AIBU to wonder why David Lloyd gyms are so expensive?

[UndertheCedartree]

I go to a DL gym and interested as to the reasons for it being just so expensive? My thoughts are certainly round here there is no competition. We have lots of the basic gyms and a semi-council run leisure centre. The basic gyms are fine but not all the equipment DL has and I do also like the wide range of classes at DL at multiple times. Also there is no pool and my favourite thing is swimming. And of course they are not family friendly. Then the leisure centre I used for a while but myself and my DC couldn't get along with it. The pool was so crowded and noisy, the changing rooms wet and cold with grotty showers. We are all autistic so sensory issues really affect us. The gym is ok, a few classes. Then the spa was ok - basic sauna, steam and jacuzzi but separate to the pool so if I wanted to do swim and spa had to get changed then undressed again in between. It was also small and full of men talking loudly and I never felt comfortable. So with this all in mind David Lloyd became the only option.

Also interested if you think the high price is worth it. I pay over £200 a month for myself and my daughter. Overall I think it is worth it for me as it massively helps my mental health as well as physical of course. I make good use of it using the weights and cardio in the gym a couple of times a week. I do a class and swim 3 times a week. I play netball. Also swim with my daughter, play badminton and pickle ball, sometimes do a family class. We both have friends there. I also go to seminars such as the Female health series they are doing right now. We also enjoy the seasonal parties and activities and my daughter does some kids club activities. I like being able to use the spa and adult lounge when without my daughter but equally enjoy the family friendly spaces with DD. It is a huge stretch financially, though.

I've been a DL member for over 15 years. I've just thought about it and it's just hit me the number of friends and friendship groups I've become a part of through DL.

It's so much more than a gym to me. As a matter of fact, that's the least important criteria for me! DL is my place to work in the winter when it's freezing cold and don't want to have the heating on all day at my house and it's been the same this week because of the heat! It's become my second home over the years. It helps I'm only 10mns cycling from it.

I'm also very lucky that as a long term member, I am paying half that of new members.

Also worth adding that they really do put a lot of investment to improve and develop their centres. However, I've been very surprised at the difference between clubs across the UK. Oxford is getting a very low deal!

Part of their model is that it is priced highly because it keeps the riff raff out.

Sounds awful but they're trying to telegraph a premium experience where you won't be exercising next to every Tom Dick or Harry. It's like designer shops charging a fortune for a dress that cost a few quid to make. It's about what paying that price conveys to customers. You sign up to DL and feel all fancy like you've made it and get to be around other middle class people.

I'm sure some will say I'm overthinking it but I 100% believe it's part of their strategy. You won't get anyone poor using a gym voucher from the NHS.

If you think anyone who is not wealthy pays David Lloyd membership fees you have no idea of your own privilege and no idea what being wealthy means. Everyone who is blinded to their privilege defines "wealthy" as "a bit richer than I am" but if you can even consider David Lloyd membership you are definitely in the wealthiest quintile of the population and probably the wealthiest decile.

What to have a spare £200 a month?

Local DL SE London is £250 a month per person

I don't think that necessarily follows. It's £200 pm/£2400pa (?) Is everyone who has an annual holiday and eats out once a month wealthly? People prioritise different things.

Suggest it to them. I think a few clubs offer it.

I know people who would say membership of a DL gym is extortionate, but then spend twice that on takeaways and eating out. You don’t have to be wealthy, just have different priorities

My David Lloyd is about £100 per month. I do tai chi every week there, and aqua aerobics 4 times a week. If I did that at a local leisure centre I would be looking at about £75 per month. But on top I get to swim, use the spa, the gym whenever I want.

I'm retired and so are a lot of the people who use it during the day. Many are absolutely not well off but are prioritising their health. For a lot of people it's an absolute life line - i know several women who are widowed and basically spend the day there.

It comes down to what you want.

Is the outdoor pool heated at DL?

