Is David Lloyd’s membership actually worth it?

[CarbieDoll]

Had a 2 week pass and fallen in love with ours- fantastic clubs for dc, pool, gym and the lifestyle etc.
We only live 5 mins away and I think we’d use it most if not every sat and sun plus couple of times in the week.
It will be a chunk of our money every month but I’d be willing not go on holiday next year to pay for it.
But really is it worth it or am I being fooled by it all and how much we’d get out of it as a family it’s not cheap at all.

If you use it at least 3 times a week and not just for coffee, then maybe.

Otherwise no. In fact if you shop around you’ll likely find a better deal at a hotel gym.

We use our local David Lloyd and feel it's worth it. We use it at least twice a week but usually more. When we go swimming it's a long activity as we'll stay for lunch and the children will play in the soft play. We also pay for swimming lessons on top and although they're expensive the ratios are good and and you don't have to stay poolside to watch so can go for a coffee!

I did a trial there and its fantastic but I think the novelty would soon wear off and you would stop getting your moneys worth.

I used to go before I had DCs. I worked shifts so often had empty time when DH and my friends were working. I never did any of the social things, just gym and swim.

For me then (high disposable income, relatively time rich) it was worth it. For me now (much less money, very time poor) it isn't worth it.

Surely only you can make that decision. They are expensive, but if you are going to make use of it and can afford it each month, go for it. You can always cancel in a few months if you decide it's not worth it.

We have been members for ~15 years. We probably used it most when the DC were primary age going twice a week, once for lessons plus swim, and once at the w/e for swim and a meal.
Now DH and I go once in the week and as a family every couple of weeks or so.

It is definitely expensive (especially as we don't use the gym), but the changing facilities are kept very clean, the showers work, good lockers and free hair dryers, and generally we can get a lane to swim in just for us.

I have worked my membership out at
£1 per swim per person
£2 per class per person
£1 per gym workout per person
which I think is a bargain.

When we were broke, the gym membership was as last thing to go as it was unlimited access

• swimming after school
• kids classes
• adult classes
• lovely showers

I always lose interest after about 6 weeks, so it's not worth it for me especially if tied in to a 12 month contract.

and as teen says, we are spoilt that we tend to only have to share a swimming lane with friends or family

If you go 3+ times per week then I think you can justify the cost.

I have a bannatynes membership and it’s worth it for me cos I do a lot of classes, which would be £6/7/8 elsewhere.

I like it but location is key for me - I am stuck with budget gyms as there are more of them and are open all the time.

We really like it, and get value for money. Currently swim twice a week and do at least one class, partner goes almost everyday. We also go and visit other DLs when away and make use of the facilities. I think if you can go on a regular basis then it will be worth while.

Do they do a 3 month membership? Most do and it might be worth trying it before joining on a longer term.

How much is it for one person, off peak, does anyone know? It's impossible to get a straight answer out of them.

Depends on the club
but around £85 a month for my one

£55 off peak for my area £92 peak not including racquets

I had a membership pre children for a few years and I did get my money's worth but at the prices now imo it's extortionate and as I no longer live near enough to one to make it feasible there's no way I'd rejoin.

I looked at our local one and priced up for myself and DC. Can't remember the exact amount but it was just shy of £200 per month.

We declined

I bloody love David Lloyd. I can't afford it, but if I could I would join like a shot.

I go 5 times a week though- gym and classes and would swim too, so would get my moneys worth!

When I had my membership trial I ened up being there for hours at a time, which might have got a bit much in the end.

With young kids, the swimming alone pays for it ....
a couple of times a week no stress nice showers
if kids have a melt down and want to leave after 5 mins, who cares, go back the next day

for me to take mine swimming worked out at £11 per trip at the local baths
DLL is a bargain compared with that

Ours is about £200 a month. I'm going to cancel it as it's not worth it.

My family were members of our local
David Lloyd for a few years when I was growing up, my sister and I loved it - our close friends / neighbour family were also members and our parents used to take it in turns taking and chaperoning us. Until I got old enough to do it and they just bundled us out at the door 😂

We probably used it more than my parents did! In fact I'm sure we did - my Dad hates gyms and, having always had a tummy, took exception to some of the "fit family" judging that went on. We very much were there for fun and not sporting prowess and I think he hated feeling looked down on as the poor fatties who couldn't afford the new Nikes or top flight racquets... only thinking this now in retrospect, though!

Back on the rose tinted memories... Not sure how the rules are now but it used to be when you were 12 you could use the jacuzzi / steam room etc, and the gym at 14. This was fab and a real treat for me 😊

We went to badminton and tennis clubs but mostly spent time swimming. The showers were great and it was fun and social for us both.

Outdoor pool in the summer was amazing - we would spend full days at the club during the holidays just using the "free" aspects. We had racquet membership and were terrible at both badminton and tennis but it was great fun.

It was only when I got to about 14/15 and more into music and my studies, my sister less bothered by going and my parents working more meant we cancelled our membership. Ie if we didn't go 3 times a week it wasn't worth it and we all knew it. If you're happy to stick to this I'd say go for it - it's definitely a part of my childhood I look back on fondly!!

It was worth it for us, only place I could take disabled DS2 without feeling like sardines cramped in a tin. It’s worth it if you use it as a members club, it reminded me of an American style country club rather than a gym. It was very good when the kids were young and did lots of activities.

For us, me DH and three dds in the Glasgow one it worked out at about £350 a month! I thought that was expensive! That’s the Glasgow one.

We go to Nuffield which is £69 a month for all of us and they do offer kids classes included in the price. I just couldn’t justify that a gym membership cost twice my monthly car payment!

I would shop around and see what else there is as you might be surprised

We are about to sign up purely because of the kids club.
I think £45 a week for 4 people (in our case) to go swimming as much as you want plus use the gym/classes whilst someone else looks after the children is an absolute bargain.
DH was saying yesterday that they have an offer at the moment where you can sign up for just 3 months to see if you use it. Worth a go I think before joining for the full 12 months.