Pump Some Iron Then See A Show (The Sands Centre (Carlisle))

Member Name: Rhiana

Product:	The Sands Centre (Carlisle)
Date:	27/04/09 (323 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Huge range of classes to suit every ability, some good value quality shows

Disadvantages: A bit dated in places, as an entertainment venue it lacks atmosphere

The Sands Centre in Carlisle is the cities main Sports and entertainment venue. Run by Carlisle leisure limited, a non profit organisation who also operate the local swimming pool, golf courses and outdoor athletics facilities. It's partners include Carlisle City Council and The NHS.

Originally Built in 1984, it's not the most attractive looking venue from the outside. It is situated at Hardwick Circus, a major roundabout in the center of the city, on the banks of the River Eden and within walking distance of the city center.

~ Health and Fitness ~

The award winning Lifestyle center offers a large range of health and fitness facilities.

The Gym isn't my favourite place, I admit, and I've only visited a couple of times once for an induction from a very helpful instructor. It's a relatively new addition to the centre in the last few years and seems extremely well equiped with high tech fitness equipment. It's in a conservatory type building, but is fully air conditioned so is cool and fresh feeling. It offers Cardio Theater, giving you the choice of different music and TV channels while you exercise.

The classes are my favourite part of the Life Style Centre. The Sands Centre offers over 80 classes a week including Body Pump, Spinning, Aerobics, Steps, Body Balance, Fat Burner, Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates and Line Dancing and more. There is a good range of classes to suit all fitness levels and some that specifically cater for the under 16's, over 50's or mobility impaired (seated Aerobics!). The timetable is well spread out with classes taking place between 7.15 am -9 pm Monday - Friday. Saturday and Sunday hold less classes, with the majority on a morning.

The classes are held in the sports halls. These aren't the most modern of places and look a bit dated and scruffy. However I have found the classes to be extremely well led and fun, with very helpful instructors. Some classes require a free training class before you can join in, such as body pump. This is so you know how to use the equipment, and an essential for your own safety. Equipment is provided if it's required, or you can bring our own. What I really like about the classes are, I don't feel self concious at my low fitness levels. There are a few body beautifuls about, fashioned in the latest sports gear. But most people are just everyday folk wanting a fun way to
improve fitness.

Classes range in price from £2 - £4 although there are various membership options available that also incorporate use of the gym and the other CLL venues mentioned above.

Other Sports facilities offered are:

Squash Courts. There are 2 courts and equipment is available to hire. Like the spots halls these do look a bit scruffy and dated, but seem very popular. Available to book between 9 am and 10.30 pm weekdays for 45 minute sessions, costing between £4.70 and £6.30

Climbing Wall. Courses are run regularly by a qualified coach and all equipment is provided. I's very popular and must be booked in advance. My son attended a junior course a few years ago and enjoyed it very much, not being a highly active child who doesn't like running about. It isn't a huge wall, but is very popular so must be sufficient. Prices are Adults: £3.20
Juniors: £1.90 although block booking discounts are available here.

Team Sports and Clubs. The Sands center also offers Netball, 5-a-side, trampolining, gymnastics and karate for both Adults and Children. Again, My son attended the Karate class a few years ago and enjoyed it very much. I'm in the process of joing my 4 year old daughter into the trampolining classes, as she is very high in energy! These are run every weekday night at various times.

I can't mention the sports facilities without mentioning the changing area's, and I have to say these are quite dissapointing. They remind me of school changing areas, can be a bit smelly and the showers aren't great. However they are clean and functional.

The final area to mention in the LifeStyle Centre is The Body and Mind salon. After sweating it out in the Gym, go and treat yourself to one of the treatments on offer including Facials, Pedicures, Waxing, Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Thai Massage and Indian Head Massage. Creative Nail Design and Acrylic nail treatments are also on offer. This is at a cost though, similar to any other spa or salon.

