Does anybody use PureGym?

[SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense]

I'm <this> close to joining but just wanted to check I won't be the only out of shape 50-something there? I saw something online that suggested it was mostly for young, fit things.
I want cheap and cheerful - I am recovering from an injury and haven't done any exercise at all for a good 5 months. I basically want to access a cross-trainer and a treadmill, and frankly I don't much care if I'm the only oldie for that, but I am open to the idea of classes too as long as I don't stand out like a sore thumb
I could go and stake it out and watch who goes in and out! But thought I'd ask here

DH and I go early in the morning and a bit later on Saturday morning and we are defo not the only older, out of shape people in there
We tend to just use the cardio section upstairs, the young, fit people seem to congregate in the downstairs free weights area but to be honest even then there are plenty of older people there

That's all I needed to know, thanks! Although I am not an early morning person

It should be fine. I used to use Pure Gym, now use The Gym which is similar. There are all ages there.

I've been a member for a year. It's a mix of people depending on the time you go - 8pm ours is full of groups of teen lads on the weight machines, later on is muscley men on the free weights. I found it intimidating when I first went but a few months in and I have as much right to the gym as them and I act and feel a lot more confident. No idea about earlier in the day as I've never made it before work!

I've only done a few classes, but those tend to be mainly female attendees and a range of ages and shapes.

I go puregym, its a cheap no frills gym and can be exactly what you want it to be. Variety of classes, you can attend 24/7 but theres no pool at my one. Equipment like stairmasters that you just wouldn't buy at home. Its not manned by a reception so you need your phone to scan in. Range of ages and shapes!

Thanks @xB1991x I have zero interest in a pool so that suits me! My much fancier DD goes to Total Fitness but I can't justify the price

I used it a long time ago when it first opened! There was a real mixture of ages and people at all levels of fitness, but it’s not like paying for a proper gym membership where you’d have an induction, and proper run-through of how to use equipment, I would see a lot of people using the equipment incorrectly and were either doing nothing to improve their fitness or asking for an injury. I went to an inner city one and you had a lot of young poser men go and just do weights, and you’d get a lot of young girls scantily clad, and probably mums in their thirties doing the classes together. If you know what you’re doing and will just get on with it then you’ll be fine and it saves a lot of money.

I've been to many, many PureGyms. Until 7/8pmish on weekdays, they're perfectly fine. After that, they become a youth club. But even then, if you're on the stepper or whatever it'll be fine because the youth club is held in the weights area and is quite good value to watch while you do your cardio!

I use PureGym three times a week. Great gym. Value for money. It's a mixture of different people, so don't worry, no one will pay attention to your age/ shape as no one cares.

Three attempts at theft from lockers at PureGym Winchester that I am aware of in two months. The latest resulted an a locker door being levered off it's hinges. The staff claim that there have never been any attempted thefts from Winchester Gym.

Yeah - I have a PT for an hour a week, I have her for an hour at her home too working on my balance and coordination and technique (I’m dyspraxic) and go to classes 3 times a week when I can.

it’s basic - it’s better than doing nothing - I joined david Lloyd and hated it and couldn’t justify the cost. At all.

I really like my pure gym. I’m mid 40’s and started very overweight - I have lost quite a bit now though. I went in the gym to start but do loads of classes now.
classes are mostly women with a few men and tend to be older - we all get on really well, know each others name etc… they’re quite a good laugh (so far as exercise goes). Generally older but attendees start at mid 20s I’d say.
the gym is a mix depending on time and area - free weights tend to younger blokes, cardio women etc…
mine is very friendly and welcoming - I never felt out of place even when I first started.
I found David Lloyd worse for posers etc… and the cost was huge. Pure gym is so much better value if you want a gym (and not a social club with bar, restaurant, pools etc).

I’ve just started at The Gym. I’m early 60s, unfit and a bit overweight but there’s all ages, shapes and sizes there.

I had a day pass for Puregym recently and went to have a nosy around. I booked onto an induction and then a womens weightlifting workshop back to back byt nobody else booked them and I ended up having a PT to myself for an hour taking me round lots of the machines - I've always stuck to free weights so wanted to see how they worked. This was about 7pm and the gym was very busy with a very mixed crowd. Lots of people in their 20s on the free weights, lots of massive gym bros who seemed very friendly, quite a few older people mainly on the cardio machines. I ended up staying for a spin class which was mainly women in their 40s like me.

Seemed a nice friendly gym. Not many leg machines which was the only downside. Definitely fine for what you're looking for.

I also have a membership for a well equipped council run leisure centre and have been going in the daytimes as I'm currently between jobs. It's almost entirely populated by a 40+ crowd between about 10am and 4pm. Might be another option for you?

I go to pure gym, I chose it due to the price and the fact it’s just round the counter from where I live.

at times there are a lot of kids. They can be annoying as they’re not very self aware and tend to sit on machines on their phones or just standing around them chatting in groups whilst not actually doing anything for quite long periods of time. Though watching skinny teenage lads admiring their “guns” in the mirrors is kind of amusing. On the whole though they’re ok.

early evening from Jan-April tends to have the most kids. As summer comes around they tend to drop off. If you can get there during the day you’ll see an older demographic. I go on my lunch break sometimes and there are very few youngsters there. The classes tend not to attract the really young ones. You have to be 18 to do the classes and in practice the majority are mid 20s and older.

so I wouldn’t let it put you off. I think it’s very good value for money compared to a lot of gyms.

I’ve been to one a few times (temporary membership) and i didn’t like this particular one. Grubby, disinterested staff, poor classes and equipment not returned. But I am sure they vary.

My council gym is a similar price and is great with engaged trainers and great classes.

My local PureGym is like a youth club in the evenings. It's quite amusing to watch them all peacocking to the opposite sex.

However, we are invisible to teenagers. We do not exist to them. So don't worry - go in there, do your workout and then leave.

Mornings are much calmer.