David Lloyds, not just a gym... (David Lloyd Health and Fitness Club)

Member Name: abercrombie92

Product:	David Lloyd Health and Fitness Club
Date:	15/06/09 (450 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: -

Disadvantages: -

Exercise, the one thing that everyone should have time for, but the one thing that most people avoid. I for one, love exercise. It's the only time where I'm completely focussed on the moment and not caring about any outside problems, so the gym is one of my favourite places! It's not only the exercise that makes me so happy at the gym, but the whole atmosphere that David Lloyds boasts, it makes the whole experience 100% pleasurable.

I'd been looking into joining David Lloyds for the past 8 months, but never really fully looked into it as I have home gym equipment so that was enough for me, but when my mum told me that she was going to join, I jumped on board and went for the club tour with her. We were met and the front desk by a lovely lady called Roz who was going to show us round and give us all of the information we'd need before deciding whether to become members or not. After an hour of laughing and giggling with Roz whilst looking at all of the facilities, we found ourselves in the coffee shop/bar/restaurant with complimentary drinks - this was where we made our final decision.
Deal or No Deal?
Join or don't join?

We joined. We are now fully fledged members of David Lloyds, and here's why.

Facility Overview (Aberdeen Club)
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5 indoor tennis courts
2 outdoor tennis courts
4 badminton courts
Multi sports courts
Open plan gym
Spinning bike area
Free weights area
Stretching area
2 aerobic studios
25m indoor swimming pool
Kid's indoor splash pool
Sauna
Steam room
Indoor whirlpool
Restaurant and Bar
TV lounge
Function Suite
Saks Hair and Beauty Salon
Internet cafe
Soft play area
Nursery


Changing Areas
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The changing areas in this gym are large and spacious. Not only this, but they are spotless. If you are a visitor going on a personal tour of the club, you are made to wear overshoes so you don't drag any muck throughout the changing areas, then poolside etc. If you are a member, you have full use of the changing areas which include over 200 large, secure lockers, changing cubicles that are also suitable for people with disabilities, plugs for straighteners etc, built in hairdryers, mirrors, swimsuit dryer, sinks, toilets, showers, shampoo...the works. It is very clear that the changing areas are cleaned regularly and the club members obviously take pride in the facilities.


Gym Area
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The gym area is also large and spacious, which is great for a gym, no one wants to be squished up next to another sweaty person, huh? There are plenty of machines such as treadmills, ellipticals, rowing machines and any other cardiovascular machine you can think of. These are strategically positioned with half of them facing a wall with 4 televisions - each showing different channels. The machines on this side of the room all have earphones which are attached to the televisions so you can choose which channel you want to watch. on the other side of the room are the same machines, but with mp3/ipod docking systems.
Right next to the music machines (my little nickname for them), are the aerobic studios. These are large and filled with mirrors (like a dance studio). The pialtes/dance/yoga/etc classes all take place in these studios.
As you progress through the gym (past the cardio vascular section), you meet the spinning class area. A small section of the gym with 20 spinning bikes where the classes take place.
To the left of this is the weights area and to the right is the power plate area and stretching area.
I told you it was huge!


Swim/Spa
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The swimming pool and spa area is attached to the changing area (naturally). As you step into the pool area, you see the large 25m pool with 3 marked off lanes and the rest of the pool is left open. The kid's splash pool is at the bottom of the pool and there are windows into the TV lounge and into the Aberdeen fields.
At the end of the pool (opposite from the kid's pool) is the spa area. This is a large whirlpool which is split into 5 sections, 2 are hot and bubbly, 2 are warm and have jets and then the centre has two massage jets that you can position yourself under to give yourself a lovely hydro-massage. The jets, bubbles and massage jets are all controlled by buttons at the side of the spa are.
On the right side of the whirlpool is the steam room. This is large and steamy (big shock there!), it plays peaceful music and has colour changing lights to relax you. On the opposite side is the sauna, it too plays peaceful music and has colour changing lights, but doesn't have the steam. I like to do some stretching in the sauna as it is better for my muscles.


Bar and Restaurant
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Just like the rest of the gym, this is large and fully stocked with fruit, vegetables, water, juice, crisps, cakes, alcohol and serves meals throughout the day. Next to the bar is a costa coffee shop and the internet cafe. The food and service is wonderful and fully worth the money.


Staff
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Each member of staff I've encountered has been extremely helpful and friendly. They always ask how your day has been and are always there if there is a problem. Just what you need to relax yourself before/after a workout - a nice friendly face to chat to.


Membership Details
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There are 4 levels of membership.

Vantage - the highest level of membership, this provides you with access to every David Lloyds club/spa, 10% discount on food and drink, free towels and one free guest pass per month.

Full - full access to all club facilities.

Health & Fitness - access to all gym, swimming and spa facilities.

3 month membership - flexible membership with full use of all facilities, contact your local club for more information about this membership.

My mum and I have a joint vantage membership that we split the cost of. I'm £37 per month and my mum is slightly more I think - don't ask me why because I don't really know.


Opinion
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Joining David Lloyds has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I've met wonderful new people, totally changed my body shape, improved my fitness and the added incentives for joining are a little added bonus. Every club member gets a discount voucher for Saks - this is worth roughly £300 but can't be used as gift vouchers or sold for money.
If you asked my mum, she'd tell you the exact same thing, we're extremely happy being part of the club and our friends have noticed how much we enjoy it that they've joined too! We're like a little pack of gym bunnies. Me and my best friends. My mum and her best friends.

I really do advise that if you are looking to join a gym, you head to your nearest David Lloyd as they can accommodate for everyone. Whatever your budget, whatever your needs, they can do it all.

Thanks for reading!
********** << that's my 10 stars because 5 just isn't enough.

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