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Winners 2000 Gym
by xx_nic_xx
The gym - nobody likes it do they? Exercising consciously in front of a group of sculpted men and women, the dreaded personal trainers, however, if you want to get or stay fit, what other options do you have? Home gyms cost thousands, workout DVDs end up in charity shops and running outside during the summer months is all well and good, ... but during the winter when it's minus 5, it's just not so appealing is it?
To that end, the gym always sounds like a good idea, and with so many gyms to choose from, it can be an important (and expensive) choice. After all, you don't just want a place with all the up to date equipment that does everything imaginable, first and foremost you need a place that you feel comfortable in, and Winners 2000 could be just the place.
Winners 2000 currently only have three locations in the UK, in Newton Abbot, Paignton and Torquay, all situated in Devon and having visited all three sites frequently for some time now, I feel obliged to give you a first hand view of what this gym has to offer.
*** Signing Up ***
Ok, so you've reached the first hurdle, you've plucked up the courage to join the gym and now all that's required is to register. This is incredibly simple and there are two methods - online or onsite. The online method takes around 5 minutes and will simply require all your generic information (name, address, phone number etc), before taking your bank details to set up the direct debit. This is the downside to the online registration - you need to put in your bank details immediately in order to complete the sign up process. This definitely isn't a good idea if you've never visited the gym before, as, although you do have a 7 day cooling off period where you're able to cancel the direct debit, as soon as you step foot in the gym, inside the 7 days or not, this right is void. Therefore it's wise to take a trip there, have a look around the gym, with or without a trainer before choosing to sign up online if you so wish. If you're not so technically minded, you may wish to sign up the old fashioned way, good old face to face, you'll simply have to give the instructor your details before he or she gives you a medical form to fill out (with the online process, you'll be given the form as soon as you visit the gym), this isn't a long and drawn out process, but it is of course a vital step in your registration.
Immediately after, you'll be presented with your Winners 2000 membership card, which will allow you access to the gym by swiping it upon entering, this will require having your picture taken, but your picture will not appear on the card. You will also be assigned a personal trainer, who will take you through an induction, this, however will not be immediate and you will have to book an appointment with them, they're very personable and have no qualms about giving you their mobile number for you to text or ring them about appointments.
That's all well and good you may be thinking, but you haven't told me the most important thing - the price. Ah yes, almost forgot about that one. The direct debit will set you back £29 a month for 24 months (you are contractually obliged to pay for the 24 months) and if the money does not come out of your account for whatever reason you'll be charged an administration fee of £25. The money will be debited from your account on the first day of every month and when your 24 months are up, Winners will continue to charge you unless you notify them that you no longer wish to continue. If you'd prefer to pay up front, then you'll be charged £245 for 12 months which is a significant saving if you work it out, however, if you're not 100% sure you'll make full use of the gym then I'd opt for the direct debit. The £29 a month gives you access to the gym whenever you like, for however long you like, with no restrictions. This also includes a number of classes. There are other memberships available, such as students, schools and 2 week holiday passes.
*** Rules ***
There are certain rules that Winners request their clients to observe and these must be strictly adhered to, such as putting equipment back where you found it, wiping benches after use with provided paper towels and spray and of course personal hygiene. The other rules really just follow the lines of common sense and decency (respecting others, no foul language etc).
*** Induction ***
So, you've signed up and you've booked your induction (every member must have an induction with a trainer), inductions last around 45 minutes to hour and will consist of being shown around the gym, being shown the correct techniques for equipment and they will create a workout/nutritional plan if you so wish.
*** Personal Trainers ***
There are numerous personal trainers available and when you sign up, you will be automatically assigned to one, however, you can change if there are any problems. Gender isn't an issue here, as they often match females with males and males with females, however, if you'd like somebody of the same sex, you've only to ask. All staff are friendly and highly motivated, always scattered around the gym actively helping people. They're not pushy, however, they will assess whether they think you want the help first, although if you're doing something incorrectly that could possibly end up in injury then they will approach no matter what.
