Palmer Channel

Advantages: Good classes, excellent customer service
Disadvantages: No pool

...I joined Peak Fitness after my not-so-brilliant experiences with the Gloucester Esporta (see other op). Peak Fitness is about 5 minutes from our new house, and had been reccomended to me by several people at work. So, shortly after Christmas I decided i'd better wear off all that turkey and mince pies and join the gym. **Who are they** Peak Fitness is a chain club, but a lot smaller than the likes of Esporta and Fitness First. They have gyms in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Docklands, Palmers Green, Woking, Worcester, Whitley Bay, Tonbridge & 2 in Newcastle. They are also known as Arena in Northern Ireland. You can use any of these gyms as a member for no extra cost. **Facilities** The Gloucester club is situated on the outskirts of the city, in a large open shopping area. There is plenty of parking, even when it's sale time... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: nothing electrical to go wrong, saves time by being cardio and toning in one
Disadvantages: price

...I’m going to admit to something shameful. It’s a terrible habit, and very addictive, whilst annoying everyone else in the house. It’s hard to admit to, but I think if I just say it out loud, and maybe if people say they do it too, I’ll feel better about it. Here goes. I enjoy watching shopping channels. I don’t mean I just watch them when there’s nothing on; I actively watch and enjoy them. There, I said it. I think my favourite shopping channel adverts are the ones for exercise equipment, as I love all the technical terms; ‘this one trains your abs’, ‘this one will put you in your cardio fat burning zone’, and so on. So, anyway, one day I was watching Vector Direct, when this strange tree trunk looking blonde woman came on, and started talking about this new exercise gadget. Every time we turned onto the shopping channels... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: get fit, monthly or annual membership, free personal trainers
Disadvantages: maybe too small for some, no creche, no health spa treatments

...things if the old ones will still do the job just fine. If you prefer mediaeval torture instruments then there are plenty of machines to help you push weights with your legs, arms, there are barbells and a boxing ring as well as rowing machines. The gym is mirrored so you can watch yourself work out (or try and look away embarrassed). There is always music playing and a row of TV screens show a variety of programmes. In Borehamwood you normally get SKY News, one of the SKY Sports channels, BBC1, MTV and either Channel 4 or ITV1, depending on what time of day and what programmes are on. You will always have the first three channels, the other two vary as well as the number of TVs tuned into each channel. I suggest you bring your own headphones and plug yourself in and pick the TV channel you want at a volume comfortable for you. If you... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful