LA Fitness- Northolt (Dragons)

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Good
Is it part of a chain?	yes
Service	Satisfactory
Cleanliness	good

Advantages:	Value, new equipment
Disadvantages:	Weights scattered everywhere, crowded

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I've been a member of this gym now since November '07 so here's my perspective on my experiences so far.

The gym was recently converted from Dragons to an LA Fitness Centre. it's location is in Northolt, just of Target roundabout off the A40. Parking is free and has enough space

THE COSTS
Back in November I took advantage of a special offer of £41.50 per month on a 1 year contract which gave me Group Peak membership, i.e. I could go to any other LA Fitness gym except the Central London ones. This is a pretty good deal considering I was previously paying about £70p/m for a gym whose quality was no different.

THE STAFF
The fitness instructors: Are all great people and really helpful. During the evenings, when I go the most, they are limted to only one instructor so sometimes a bit hard to get a hold of but otherwise nice guys.
Receptionists: Well they seem friendly enough but a bit preoccupied with talking to eachother than helping out the members and quite moody on frequent occasions...I smile would help!
Membership Advisors: They are all great guys too, but in this case, for a reason....they want you to join and earn them commision! They can be quite pushy to get you to join on the day you visit the gym and can give you some sales crap about today being the last day to get their special prices!!

THE GYM
Very well equipped, and in fact since the LA Fitness takeover they've given the place a facelift with new machines.

All the cardio machines are up to date with a good variety. They don't seem to ever get crowded and I've never had a problem getting one. They are fairly straightforward to set up.

The weights section has a good selection of weights with dumbells going up to 44kgs for all you hardcore bodybuilders! The resistence machines are up to date and easy to setup and use.
The problem with the weights section though is that evenings get really crowded and I've found it difficult to get the machines or weights I want on several occasions. As well as this there are a few disrespectful members who do not return the free weights to the stands leaving them hard to find when needed and the place in a mess.

THE POOL AREA
The pool is 15m and seems pretty well cleaned and maintained. They've just issued a swimming cap regulation so no hair gets into the filters!
The Sauna and Steam Rooms are nice, clean and do what they say on the tin!
The Jacuzzi/Spa is the problem, it's been out of service for weeks because their engineers A. Can't be bothered to do anything and B. When they are, have no clue what is wrong with it!

STUDIOS
There are two studios; A large unit where most of the classes are taken and also include boxing equipment, a smaller unit equipped for spin classes.
I do not use the studios myself as I have my own personal training routine but their noticeboards have a good selection of free classes available including circuits, bodypump and boxercise.

MISC
They have a beauty and therapy area where you can get treatments, physiotherapy and massges all at extra cost though. I haven't used it myself.

They have a kickstart programme which is basically a a whole group of leaflets which give you ideas on excersises and stretches that you can do. It also incorperates a bespoke training programme after your first induction. I didn't really care for this as I know what I'm doing but it is supposedly good for those who are easily bored and to give them variety.

One final note:
If and when you do visit this gym, and in fact any LA Fitness, they give you a whole load of sales talk at the beginning which is boring and piontless. If they do, just tell them to cut to the chase and show you around.

Otherwise a good gym for the prices offered.