Living Well Brindley Place.
I've just moved to Birmingham and luckily for me Living Well Brindley Place is literally a five minute walk from me.
Rather than just signing up I checked out their website and found they offer a couple of options if you just want a trial. You can either pay ... Read review
Advantages: Get Fit, Keep Healthy, Make Friends and Chill Out Disadvantages: Not one!
Living Well Brindley Place.
I've just moved to Birmingham and luckily for me Living Well Brindley Place is literally a five minute walk from me.
Rather than just signing up I checked out their website and found they offer a couple of options if you just want a trial. You can either pay a one of £10 charge and use all the facilities for the whole day, or if you tell them you are interested in becoming a member you can ... ...straight away.
Living well also has a beauty section. The treatments cost extra, and although I've never had one I am sure they are worth it. You can have facials, manicures, massages etc.
The whole experience is wonderful and I reall y enjoy going there. I did wonder whether I would be wasting my money when I signed up, but now I don't regret it at all. Once the money is paid you can go whenever you want and I love ... more
Living Well Brindley Place.
I've just moved to Birmingham and luckily for me Living Well Brindley Place is literally a five minute walk from me.
Rather than just signing up I checked out their website and found they offer a couple of options if you just want a trial. You can either pay a one of £10 charge and use all the facilities for the whole day, or if you tell them you are interested in becoming a member you can spend the day there for free and have a chat with one of the sales team.
THE STAFF: The reception team are always really friendly and ask you how you are. Once they've swiped you in they thank you by your name. You are provided with a small and large towel. One is perfect for taking into the gym with you, and the other is for showering. This is a nice touch.
THE CHANGING ROOMS: You have two options with the lockers. You can either use one that requires a padlock, which you can either buy at reception for £5 or bring your own, or use one that requires a pound deposit. My only qualm with this is that there aren't enough lockers with the pound option.
The changing facilities are as nicely decorated as the rest of the gym and almost luxurious. You are provided with hair dryers, body lotion, hair gel, tissues and obviously scales! A lot of people don't mind changing anywhere so the changing room is communal, though for those who prefer not to do this there are 2 cubicles to change it though these are not very often used.
THE GYM: I was very impressed when I first went into the gym. There are 4 sections. Firstly there is the main part with all the cardio machines such as the running machine, step machine, stair master, ski machines.... This is where I spend most my time. You can burn up to 200 calories in about 20 minutes on a couple of the machines. There is a good variety and enough of each type of machine for everyone to use.
Next there is the free weight section that is tucked away nicely in the corners, and also the only section to be surrounded by mirrors. I don't use this area however it seems to be very popular with the guys so I guess it must provide what any body builder in the making requires.
Thirdly there is a raised sections with weights machines including ones for abs, back legs, arms, there is also the rowing and bike machines. There really is something to work every muscle in your body.
Finally there are the two studios. This is where the classes take place. There are a whole host of classes to choose from and they are for varying abilities. I like the fact that the classes are colour coded so you can choose one to suit you. The classes include Yoga, Pilates, Body Pump, Boxercise, LBT (Legs, Bums and Tums) Aqua (obviously in the swimming pool), Circuit, Body Step, Spinning (on stationary bikes). I go to Body Pump and I thoroughly enjoy it.
THE CLASSES: Before you go to Body Pump you can go to the Sunday clinic to learn some of the moves, and to find out what you are getting yourself in for. The instructors are really friendly and helpful and make you feel really comfortable.
SWIMMING: The pool is lovely and the good thing about it is that its hardly ever busy. There is a large slow lane, a medium lane and a fast lane. The decor is really relaxing and you can really chill out after a session in the gym. Just next to the pool is the jacuzzi, so after you've done a hard aqua class you can unwind in the jacuzzi.
SAUNA/STEAM ROOM: Just next to the changing rooms are the single sex sauna and steam room. I absolutely love the steam room, not so keen on the sauna though it does seem to be very popular. They are not partucularly big, you could probably fit about 5 in each one. Towel hooks are provided outside, along with a separate shower.
THE SHOWERS: There are about 8 shower cubicles so you can have some privacy. They provide you with shower gel, though I can't comment on it because I like to take my own.
OTHER: After a hard work out you can go and relax in the health bar where they serve a variety of food and drinks. There are lovely big sofas and a tv if you don't fancy going home straight away.
Living well also has a beauty section. The treatments cost extra, and although I've never had one I am sure they are worth it. You can have facials, manicures, massages etc.
The whole experience is wonderful and I reall y enjoy going there. I did wonder whether I would be wasting my money when I signed up, but now I don't regret it at all. Once the money is paid you can go whenever you want and I love it!
OPENING HOURS: They are open 6.30am til 10pm. This is wonderful because you can go before work if you want, or go and have a late night swim. It is busiest around half 5 when people have come out of work. I find the quietiest days are the weekend. Especially Sunday Morning when I go to my Body Pump class.
WEBSITE: www.livingwell.com A brilliant website that gives you all the info you need.
PRICES:I believe the price has just gone down to £39 a month which really is a bargain. I pay slightly more than this though it is worth every penny.
RECOMMENDATION: I would definitely recommend this gym. As a member you can use any of their gyms throughout the country. If you are standing looking lost someone will usually ask if you are ok. Its a good way of meeting people and getting fit in a fun way. Definitely worth checking out!!
