15/3/2010

For a central London gym, this branch of LA Fitness doesn't really cut the mustard.

The gym underwent a long-overdue refurbishment at the end of 2009 - before which there were a catalogue of problems, the decor was very shabby, and the equipment was tired and outdated.

However despite being closed for several weeks for the refurb, and being greeted with much fanfare and boasts about the amount being spent, the result is a disappointment.

New equipment was brought in, but to be fair there should have been a continuous process of renewal rather than waiting several years and replacing everything at once. Some weights machines were removed and not replaced, and 'out of order' signs continue to blight equipment.

The floors were not replaced as promised (nor did they even seem to been blast cleaned), the decor around the pool was not refreshed (meaning the peeling paint is still present), and the spa was not updated, or replaced with the promised 'feature shower', but was simply boarded over as a cost-cutting measure.

Other efforts to increase profitability mean that the fitness studios are often hired out to groups, such as childrens dance lessons, and the postage-stamp sized pool is often taken over for 1-to-1 children's swimming lessons.

The staff at this gym are friendly enough, but the facilities are simply below average. Having said that, the disappointing facilities do open the door for quite a good deal on membership fees. Sign up towards the end of the month when the sales staff are chasing targets and you might expect to negotiate a monthly rate of below £40 for a single-location membership.

If the fees are not such an issue, though, or you're not interested in using the swimming pool, consider the much higher-spec Virgin Active down the road at the Plaza.

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