For our family, it absolutely has been worth it. Our kids are now adults, but we joined when they were at the toddler and preschool age. Having a place to take them in all weathers for fun and exercise was a blessing. All through primary school, we used it as our after school space. Sandwiches in the car after school pick up, then off to DL for one of the kid activities or classes. They learned to swim there (that’s extra £, but only while they are learning), and to try all sorts of sports. Our use continues to change over the years, now I have more time in the day I tend to spend a morning there. Gym, a class, coffee, time in the spa. Meet friends for lunch.
It’s great for WFH days, as a change of scene from our small home office.
And in the current heatwave, we can just pack a bag and spend the day there, enjoying some air conditioned freshness.
Reading back it sounds like I work for them, I really don’t, but have been a happy member for 15+ years.

Because it’s better. I’m a member of council gyms. I pay £22 a month and go to the gym 3x a week plus pilates, yoga and aquafit/swiming that’s less than a pounds a session. The gyms are fab and the changing rooms are fine but the swimming area is pretty scruffy and not clean.
Our nearest ‘posh’ gym is a Nuffield but it’s £70 a month and i can’t justify it

It’s a shit gym if you’re actually an athlete. I was there for years and was LOSING strength (weightlifter). Switched to another local gym which has a pool, steam and sauna rooms, massage, cafe with bar and every type of weights and equipment you can imagine. Even has Pilates and yoga and a pro boxer coach. Monthly at DL I was (I think as I paid in one) around £120pm. New gym (been here two years now) without the fancy branding is… £56 a month. DL is a crap gym but a great country club (in my area anyway). Not worth the coin.

If you think anyone who is not wealthy pays David Lloyd membership fees you have no idea of your own privilege and no idea what being wealthy means
You would not believe the number of people who pay the annual fee and put it on their credit card. My gym is full of young college students. They live DL because it's not packed like the cheap ones available. They think it's worth it.

Yes, the indoor and outdoor pools are heated.

@Preworkouttingle, not sure where you are but I've heard exactly the opposite about weight facilities.

Surely it is just to comes down to it being a gatekeeper for the membership.

As others have said I think you answered it. For me it isn’t worth it as I’m not particularly interested in swimming or the gym. I love classes though & spend a fair bit on individual ones & use at home things. I would like to join a gym again and have one fee but a lot don’t have the range of classes I like. I was a member of Virgin & that was great but I moved.

Haven't RTFT but I think your first question on why they are expensive has been answered.

On your second question - are they worth it? - I'm not a member as there are none local to where I live (rural) but my mum (in her 70s) has been a member for over 20 years. I think she has a good deal as a former NHS employee and long-term member. She goes every day I think, sometimes twice, for yoga classes, and also enjoys the pools, particularly the outdoor one when open. I enjoy going on the occasional guest pass when I visit and I love the experience. I think that if you get good use out of the facilities then it's really worth it as long as you can afford it. That's the same as any gym membership, but they do have more to offer than the average gym or leisure centre.

One of my colleagues is a member & happily spends all day there so worth it for her, I don’t have the time.

Surely location makes a difference? My closest one is nearly £200 a person & that’s the from price. Family would be £500 plus…

You've kinda answered your own question tbh. Its expensive foe all the things you pointed out!

I'm also a DL member, I go 6 times a week for the sheer variety of classes that are on. The kids go a few times a week. Its safe, it's clean, the staff are amazing. The facilities are excellent (where else are you going to get a gym with inside and outside pool?!). Your membership is more than mine so I'm guessing you are at one of the higher tiered ones as well.

My pilates studio is unlimited £200 a month. No pool.

I mean it’s a lifestyle isn’t it. My MIL spends a huge amount of time there but mainly drinking coffee.

My DL.has an outdoor pool, spa, padel and tennis courts, a lovely cafe terrace. I use it a minimum three a week and it feels like being on holiday when I go up there. It's my luxury and my personal priority.