but I've resisted these so far! Star City is located near Junction 6 of the M6, about a five-ish minute drive (when there's no traffic) from
Birmingham city centre which makes the gym handy for commuters. With over 2900 parking spaces, it's certainly convenient, unless your gym visit coincides with a blockbuster opening night!
**Reception/interior** As you walk in, there is a very plush reception, decked out in minimalist wood and glass. The receptionists (very smartly dressed in black suits for some reason!) swap your membership photocard for a sweat towel. There is a cafe in the corner, currently unmanned as the gym is looking for a new tenant to run it. This is not a problem though as there is a cafe called Star Bites right outside which sells fabulous chocolate brownies (ok, I'll admit it, I succumbed!) From reception you can also buy an assortment of Holmes Place merchandise including gym kit you may have left at home, as well as tokens for the sunbeds which are located in the changing rooms.
**The gym bit** The gym is very much open plan and is set out on two storeys. The mixed gym and weights areas are spread out amongst the two floors. Upstairs, there is a ladies-only room. There are banks and banks of machines (too many to count) - you'll find all the usual equipment. I have never had to wait for a machine ever (not that I would - I'd just go home early!) With the exception of the rowers and weights machines, you can plug in your head phones and listen to a number of radio stations or watch the TVs attached to the walls. There is always a sports and music channel available but the other channels do seem to vary. I have whiled away many a dull exercise session by watching the screens - notably Budget 2004 which I have to admit was more boring than trotting away on the treadmill. One gripe of mine is the lack of automated weights machines which my previous gym had in abundance. However, the manually adjusted ones do work just as well - I missed the beeps that tell you off when you aren't using the machine properly!
**The studios** I think there are 4 fitness studios and Holmes Place offers a wide range of classes, including those for children. One of the studios is for spinning/RPM classes - something I'm too scared to do as I've heard horror stories of people falling off and breaking their ankles because they were peddling too quickly!
**The swimming pool** This is the main reason I joined! The main pool is a reasonable size (20 metres?) and rectangular - good for swimming lengths. It's a nice temperature too. The pool appears to have been manufactured from steel so swimming in it is rather like swimming in a massive, clean kitchen sink. The atmosphere of the pool area is very soothing with low lighting and music playing in the background. The main pool is for adults only - the kiddies have their own pool where they can splash about and play with their inflatables.
**Changing rooms** I can only comment on the ladies changing rooms but these are very clean and luxuriously kitted out. There are plenty of lockers and a few private changing cubicles. There are also play pens so mothers can use the facilities and keep an eye on their children. The gym provides toiletries and hair dryers as you would expect and there are plenty of mirrors for preening. In the "wet area", there are plenty of showers, a steam room and my favourite, the sauna.
**Other facilities** As well as the kiddy pool, I believe there is a creche and a "juniors club". There are also personal trainers available for those who want their services. There is a seating area where daily newspapers are provided. There are also a number of drinking fountains dotted around the place.
**Joining** I originally joined as an off peak member (ie, restricted hours) but have been automatically upgraded to a full member due to the new pricing that have been introduced. I was impressed by this as now I pay less than I did when I joined and have full access to the facilities... and I didn't have to do anything. The prices can be found on the website (which is very useful for more information about the gym) but basically, there is a joining fee of £25 and a monthly subscription of £49 (£39 each if you have joint membership with a partner. I think this is more expensive than a lot of gyms (I paid £25 a month for my previous, pool-less gym) but it reflects the better, more luxurious facilites Holmes Place provides. To join you must arrange a tour (can be done online) with a membership consultant - I found the experience very relaxing with no hard sell. I was even offered free membership for the notice period I had with my previous gym.
**Opening hours** Again, the website gives full details but in brief, the gym is open every weekday from 6.30am (so early!) to 10pm and every weekend from 8am to 8pm.
**Contact details** The address is Star City, 16 Watson Road, Aston, Birmingham, B7 5SB. The phone number is 0121 322 8700.
**Overall impression** Holmes Place Star City is definitely more of a leisure club rather than a functional fitness club. People go there to relax and enjoy themselves, as well as exercise, which is reflected by the facilities on offer and the surroundings. I find it difficult to motivate myself to get off my backside and work out but the niceness of Holmes Place is definitely an encouraging factor. That and the lure of chocolate brownies just outside....
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