To think a David Lloyd membership isn't worth the money?

[cactusdog]

Just that really. I have been looking at it for my family (myself, husband, toddler) and other than the pool and 10 free tennis lessons then access to courts, it doesn't really seem worth the massive amount of money?
Like if you were paying that in America I think the service would be so much better but they don't seem particularly friendly at my local one anyway 🤷‍♀️
And the kids classes/lessons aren't even included in the price!

I used to live near a lovely David Lloyd gym, well worth the money as I used to go at least 4 times a week for a couple of hours. I've since moved house and joined a no frills gym as it's the most convenient location. It's okay, but I really miss having a pool, plus all the classes, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, nice showers and cafe that my old David Lloyd gym had.

The lack of clear pricing is annoying with David Lloyd though, I used to pay £64 per month, so about £16 per week, or £4 per visit if I went four times a week. Worth it to me.

I go to a Better gym. £45pm including around 15 classes a day between 6.45am-8.15pm (spin, body pump, yoga, Pilates etc). Massive gym with a huge free weights area.

They have two pools, one for lane swimming and a children’s pool. DC’s lessons are about £8 each which taught DS well enough to compete at IAPS & Kent Primaries. There is a crèche which I’ve not used for years but was about £3 ph.

They also have a separate spa area with jacuzzi and sauna just for adults, as well as a coffee shop.

I’m really happy with it and I’ve joined so many gyms over the years.

I love mine- it’s far quieter than the other gym in town, a council one which has basic equipment and booming music. Great variety of equipment in the gym which I use at least twice a week and never have to queue for anything. I’ve also been really impressed with their Covid measures; plenty of space and sometimes more staff than members in there.

The pool is also beautiful and amazing in summer when they take the roof off so you’re basically swimming in a rose garden. Go on a weeknight evening in summer when all the families have gone home, bliss! It also has a lake and plenty of grounds.

The only class I use is running club but this is well run and there are lots of other class options at good times if I wanted to use them. Battlebox outside looks particularly good.

I think ours is one of the smaller ones so one the cheaper side (140 for a couple, no racquets) but I use it between 3-5 times per week, so around £4 a visit.

The only other gym in town the council one has a less well equipped gym, much fewer class options and none at good times and often restricted swimming to accommodate hours and hours of kids lessons. DL zone their pool so there are always 2 lanes available. Council also have very limited offerings in Covid and didn’t reopen until 2 months after they were allowed. Council gym is £50per month, DL £70, I think it’s worth the extra in comparison.

In my dream world, our DL is one that gets picked to get the next spa upgrade...

Is there a virgin active near you? They are slightly cheaper than david lloyd but still good facilities. I prefer Virgin over DL

It's expensive to keep the oiks out and limit the numbers so members can use the facilities instead of waiting for stuff.

I don't have a DL near me but I use the most expensive gym for the same reasons

What you are actually saying is that you only want to use a fraction of the facilities offered within the price. We pay over £200 a month for a top tier club health and fitness (so no tennis). It includes any classes (there are dozens), gym, pools and use of the cafe etc.

I only use the pool and spa, DH only uses the gym. That’s our choice. Some people use multiple classes etc every day so they do get better value but that’s their choice.

Sounds as if a pay as you go membership elsewhere would suit you better?

Actually it also encourages me to swim regularly because I am a bit of a tightwad and do like to get some value. I make a cross on the calendar for each swim I take to keep a tally.

We have been members for years.
Yes it is expensive, but it is a luxury we can afford and we don't spend much money on alcohol, clothes, makeup etc.

I value it for:

• nice changing rooms, clean, decent changing area, lockers where you change, hairdryers
• empty pools - usually I can get a lane to myself when swimming
• quiet club area

(- plus added bonus they know what a woman is)

We have just frozen our membership as we don't feel happy swimming again yet, but I'm really missing it.

I think it really depends how you use the facilities. There isn’t one near enough to me now and it wouldn’t work for me I don’t think but when we were child free, we’d go and do the gym, have a swim then use the steam room/jacuzzi before grabbing lunch. It worked really well for us. When I moved away, I joined a different gym closer to work and did a class most evenings. Now with small children, I’d struggle to justify the costs for the time. Exercise is general much more functional. I’m also paying anyway for kids swimming and tennis lessons. I think when the youngest was perhaps 8 we’d get more out of a DL type set-up.

I think the best ones though are places where there is a gym attached to a spa in a hotel. I’d pay for one if those over a DL.