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Original poster

Help me decide if I should join David Lloyd or not

134 replies

rookiemere · 26/05/2021 09:19

So I've had a trial membership and am now at the deciding if I should commit phase. It would just be for me - DS 15 does his own thing as does DH.

I'm just swithering so much because it's so expensive - £88 per month for a non flexible years membership. But I love the outdoor pool and went to a class there and enjoyed that, plus my friends a member and can meet her for a coffee. There's no other outdoor heated pools where I live.

It doesn't really stack up on price per visit. It's a 15 minute drive away so realistically I'll only go on my day off and weekends, and then obviously there are other things to do so I don't want it to turn into a chore.

DH is encouraging me to join - I find it hard to treat myself as you might have guessed , and I hate the thought of wasting money. Last year was my 50th and none of the special trips I'd organised took place. We can afford it as a family. Should I just go for it?

OP posts:

Faultymain5 · 28/05/2021 06:01

@Waveafterwaveslowlydrifting

I pay 86 per month and negotiated to get free guest passes.

I thought these came as part of the package? I did get told yesterday, if you are on the cheaper membership you only get 24 hours to book a class but if you are on premium you get the normal 8 days. I wander what else they have changed.

evilharpy · 28/05/2021 06:57

I haven't read all the responses so sorry if someone has said this already.

See if there's a facebook group for your local DL and join it if so and see what people say. In our local club (I'm in the group but no longer a member) there's a lot of noise around people being unable to book classes, there's too much demand and not enough classes on the timetable to fit everyone in, and to get a slot you have to be really on the ball when bookings open. This was still the case before Covid. If this is the case with yours, think about whether it would annoy you.

Original poster

rookiemere · 28/05/2021 07:15

@Faultymain5 I didn't know that about the classes. I will ask as unless I can go to the Bodypump class on a Friday then I don't want to join, and there's no way I'd get a slot for that at 24 hrs.

OP posts:

looptheloopinahulahoop · 28/05/2021 08:45

OP I was thinking about this again. I pay £45 a month for weekly swimming lessons. Admittedly I would also be able to go for a swim at other times but it's still pricey, and that's a local authority leisure centre run by Everyone Active. At the moment it's actually really nice as we have 4 of us in a double lane but they'll cram us in again as soon as they are allowed to. They do have a sauna but you can only use that if you have a premium membership which is probably getting on for the price you are being asked for at DL.

I would pay a premium for access to a gym that is quiet. My personal trainer is stopping later in the year to start teacher training, so maybe I should look into DL.

Original poster

rookiemere · 28/05/2021 12:46

I'm pretty much decided to go to it if I can book classes 7 days in advance.
This morning I went to Bodypump - a nice 45 minute class - then an amazing swim in the outdoor pool. As the sun is out it felt like being on holiday and it struck me that's what I'd be paying for - that feeling of being away. Also had a quick steam room which was nice but a bit too hot.

OP posts:

Sssloou · 28/05/2021 12:49

It’s fine to pay for something healthy and contributing to your overall emotional and physical well being.

We dropped £83 on a takeaway last night .... we gave us unhealthy pleasure for about 30 mins!

Enjoy it

Original poster

rookiemere · 28/05/2021 12:56

How did you manage to spend that much on a takeaway @Sssloou - not judging, just curious ?
Yes it also struck me to spend money on something that is not eating or drinking is a good thing as well.

OP posts:

Notavegan · 28/05/2021 12:56

You can afford it, do it for a year and see it as a trial and a gift to yourself. Don't feel guilty abo8t not going, remember it's a gift.

Sssloou · 28/05/2021 16:37

@rookiemere

How did you manage to spend that much on a takeaway *@Sssloou* - not judging, just curious ? Yes it also struck me to spend money on something that is not eating or drinking is a good thing as well.

We are a family of 6, four of whom are ravenous teens. Much cheaper than eating out with them which can come in nearer £200.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 28/05/2021 19:49

@rookiemere

How did you manage to spend that much on a takeaway *@Sssloou* - not judging, just curious ? Yes it also struck me to spend money on something that is not eating or drinking is a good thing as well.

My two DC (aged 8 and 13 at the time) wanted a Sushi meal for the older one's birthday treat. I, of course, agreed as it was nice that they wanted fish, vegetables and rice, rather than 27 of their least irritating closest friends for a megaparty and rampaging around my tiny flat or something at an overpriced venue.

