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Anyone a member of Greenwich Leisure Ltd Gyms ('Better' Gym Group)?

10 replies

Tiredemma · 25/02/2017 06:33

I had planned to join my very local Fitness First Gym next week. DS1 is currently a member and received a letter in the post from them yesterday detailing that as of next month they will be transferring to another gym operator ('Better' Gym Group).
I've had a look online, their website seems to indicate that they own a lot of gyms (mainly leisure centre types) in the south.
Are they any good? I liked the classes on the FF timetable so would be disappointed if I join next week and it all massively changes.

OP posts:
HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 25/02/2017 06:50

I used to live in an area where they ran the Council leisure centres.
They were OK.... Reasonably cheap. Annoying website. Didn't answer phone often. Sessions were OK, but not very imaginative, and to me the swimming pool scheduling was silly - lots of short sessions so if you turned up on impulse - "you can pay for the female session, but there is only twenty mins of the hour left, then it is the Silver Session for pensioners for an hour" - in a huge pool that could easily be separated to leave a space for general swimmers!

This was a council owned centre though, maybe they'll up their game with an old fitness first?

imip · 25/02/2017 07:17

They run all the gyms in my area and I'm a member of a new one. I really like it - not busy, new equipment. It's slow to get in, computers are often down. But it's £22 a month!

Before dc I was a member of fitness first for years working in the city (and virgin also). I paid way more a decade ago than I do now!

My 4 dds learn to swim at a better pool (different one). Again, it can be slow to get in but you can register etc online to make it easier. We've done v expensive swimming lessons and now the much cheaper ones - no difference.

They are a not for profit charity. Administratively it kind of shows. But facilities are great at mine.

Why don't you do a tour and see what you think?

imip · 25/02/2017 07:17

Sorry - I mean they run all the council gyms in my borough!

Tiredemma · 25/02/2017 08:09

I was a member of the same FF previously and DS1 is there so I know that its a reasonably 'good' gym. I cant understand why its changing hands at all.
I will go around next week and have another look and ask some questions.

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Tiredemma · 25/02/2017 11:08

Just bumping to see if anyone else has any info/advice?

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Lalsy · 25/02/2017 12:01

They run my local leisure centres and I play sport at one. I am also a member of a Virgin active gym. The difference.....When we turn up for our sport, it often isn't set up, no staff around, no-one seems to care. The centre s brand new and the classes (from peering through the windows) look fine but the set-up is very impersonal and the admin/reception staff seem to loathe human beings and exercise. They also don't call out poor behaviour (people finishing on the court late, hanging around etc). I would say they are slightly better than the previous contractors but that is a low bar.

CiderwithBuda · 25/02/2017 12:10

Our local leisure centres have been taken over by Better. I joined in September. I can use any of three centres in th area on that membership.

The gym seems good. Well equipped although I haven't really used it yet. I do vibe cycling which I enjoy.

Tiredemma · 25/02/2017 12:47

Thanks for this- the letter says that the old Fitness First staff are remaining so hopefully they wont end up being slackers.

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Tiredemma · 27/02/2017 10:14

Ive contacted them today to ask some questions and plan to visit tomorrow. Lad on phone said that aside from the name change, we (customers) should see no difference.

As its my most local gym and I can be there in literally 5 minutes I think ill give it a go - the prospect of having to travel further doesn't appeal to me and is likely to make me not visit as much as I would have originally intended to.

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Lalsy · 27/02/2017 11:35

Definitely worth trying if it is that close! And my experience is based on what they provide on a local authority contract (and a very cash strapped LA with a terrible record) - taking over a private gym may mean quite a different set up.

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