Apart from a bit of help time to time, you can of course book sessions with your trainer, however, these are very expensive and you may want to stick to the routine given to you in your induction for a little while, before deciding that a trainer is necessary. 3 sessions with your trainer will set you back £59, whereas 5 sessions will cost you an impressive £89, so make sure it's what you really need before diving in as these sessions are only an hour each. Sessions are helpful though and although they may not be a permanent fixture during your workouts, they may aid your motivation when you join and thus can be very helpful.
*** Changing Rooms ***
Changing rooms vary depending on gender, I know that the men have a communal shower area (don't ask how, I just do!), whereas the females are treated to three separate shower cubicles. There's of course a lock on the door with a decent size space to change/dry and two hooks to hang your belongings up on. The walk in showers definitely are not cramped and the showers themselves are of a high quality and very powerful. There's soap provided in a dispenser which can be used on both hair and body, but it really doesn't lather enough for me, therefore I tend to bring my own shampoo/conditioner and shower gel.
There are numerous lockers and you'll always find space to leave your things, the only downside being that you'll need to either provide your own padlock (these are standard sizes and can be picked up from places such as Homebase or B&Q for around 99p), otherwise you'll be forced to purchase one from behind the desk which will set you back £5. Fortunately the Newton Abbot site is situated opposite Homebase, so if you do forget you won't be out of pocket after being forced to purchase another one. There are two types of lockers, big and small, the big ones are longer, but are a little limited width wise, so if you tend to bring a sports bag it may need to be pushed in somewhat before you can close the door.
The big downside to the changing rooms is the heat, infact, after a strenuous workout the heat from the changing rooms can make you feel dizzy and on the verge of passing out so I recommend a cold shower to sort that out. Besides that, the changing rooms are a decent size and always hygienic, so it's a thumbs up in this area.
*** Facilities ***
Starting off with a negative, the gym doesn't have a pool, which may be a downside for some, however, what it lacks in water it makes up for in everything else. The main gym floor is surprisingly spacious, you may not think it from the outside, but it's a very large space and there's never a feeling of claustrophobia. All equipment is modern, but most importantly easy to use and of course if you are stuck there are trainers scattered all over the place willing to help you. There's music in the background, loud enough for you to hear, but quiet enough to be drowned out by headphones if you so wish and there are numerous TV screens on the right side of the floor situated above the treadmills and the bikes.
All the equipment is pretty generic, you're unlikely to find anything here that you won't find in any other gym, but it's definitely of a high standard and a lot better than some other gyms offer and there's undoubtedly more of a range than some other gyms can boast of. During the day is the best time to visit as it is very rarely busy, although they do offer special days where schools visit and other types of classes, but after coming for a while you'll become aware of the best times to come and even then, the gym can never be described as overcrowded. There's air conditioning on at all times, but this is very subtle and once you start to train you will become hot very quickly. There are windows looking out onto an outside training area, however, only staff are permitted to open these. There's a water fountain situated near the men's changing rooms, with a tap to fill your water bottle and a nozzle to allow you to drink straight from it. There aren't, however, any cups provided, so you're always advised to bring your own water bottles for convenience. Separate to the main floor there's a room to the side, where all the classes take place, of which there are a range of, with something to suit everyone.
There's a sauna and a steam room situated just outside both the male and female changing rooms and these are free to all members. They're relatively small, but are very welcoming and are very rarely crowded, so it's always a good idea to make use of them while they're there. There's also a sunbed situated near the exit, however, this isn't free and is very popular with members so I recommend finding a separate sunbed facility that will offer a cheaper service.
*** Overview ***
Overall it's very hard to fault this gym as everything is of an unusually high standard. Staff are highly trained and very friendly, the facilities are well kept and spacious and membership prices are extremely competitive in comparison with other gyms.
Recommended.
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