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Original poster

Next Generation Gyms - anyone a member?

23 replies

poppyseed · 06/05/2006 21:11

Just wondered if anyone was a member of these gyms? We have a new one opening near to us that looks fab - so much so we've joined in readiness of it opening. Are they as good as they look?

OP posts:
snorkle · 06/05/2006 21:29

I went to a trial day at our local one and was v. disappointed in it to be honest. The indoor pool looked fantastic but was too hot for a serious or even medium-fast swim. Also no deep end, so no diving allowed. It missed the boat both as a leisure pool and as a serious pool in my opinion. The outdoor one was better, but you couldn't turn properly at one end.

The gym seemed very regimented - but then I'm really not into gyms at all (in fact thinking about it, given that, I'd be mad to have joined).

The courts were lovely, but quite a lot extra on the cost and no concept of a club night where you could turn up and have a game with whoever was about. You had to find your own partners of the right standard, I supose this might happen naturally with people you met there eventually, but I felt they could have done a lot more to facilitate it. Also seemed to be very high demand for courts in peak times and you had to book a week in advance.

I stuck with the local tennis club and pool at a fraction of the cost and suited me better. Loads of people rave though, so give it a go - you may well love it.

neena28 · 06/05/2006 21:30

I have just done the same. But have kind of had a sneak peek as my other half was doing some work at the site as was a good friend of ours and both say it looks very impressive. May I ask if you live near narborough? Am just hoping that it will be as good as the bloke said it would but haven't recieved any confirmation of joining yet even though it was quite a few weeks ago. Have you had a look at the website. I phoned another club (up north I think) and enquired about all their facilites etc and what activities they had for kids and it all sounded very promising.

neena28 · 06/05/2006 21:33

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calvemjoe · 06/05/2006 21:42

neena, I live near narbourgh and was planning on joining the new next generation club. Was planning on waiting till it had opened to have a good look round Grin

snorkle · 06/05/2006 21:49

This was several years ago now - not near narborough. I did get to try out a couple of the classes - one was some sort of cycling machine class and the other was something akin to pilates/yoga - lots of stretching in any case. The stretching one was OK (except I tended to get the giggles); the cycling one was nothing you couldn't do on an exercise bike in the gym at your own pace, or better still on a real bike outside... then again I never do, so maybe it wasn't such a bad idea? The classes are good if they suit you (both content and time-of-day wise).

cazzybabs · 06/05/2006 22:02

Most of the parents at my school and their kids (prep!!!) - I dream of being a member of next generation! It would be great, morning at the gym, lunch with more yummy mummies (not that I am a yummy mummy mind you but I would be if I were a member of NG!!!) and then back to pick the kids up!

neena28 · 07/05/2006 17:34

Poppyseed or calvemjoe let me know if you're ever going and we'll have to meet up...if you join!

Original poster
poppyseed · 08/05/2006 20:57

Sorry - been away!
Yes, I'm close to Narborough and have taken the plunge and joined! Give me a shout if you join too. Smile

OP posts:
neena28 · 08/05/2006 21:02

Poppyseed, Yep I've joined. Not entirely sure when it opens though...think it is early june or july.

Do you know? Have you had any information through the post yet. I spoke to the assistant manager I think but am yet to get anything through at all and it was weeks ago.

Do you have kids? My ds is 5yo and dd is 10 months. Am looking forward to taking dd for a swim during the day the most and maybe losing some weight at the classes. What about you?

JoPG · 08/05/2006 21:13

I belong to Next Generation in Dartford. I like it there, but as with anything of this kind it has got a few faults. After all, you can't please everybody all of the time.
Overall though I think it is pretty similar to David Lloyd, if you have ever been there.
DS1 loves the pool and it is great to have an outdoor pool, there is not another one anywhere near us. The changing rooms are always lovely and clean, not something that can be said of our local, council run pool.
However, IMO, the food is decidedly average and it really annoys me that there is only one baby changing unit in the whole place, and that is nowhere near a sink. If you've not got a lo in nappies this obviously won't be a concern for you though.
Let me know if there are any specific questions that I can help you with.

neena28 · 08/05/2006 21:19

JoPG, what are the classes like? Do they do a good selection of stuff like pilates and step at different times for different abilities? that's what I'm mainly after.

