David Lloyd - anyone else not impressed?

[RosieRed2]

My friend is trying to convince me to join - I’ve done a trial day and didn’t find the gym all that impressive if I’m honest given it’s over £100 a month! Are there any members on here who can convince me it’s worthwhile?

There are quite a few branches of it aren’t there? Maybe your local one just doesn’t suit you

My dh has just cancelled his membership as prices just kept jumping up with no corresponding jump in quality. Also, class times changed that didn't suit and he wasn't getting value for money.

He's joining my council run gym for £30 less per month and can use any facilities in the local authority

How much was he paying for DL if you don’t mind me asking? I find them very coy around pricing

The one he was at was a Fitness First then a Virgin Active gym before it changed to David Lloyd. His prices are a bit lower than most probably but were set to increase. Think he was at £83 per month (scotland) but his gym didn't have a swimming pool

It depends what you want from a gym really. It is expensive, and I’ve not been happy with the way that the prices have gone up over the last couple of years.

But ...

• it has a good pool, unlike other gyms near by
• parking is plentiful, also unlike other gyms near by
• a lot of money has been spent on updating the gym and adding a spa in the last couple of years

These were the things that were important to me. I’m not a regular user of the gym, so can’t really comment on that - although it’s big, with lots of new/recent equipment

Edited to say: I’m waiting to see what happens with fees next year, and whether or not I will revise my opinion!

Brighton Marina was around £160 monthly for the platinum tier last year and then a joining fee of around £150. It's not worth it, their facilities aren't great.

I was a member and it was about £120 per month for me and my 5 year old.

I moved and haven’t joined near me because it was even more expensive. I think they’re going round and doing them up to include spas and more amenities but the corresponding jump in price compared to the facilities I’ll actually regularly use was prohibitive

The prices are to keep the riff raff out. Depends what you want from gym membership but in our city the LA membership is about £40 a month to use all pools, gyms, classes etc. I appreciate we are probably pretty lucky as most are fairly new and well run.

The gender based changing rooms would make it a big fat no from me anyway.

I'm a member of my local David Lloyd. I was at a pure gym before. It really depends on what facilities you use, if you just use the gym, no way is David Lloyd worth it. You have to use lots of the other facilities and use them frequently before it becomes worth it and even then, it still might not be worth the money.

You pays your money, you takes your choice. I would advise anybody to think very carefully about the other local options before joining a David Lloyd.

I've not noticed any real difference between the people going to Pure Gym and the people going to David Lloyd.

I would advise against David Lloyd as they make it impossible for you to cancel your membership. Honestly impossible!

It’s £300+ where I am a month for a couple without racquets/tennis

£300 per month - Jesus H Christ😳

What do you want from a gym and what do they offer? Are you paying for facilities you won’t even use.
If I pay annually my LA gym is £22 for all classes and gyms in 4 venues. And swimming in 2 (but fun pools so not much use).

I do really like my local DL, especially the outdoor pool, and I used to be a member years ago, but it's just too expensive now. The joining fee alone is eye-watering, anc o hate the excessive notice period you have to give. I'd rather do pay as you go at my local leisure centre and support that.

We use it due to the kids clubs, it really increases how often I can go to the gym. I think we pay about £250 for 2 adults and a child. Ours has a heated outdoor pool as well

Our local one has got a fab outdoor pool but I cancelled my membership as I just couldn't justify £120 a month for just swimming. It was also a 30 minute drive each way. They're due to open another one nearer next year, so I may try that one if they put an outdoor pool in.

Mine is a smaller club and therefore cheaper, with my corporate discount it’s more like £65 per month. The council gym is £55 and we do have an Anytime Fitness but it’s £40 and has nothing but a gym alone.

David Lloyd seem to regularly invest in the facilities- massive gym upgrade during Covid and pool and studios being refurbished this yeah, to add in Reformer studios, new cycling studies etc. Also a lovely terrace, outdoor cafe, the whole place is significantly nicer than other gyms in the town and really not much of a price jump.

Indeed. I pay £32 a month to use the excellent gym, pool, etc at my council-run leisure centre and can use any of theirs throughout the authority.

We have been members for years and it is £££ but worth it.

Ours is a premium club and has a lovely spa, outdoor pool, tennis courts. Just added padel. I do the classes and use the gym. The DC play tennis and swim and meet their friends there. We sometimes work from there. You can use other DLs around the country and abroad which is very handy if you're travelling or driving the DC to far away sports events which we do a lot.

My dh has nearly managed it but they need 3 months notice to do it! His membership ends at the end of this month

Our local one if full of zone 4 chavs. I wouldn’t hang out there if you paid me.

Mine is a low tier DL club so it's not as expensive as some. For me it's worth it for the swimming pool and location. I think there are much cheaper options if you just want a gym.

I am a member and I feel their price is high especially for single people (whereas families, and people who use the club as a free office / workplace, benefit disproportionately). And I don’t like the lack of transparency about fee levels. But for me, personally - I only use the pools and I really like the large indoor and outdoor pools and the Aquafit classes, and the easy access for members, plus the handy nearby location, and the excellent parking facilities. No other provider would meet my needs except local leisure centre, but that is much busier and prone to sudden closures, lack of staff, etc.