Between them, they stung me for £97. They only drank water as well 'because it's free, Mumma'.

I dread to think how much they'd do now they're fully grown and into fitness and training.

TropicalFairyCake · 28/05/2021 20:29

Wow £97!?!

BeeandG · 28/05/2021 20:57

I used to work for DL, a long time ago but I guess a few things won't have changed much. Getting a discount on monthly subs was almost impossible unless there was perhaps a friends & family offer for staff or very rarely a corporate discount. I think we used to give 5% off 12mths upfront. Price increases were annual too. Joining fees were a lot more flexible especially if it was the end of the month and a sales target to achieve. We used to have to close the outdoor pool in winter sometimes due to difficulties keeping it at temperature in really cold weather. Definitely check class booking rules. The clubs are amazing but going often is key to making it value for money.

MrsJBaptiste · 28/05/2021 21:55

I would pay a premium for access to a gym that isquiet I'd hate that 😣

I love that my gym is always busy and I can people watch while I'm on the treadmill although I'm not sure that many people watch me sweating and dripping as I run!

sociallydistained · 28/05/2021 22:03

I love to have DL membership for the luxury and the spa side of it. Also the box fit thing they do outside, Bootcamp style. But there isn’t one in the direction of work and that’s when I mostly go to the gym (before work). I also love my gym and the community there and wouldn’t want to leave... but I do see DL in my future at some point! It would definitely be worth the money if I could go frequently.

sociallydistained · 29/05/2021 09:52

I’ve gone from that post yesterday to booking a tour today 🤦🏻‍♀️

Original poster

rookiemere · 29/05/2021 09:54

I don't work for DL @sociallydistained honest !

OP posts:

sociallydistained · 29/05/2021 16:11

😂 well I’ve been and signed up and spent a glorious 3 hours there. Getting a PT introduction session thing on Thursday and I’m going tomorrow to use my guest pass and play tennis with my partner. I’ll try and convince him to join but he’ll be having none of it I think!

£100 a month! I am such an easy sell.

coodawoodashooda · 29/05/2021 16:12

I got as far as outdoor pool. Definitely do it.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 29/05/2021 16:27

@sociallydistained

£100 a month! I am such an easy sell.

If you have a joint membership you both get it slightly cheaper.

Hope you enjoy your club.

sociallydistained · 29/05/2021 17:30

There is another club not far from me too and I think they have a few more things listed on the spa facilities. Is it free for me to go there and I just turn up as I do my own club?

I like that I don't have to book a gym or pool slot! I am going to spend my week off relaxing there and trying a few classes.

chocolatesaltyballs22 · 29/05/2021 17:33

Not sure @sociallydistained as I don't use other clubs but I've heard others say they can use other clubs. Check with someone on reception and they'll be able to tell you.

TinyRobins · 29/05/2021 18:11

[quote rookiemere]@chocolatesaltyballs22 it's Edinburgh Costorphine.

It's a 15 minute drive from home but does get clogged with traffic so could easily be twice that or more. I can't see me going from work as I'm likely to be taking the bus once I'm back in the office, but we've been told that's likely to be October at the earliest.[/quote]
Ooh I’ve been considering joining the Edinburgh, Newhaven one. I was wondering what the price would be, I’d imagine similar to Costorphine. wary of the hard sell by enquiring…

Original poster

rookiemere · 29/05/2021 18:23

@TinyRobins there has been a complete lack of hard sell as the sales people are still working from home so you can't speak to them in person. They have answered my questions but not chased up at all - suspect they may have already smashed May sales targets.

If you've not been at all I think they still offer 3 month trial deal - I did that last year and bafflingly they didn't try to sell me the membership afterwards.

I possibly ask too many questions and am very slow to commit unlike @sociallydistained - well done on going for it !

OP posts:

TabbyStar · 29/05/2021 18:27

I have a membership almost entirely for the outdoor pool and it's a bit of a drive so I only go a couple of times a week so it's worth it for me. I used to work in the cafe more pre-owned covid. You can get off-peak more cheaply, but it is obviously limiting.

sociallydistained · 29/05/2021 20:29

I’ve just read on the website they can’t lend racquets and balls until further notice which is a bit gutting.

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