You get what you pay for...and the rest (FitSpace Gym (Nottingham))

Member Name: simonh7

Product:	FitSpace Gym (Nottingham)
Date:	06/04/09 (380 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good facilities

Disadvantages: No frills

A former FitnessFirst, FitSpace gym is located in Castle Wharf, Canal Street in Nottingham, approximately a 5-10 minute walk from the train station and town centre.

Since its transformation to FitSpace, very little has changed bar the price, where monthly fees are now far cheaper, ranging from £10-16 a month - a lot cheaper than FF. The only feature of note which has suffered is the removal of the steam room and sauna, yet all of the original gym equipment and staff remain from when it was a FitnessFirst, which is obviously great given the large reduction in price.

FitSpace occupies floors 4 and 5 of the Waterways building and can be accessed by lift or stairs (if the latter, it's probably not even worth going in, you've already done your workout!). The gym itself offers a multitude of aerobic equipment, including a large number of exercise bikes, rowing machines, cross-trainers and running machines. All are of a high quality and very user friendly.

As for the weights section, this is rather large and includes a vast range of free weights, benches and assisted-weight machines, such as assisted bench-press and machines for developing upper and lower body muscles, including biceps, triceps, abdominals, lats, chest, pectorals etc. Again, all are high quality and regularly cleaned. There is also a larger practice room where classes take place and where people can go to dance, skip or box when it is available.

Floor 4 incorporates a smaller workout room with a couple of aerobic machines and a few weights machines. This is a designated quiet zone and ideal for those less confident in themselves. The changing rooms are spacious and include toilets, showers and sinks. Lockers are provided but members must provide their own padlocks.

Overall, this gym is very good value for money given that it has barely changed since being a FF. The staff are friendly and helpful and personal trainers are also available at good rates. One can also undertake more relaxing activities, as Floor 4 also has a mini-spa, so massages etc are also available. Tanning beds are also available at an extra cost, although there are often deals available making this cheaper. Wide variety of equipment, good facilities and relaxed staff make this a pretty good gym. There are no frills, no swimming pool and it is definitely more of a gym than a health club, but all of this is reflected in the monthly price. Payment is by direct debit, signup is simple and there is no contract, so you are able to terminate or startup your membership whenever you please - this is a huge benefit in my opinion.

Summary: Good gym, would definitely recommend to those on a low budget