Thanks

beetle73 · 08/05/2006 21:21

I was a member of one and it was OK, but not brilliant - staff not wildly friendly, and swimming pool not huge. Was a bit pissed off when I suspended my membership for a while when i went away, then it got taken over by Harbour Club just after i got back. Membership went from 54 a month to 105, and I wasn't up for that, so the suspension payments were wasted, as I gave up the membership.

JoPG · 08/05/2006 21:31

Neena28 - if you go the the Next Gen website you can look at each different club and see what the class timetable is. This will give you a good idea what your new club will offer
\link{http://www.nextgenerationclubs.co.uk/\Next Gen Website}

Original poster
poppyseed · 12/05/2006 21:28

We've just left David Lloyd to join NG so this will be interesting!
We've got DD (7) and DS (3) so the baby change aspect won't irritate me now as much as it would have done then.....Lots of these clubs promote themselves as 'family' based but imo tolerate children rather than encourage them at all ages. I'll hold my tongue and wait until NG opens before I have a go though!
Neena - I drove up there today to see what else had been done - there's a lot of landscaping still to be done although DD was very excited as she saw some blue tiles in the outside swimming pool! WOW !!
I've had no communication from them at all - I think that they'll be pushing it personally to get it open for use by the 1st June, but we'll wait and see!
Are you a member anywhere at the moment?

OP posts:
schnapps · 29/07/2006 17:44

Well, the club in Narborough is definitely up and running now. Anyone been? What do you think? How much are the fees for adults/kids?

Burstingbugssurprisesender · 29/07/2006 17:48

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT

The kids and I have been about 4 times a week since it opened. The outdoor pools have been fab especially in this weather and if you go at 9 o clock in the morning or the night you get the place to yourself.

Kids have also been in the creche and had a brilliant time and the classes and food are great too. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Poppyseed what do you think?

Burstingbugssurprisesender · 29/07/2006 17:50

Sorry forgot to put prices I am paying £86 per month for me and ds with the upgraded celius membership. If you pay the extra £10 a month for the celius then you get a towel each time you go and also a guest pass every month so for me that means dp can come which he won't bother to otherwise as hates the gym etc.

By the way I'm neena28 but was about to post on the swapshop thread...don't tell burtsingbug!

schnapps · 29/07/2006 17:52

Do you know what the cheapest membership would be for me a dd?

Neena28 · 29/07/2006 17:57

How old is DD

Think it is £17 per month for ds (aged 5)

mine would be £59 I think without the celius upgrade.

If you want to join cat me as I think you get something if you join on a recommendation. IYSWIM?

Go and have a look round if you fancy it as they are very friendly. Where do you live? Do you think you could use it a few times a week? I think it's worth it as I swim so often and like the classes. My dd is 1 and can go in free until she's 2 or 3 so I'll see whether we still go enough for it to be worth joining her as well later on.

schnapps · 29/07/2006 18:05

Haruumph!! I'd love to be able to join, it sounds just like what me and dd(10) would enjoy, but really I know I can't afford it. We'd probably go a couple of times a week during term time but loads during the holidays. I think if I went for a trial day I'd either be swayed to join and then regret it later because of the cost, or I'd just leave crying!!

Steppy1 · 29/07/2006 18:11

..just been on their website after this thread...and found out aht they're planning to open one in Swindon next year !!! But then so are David Lloyd are they "secretly " part of the same group I wonder ???

Neena28 · 29/07/2006 18:19

Steppy1, Scott Lloyd (of next gen) is David Lloyd's son I think.

David Lloyd was sold a few years ago to one of the hotel chains i think.

Afaik they have nothing to do with each other business wise but I suppose would exploit the same market oppurtunities?

Even if David doesn't have any input into DL you would think he would help his son with tips for Next Gen??

Neena28 · 30/07/2006 17:43

Bump any narborough members about?

Poppy?

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