The further adventures of Matt and Kyle :o) aka 3 Gyms and 4 sets of Xmas tree lights :o)

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After leaving you 2 weeks ago with promises of further gym reviews I finally got around to visiting two more gyms this Sunday – David Lloyd at Newhaven and Greens at Chesser. Kyle visited David Lloyds and Living Well last week too and so I now proudly present our further adventures – 3 gyms and 4 sets of Xmas tree lights

I’ve also some excellent feedback on my last post – 6 Gyms and a Snax Cafe breakfast – and I’d strongly recommend reading this if you haven’t already.

A Word of Explanation Regarding Images

Gratuitous Kai Greene images aside I do generally try to keep my images somewhat relevant to the text but with neither Greens or David Lloyd’s websites providing me with anything at all to nick I thought I’d build on the picture of my fine tree with a lovely pair of his and hers sexy Santas – enjoy

Round 2

Our last trip was fairly painless, involving little more than a stroll around the block but this time it was necessary to venture further afield (the practicalities involved even lead to Kyle and I doing solo trips), hence the delay What finally roused me to action was the failure of last year’s Xmas tree lights. Imagine my dismay when I arrived home last Saturday , unreasonably excited, with my tree only to find my decoration plans derailed

By Sunday morning I was once again brimming with festive excitement and as I had to venture out for some new lights anyway I thought I’d brave the form filling in at David Lloyd’s and check the place out Since my last post I’ve also discovered that 2 of my clients live out Gorgie way and that Greens at Chesser is pretty handy for them. Intoxicated with festive tree decorating happiness I fearlessly through caution to the wind and decided to brave another form and visit there too

Greens

Greens is a health club. As such it has a variety of facilities, including a pool and a gym. Needless to say it’s the gym I’m interested in I’ve been here before to visit Deanne, my deep tissue practitioner extraordinaire and I’ve had a brief nosy around the gym so I’m expecting it to be pretty good as I thought it was before

As is standard at health clubs I’m given an overly long form to fill in and shown around by a member of the sales team. Cat is great. She’s informative and helpful without being remotely pushy. I’m impressed The facilities are good too, nice pool, great cardio suite and a well equipped (free weights, machines, 2 squat racks etc) gym. With the current 10 months for the price of 12 deal it’s a pretty good option for any of you situated in that area. I like it much more than either of the health clubs we visited last week – Virgin and Bannatynes.

4, yes 4 , sets of Xmas tree lights

I pause en route to David Lloyds to visit Poundland (no expense spared) where I pick up 4 sets of Xmas tree lights. Partly this is in case they don’t all work but mainly it is to ensure that my tree looks suitably splendid I get some more tinsel too, just to be on the safe side As the picture shows I think I chose wisely. I’ve already garnered praise from both my FB friends and my personal training clients, all of whom have been subjected to a viewing of my tree photo’s . It’s the first time I’ve ever decorated the tree and I’m very proud of myself

David Lloyds

Once more I get a form I’m disturbed by the presence of children on the premises but apparently it’s allowed; they have a proper play area and everything

This is by far the most overtly family-friendly place I’ve visited and the facilities are excellent, pool (indoor and out), tennis courts (again indoor and out) and a surprisingly well equipped gym featuring some exciting Techno Gym Hammer Strength-style machines that are almost reason enough to join here, such is their splendour Again I prefer this to Virgin and Bannantynes. If I put my child prejudices to one side then I’d be hard pushed to decide between here and Greens. Location would probably swing it in favour of David Lloyd.

Having discussed matters with Kyle I can confirm that he thought David Lloyds was good as well, for the same reasons that I did and the £50 a month family and friends deal that they are running until the end of December is excellent value too

Living Well

Kyle popped in here and his feedback of ‘they have dumbbells but no barbells’ was sufficient for me not to bother visiting them at all I doubt that any of you would be happy with no barbells either so I don’t feel my verdict is too hasty

The Verdict

While there are other facilities worth a look – Edinburgh Leisure on Dundas Street spring to mind – I’m done with gym visits for the time being. As far as I know Kyle is too.

So where is best ? Sorry folks but there is no right answer It really does depend what you are looking for.

I’m going to stick with training at Thompsons and Pure Gym. I have clients who liked Virgin and others who are happily moving to Pure Gym. My favourite health clubs (based on the gyms only, I almost completely ignored classes, studios and all the other goodies these places offer) were Greens and David Lloyds (I just remembered that the gym has good natural light too, which is a plus point for me). I’ve heard more negative feedback about Pure Gym that anywhere else but I’ve had no problems there at all. And to be completely honest at £15 a month is it any wonder that it’s busy?

I’d suggest making a mental list of what’s most important – location, equipment, price, peak time usage, contract options etc – and checking out any that look interesting. Most places allow day visits and I’d recommend doing this before you sign up. I love training in different gyms so for me a week of different gyms is a perfect Xmas treat to yourself

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