Talk me out of joining David Lloyd....

loveka

I used to be a member of Virgin Active, but it closed down in December. Since then I have been going to the local council gym, which almost unbelievably is more expensive than Virgin if you have a full, i.e. use of everything I had use of at Virgin. I only pay for the gym though so £30 a month. The pool is like an all inclusive in Benidorm the whole time so its just not worth paying extra to use it.

I am doing a 14 day trial at David Lloyd, and I really want to join even though I know it's MADNESS as its £98 a month for the most basic package. They don't even give you a bloody towel for that! It seems to be full of children all the time I- Iknow its school holidays but it does seem geared to families. It's actually not that luxurious. It's WAY overpriced -I have been to Virgin Active clubs with outdoor pools that are £60 a month

But despite all this I really want to join because I just love love love the outdoor pool. On Sunday I swam for 45 minutes in the hammering rain and it's fabulous.

I really can't justify it on what I earn. I used to pay £60 at Virgin, that included a towel and private locker. I miss Virgin a lot, hate them for closing it....

I still want to join David Lloyd though. I go 4 or 5 times a week so cost per go is... still too much. Talk me out of it please!

dandelionclock30

If you like outdoor swimming I'm sure there will be another pool/Lido you can use which is inexpensive. Or join an outdoor swimming club etc.
£98.00 a month is a lot, you would be better off going to the council gym or getting your own stuff and/or a decent road bike and doing your own work out.
Its upto you what you spend your money on, but I think there are better alternatives myself.
If you do join the David Lloyd make sure you go everyday to get your moneys worth.

Alias_Omega

Pure Gym... £14.99 a month...No Contract...No Joining Fee..


Just a Gym... A large UK chain.

wiogs

Alias_Omega wrote: »

Pure Gym... £14.99 a month...No Contract...No Joining Fee..


Just a Gym... A large UK chain.

With an outdoor pool too?

I was a member of a David Lloyd gym for years the chief draw being the outdoor pool, which when schools were back was fantastic. However I could not justify the ridiculous ongoing costs. I do miss the pool but not over a £1000 worth of a miss.

loveka

Oh for a pure gym and a lido! Our nearest outdoor swimming is 12 miles away.
Around here there is the council gym- £52 for everything. David Lloyd £98. And thats it!!! Both Virgin and LA Fitness closed in the town centre. There are 2 empty gym premises doing nothing
No wonder David Lloyd can charge so much.

lisa701

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

If you like outdoor swimming I'm sure there will be another pool/Lido you can use which is inexpensive. Or join an outdoor swimming club etc.
£98.00 a month is a lot, you would be better off going to the council gym or getting your own stuff and/or a decent road bike and doing your own work out.
Its upto you what you spend your money on, but I think there are better alternatives myself.
If you do join the David Lloyd make sure you go everyday to get your moneys worth.

Agree with dandelionclock30 comments, £98 is a bit steep. I'm sure there will be an outdoor swimming club somewhere nearby and if not personally I would just go to my local indoor pool on a pay as you go basis once or twice a week so I could at least get a swim in but without the heafty £98 price tag.

For a lot less you could find a local PT who could provide you with one to one coaching once or twice a month to keep you on track. You don't need expensive kit, even plastic bottles filled with sand will work as weights.

Certainly would not be lining the pockets of a fat cat gym who in turn pay their staff peanuts for long hours.

andrew-bowers

David Lloyd, of which Im a member is great if you use it.
It costs alot so to make it work, you have got to use it 3-6 days per week consistently.

Its the same as a SKY package. Its expensive, but pointless getting the movies add on, if you see them all in the cinema.

They are - over all - well equipped and comfortable gyms.

Alias_Omega

wiogs wrote: »

With an outdoor pool too?

I was a member of a David Lloyd gym for years the chief draw being the outdoor pool, which when schools were back was fantastic. However I could not justify the ridiculous ongoing costs. I do miss the pool but not over a £1000 worth of a miss.

Pure Gym and Local River? Maybe Triathlon club nights etc

rugbyleague

I'm a member of David Lloyds, its a little cheaper oop Norf but still a dear do! I'm with you tho love the outdoor pool especially when the weather is poor (snow, rain, wind etc.) I do wish the pool was longer (all 20metre) I get dizzy when lap swimming.

loveka

Today is my last day at David Lloyd and I feel really upset!!! I have been trying to talk myself in to joining on an off peak, paying a year up front and getting the month free- and the fact that its tax deductable for me. This reduces the cost per month a bit.

But realistically, they probably wont give me the free month as that 'offer' ends today and I have to give a months notice at the council gym. I worry about paying a yearup front- what if I broke my leg?
And of course the council gym is tax deductable too so I shouldn't really count that in my calculations!

So I'm going to have to stick with the council gym I think. I really wish I had the pption of a lido and a pure gym as people have suggested, but as I said the nearesr is 12 miles away! I can't understand why there are no other gyms nearby. I know I will never take to running etc- the gym is the only exercise I have ever been able to stick at- I have been 4/5 times a week for 11 years

If I stay at the council then what I save by not joining DL is actually the price of a holiday! Its that thought that I think has finally talked me out of it!

benjus

I love David Lloyd. I think it's worth what you pay for it, even though it's not cheap. I use it mainly for the outdoor pool and tennis - if you're into racquet sports it's one of the few places you can get tennis courts, a gym, exercise classes and indoor/outdoor swimming in the same place.

I will be terminating my membership as I've recently moved to a place with on-site tennis courts, (indoor) pool and gym and can't justify paying for DL as well - but I will miss the outdoor pool, the long opening hours, and the general feel of the place.