~ Kids ~

The Sands Centre provides lots of activities for children. It holds Mum and toddlers groups and Tiny tumbles classes (with lots of bouncy inflatables) for younger children and Ball sports (Basketball, Volleyball, Football) Gymnastics and Trampolening for school children. The classes are held regularly every weekday during term time. They are usually booked as a course in advance.

They also provide some excellent creche facilities and Kids Clubs. The Creche has baby sessions (0-2 year) and Toddler sessions (2-5 y) and costs only around £3 for a 2 hour session. You are free to leave the building or make use of the facilities there. These sessions run every week day morning and I can not reccomend them enough (although the baby session wasn't available when my children were that age, I used the toddler session regularly) Both my children have enjoyed attending these sessions and have made some beautiful crafts. The creche ladies are all fully qualified childcare providers and are lovely.

The 5-8 club runs on a Saturday Morning for children aged 5-8 and provides inflatable and soft play fun, crafts, football, volleyball and other team sports. Parents do not need to stay and it's a good chance to go do some shopping.

And in the holidays the Sands Center run their very own Holiday club for children aged 8-13. This runs every single weekday from 8.30 am - 5.30 pm and cost £17 last year, a day. For that your child will usually do 2 activities a day including Golf, Cinema, Swimming, Laser Quest aswell as the faciliies at the Sands Center. They also run trips to Theme parks occasionally. The price also includes a lunch and dessert. My son absolutly loved going to this, and I used it instead of school holiday club. The reason he enjoyed it so much was it was action packed with lots of different activities, but also the instructors who where taking care of the kids (and had been qualified to do so) where all young, under 25 and fun, whilst being very responsible. This reminds me of American summer camps I read about as a child, and always wanted to go!

~ Entertainment ~

Now I realise that this review is appearing in the sports location section, but feel I have to mention the Entertainment facilities at the Sands Center. Carlisle doesn't have a Theater or Venue, so the Sands steps in here. Tiered seating is pulled out in the main sports hall to provide for the many shows and acts. I have to be honest here and say it does lack the atmosphere of a real Theater or entertainment venue, but with some pretty good shows and prices at around £20 a person, it's a good value for money night out. Recent shows and acts include McFly, Jimmy Carr, Fame on tour and includes Comedy shows, Classical music, Ballet and Ice dance, Musical Theater and music acts. These are not amatuer perfomances, and I've seen some fantastic shows, the best being A Chinese Circus.

~ Eating and Drinking / other facilities~

The Sands Centre has a large airy and clean cafe with the usual cafe food, both hot and cold. It's nice and good quality and reasonably priced. It also has a small bar area which opens onto the banks of the River Eden with seating and a small play area (currently going redevelopement).

Childrens Parties are also catered for. I have held and attended a few here, and the food provided is the best we have come across. The children also have access to the inflatables and soft play, or you can even book a climbing wall party.

The centre also has conferencing facilities, which I have never used.

~ Overall ~

While not the most high tech facilities or venue, the Sands Center does offer a wide range. The customer service is fantastic, instructers highly trained and helpful and the kids Facilities are just brilliant. Some area's do seem a bit dated and run down, needing a bit of a facelift, however they are all extremely functional if you can see beyond that. I'd guess that trying to do everything at once rather than haing a clear identity causes this. While the entertainment aspect is value and good quality, I do think a seperate arena would be better. Having it in a sports hall does affect the accoustics, and it can be too loud. However as this is Carlisle, a very small city, and within 2 hours driving distance of Newcastle, Glasgow and Manchester then it's highly unlikely we would ever get one, so for that reason I am glad the Sands Centre has this facility. Comparable to other Health and fitness centres, childrens facilities and entertainment venues then prices are very competative. If your visiting the area I'd suggest a visit to find out whats on and to sample a beer on the scenic banks of the river. If you live in the area then I would recommend you take a closer look at what the Sands Centre has to offer and invest in one of the membership packages.

For more information on Membership, Facilities and Whats on visit www.thesandscentre.co.uk

Summary: A busy little place indeed!