David Lloyd Edinburgh Newhaven

[FourSeasonsTotalLandscaping]

Is anyone a member of the David Lloyd at Newhaven or has recent experience of it? I live down by the Shore and don’t drive so I think it is my closest option for that sort of “all in” gym (I know there is a Pure Gym at Ocean Terminal).

I am 38, overweight (obese tbh) and very unfit. I walk a reasonable amount but don’t do any other exercise or have much of an idea how to start. I’ve been to a couple of one to one sessions of reformer Pilates at the Pilates Hub and enjoyed them massively but it’s very expensive and David Lloyd seems like it would be much better value.

I guess I’m looking for somewhere “nice” to go that would have classes suitable for an unconfident beginner.

Any suggestions? Should I just stick with walking and Pilates? I would be willing to try C25k on a treadmill but I can’t see ever taking up running outdoors especially in an Edinburgh winter!

I was a member a couple of years ago. For context, I'm in my 60s and overweight, probably less fit than you! I found it inclusive and friendly, but I didn't keep up my membership because it's expensive and I wasn't going there often enough to make it worth the money. I mostly used the outdoor swimming pool which is only open for half the year.

I think it counts as 'nice' and there are certainly beginners classes.

I've now joined Edinburgh Leisure - the council facilities - and I'm using my local centre much more than I ever used David Lloyd. The instructors there are so friendly, and there are far more classes I want to attend. Your closest venue is probably Leith, I don't think they have one in Newhaven. It costs a fraction of joining David Lloyd. Maybe try that and see how you get on?

Also consider Fitness Soul in Leith. Very small - not fancy - but super friendly, inclusive gym with great instructors and community feel.

You can also use the Edinburgh Leisure facilities without membership, just pay for the class or gym session. GPS can sometimes sign you up for the CAP scheme which means you have a year of access for £1 a time (eg as part of support with obesity).
But I can understand the appeal of a "naice" gym as well!

I don't have any experience of David Lloyd but I am a member of Edinburgh Leisure and the venues I go to seem really Inclusive - people of all shapes, sizes, ages, some in fancy outfits, others in joggers - it's definitely somewhere I feel comfortable.

Read their T&Cs very carefully as DL is notorious for having a long cancellation period.

I’d actually forgotten all about Edinburgh Leisure! I’ve had some bad experiences with them in the past re: kids classes and my autistic child so that puts me off them a bit, but it’s nice to hear reports of them being friendly gyms for adults.

Leith Victoria would be my nearest - does anyone use there? I think the gym has been done up recently. Are the classes good?

I don't use Leith Victoria myself, but I've just looked it up on the EL website and it looks as though you're right, it's just had a substantial refurb. You can find the timetable of classes on the website, just click on 'Timetable' and it'll give you a good idea of what there is, though this week might be different because of the school holidays.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/leith-victoria-swim-centre

I’ve been a member at Newhaven twice and Corstorphine, only cancelled because I now live in Fife and wasn’t getting there often enough but if I lived closer I’d be back. Great range of clashes and the setting is just lovely. The gym has great big windows looking over the water and the outdoor pool is fab when it’s open. I never found to go too busy either and found everyone very nice and friendly so I’m sure you’d fit in well.

Thanks all - I’ve signed up for a gym induction session at Leith Victoria later in the week. Being able to go on a PAYG basis seems like a good idea to see how it goes, at least for a while.

Hello @FourSeasonsTotalLandscaping - apologies for resurrecting your thread after a year, but I came across it whilst searching for MN reviews of David Lloyd Newhaven.

Can I ask how you got on/are getting on with Edinburgh Leisure? You sound very similar to me with respect to fitness etc. so would be good to know what they are like, particularly at Leith Vic. I've just done a two week trial at DL and if money were no object I'd join it in a heartbeat!

There’s a great new Pilates studio on the shore on Maritime Street I’ve been going to for a couple months called ‘maeve’. They do mat and reformer Pilates and barre. I always find them very welcoming and inclusive, a really nice studio space and they have memberships which bring down the cost of each class. Would recommend