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.

Nah they have minimal REAL equipment. Not enough squat racks. Dumbbells are not heavy enough (small range of weight), not enough machines and the machines are usually a cheap brand. A good weight gym will have Panatta, Hammerstrength, Cerberus and ample cable machines. My DL had a few bars and 2 squat racks. Rammed with treadmills. Horses for courses it’s a shit gym if you want to be a serious lifter but perfect for someone who does a bit of cardio then lunches. New gym has dumbbells up to 100kg, 12 squat racks and a huge array of equipment for lifting. Full of massive dudes it’s a good vibe DL just wasn’t a good fit for me 🤷‍♀️

I couldn't justify a DL membership. It's also not quite close enough so I was going to the council pool but that has very restricted free swimming hours and you have to be up at midnight to book a class. I discovered that a hotel nearby with a small leisure facility lets you go for just a swim for £6. Life changing!

Why is anything priced the way it is? Because posers people will pay it🤷‍♀️

I think it’s because it’s so child friendly. I’m a member of a lovely adult only gym with a pool and spa. It’s less than half the price of my local DL.

Our local DL is full of chavs tbh as they are all families where the dad most likely makes a ton doing a trade, off the books - it's definitely not an "exclusive" club round here, every Range Rover driver and his dog is a member.

I go to Everyone Active and we have the same instructors as at DL but IMO better classes as they have Les Mills which I like

I’m a member of a lovely adult only gym with a pool and spa. It’s less than half the price of my local DL
Does it have an outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi, tennis and padel courts? Does it have a restaurant that offers decent meals, a working area, childcare for kids?

Not all David Lloyd clubs offer all that. Mine doesn't offer any sports or outdoor pool for example.

@Preworkouttinglecurious to know what people are doing with 100kg dumbbells ??

How are they 'mugs' if they get value from the facilities though? I work mine out on a cost per use basis and it's about £6 per visit (although I am a long standing member on one of the 'cheaper' memberships.... Still not really cheap though.)

I have been a member of DL since it was Esporta…so 20 years.I pay a lot less than new members.

I only go for the outside pool and I go every evening all year round.

Ours has a new spa and the behaviour in it beggars belief,I have stopped going in.It is like Love Island…just awful.

This week I did an Aqua class followed by afternoon tea,(it was fabulous.)So I was there in the day,unusual for me.The place was heaving,because of schools being shut and the weather.

The outdoor pool was packed,how it was deemed safe I have no idea.Kids shrieking,jumping in when it is not allowed,just awful.Lots of people work from there,so numerous tables for 4 had 1 person on their laptops,then shouting on calls.

There is never any attempt to discourage the bad behaviour.

If it wasn’t for the outside pool I would be gone,but there are no others near me ,except open water swimming and I like the water heated!

How anyone thinks it is “middle class” ,is beyond me,more like chav central.

@CoverLikelyZebraobviously if you can afford a pricey gym membership you’re privileged and have more money than those living on the breadline, but I wouldn’t class myself as ‘wealthy’ at all. I earn considerably less than my colleagues and peers - I’m a very average earner. Priorities also come into it - I shop at Lidl, don’t be branded stuff, very rarely buy/ drink alcohol, rarely eat out, don’t vape, cheap cosmetics and haircuts, clothes come from vinted etc.

Used to go years ago pre-kids and when DD was a baby. It’s a big notch up even from Virgin.
Toure going loads do I think it represents value for money. Conversely DH belongs to Pure which is down the road from us but seldom goes as he’s too busy (and so waste of money at £40 pcm).

Farmers walk, bent over rows and shoulder press or wood chop. For powerlifting that’s doable. They do less reps though. My gym partner uses them to lift and hold while shrugging his shoulders (builds the muscle fast and strong). Not as common to see them used admittedly. I’ve loaded them onto sleds to pull too (saves using about 20 plates other people will inevitably need while I’m working).

Lots of gypsy types at my local DL. I quite like them actually. They keep it real and they congregate in packs with kids. Mums. Grandads. By the outside pool. And have a lovely time. It’s expensive. And they make good use of it!

I'm jealous of the 10 min cycle!

No, I'm really not.

I agree. I don't buy takeaways or eat out except on a birthday. I don't go anywhere to socialise. If my DD wants to do an activity with a friend we bring them to DL on a guest pass and they can swim or play badminton etc. I do sometimes buy them a kids meal. I have a coffee sometimes. I don't smoke, only have a glass of wine occasionally. Don't spend money on regular holidays or nails etc. My daughter does all her clubs at DL so no extra cost. But I do invest in our mental and physical health.

Yes

I think the facilities do vary at different DL a lot. I think there are 7 tiers. I'm not an athlete but I think our gym is pretty good. Much better than the other local ones anyway.

Ours definitely has more racks than that. There is a whole area for the more serious weightlifters. I don't know what the normal dumbells go up to but you have the ones you put the weights on so thought they would go up quite high. I've not used more than 25kg myself, though so can't fully comment! Glad you have found somewhere that suits you.

Does it not have tennis?

I certainly wouldn't be doing anything with one, let alone 2! 😂

Why is jumping in not allowed out of interest?

We used to have desks in the adult lounge and it could be far from relaxing! They have a separate business centre now which is better!

And I agree I like my water heated too!

I shop at Lidl too! I think some would be surprised at the actual income of some at DL. Yes, there are wealthy people there. There are also lots of lower income including some on minimum wage or benefits. I thoughtvI might feel a fraud going there but there are so many 'ordinary' people not that the wealthier people aren't nice too! (The ones I've met anyway.)

I think it’s a case of, you get what you pay for with David Lloyd. It’s expensive but better than the standard council run gyms.

My sister won a 3 month family pass in the school raffle (one of the mums works there) and it went over the summer holidays and she was loving life and when it ran out she was gutted as she didn’t have whatever the family membership costs were (I think nearly £400 for 2 adults and 2 kids) but they were an absolutely nightmare and she blocked them as the membership team were harassing her every day to “sign up” after her “membership had lapsed” thankfully they didn’t have her bank details but I get the feeling they would have tried to scam her!!!