Whilst I realise this is a review for a big chain, I really think this one needs to be shouted…read moreabout! Context: I am a fat girl. I don't want to be a fat girl any more. I have been a member of a number of gyms in the past, and for many many reasons hated it and quit. I was determined this time to find one that would work for me. Enter Bannatyne's Brindley Place: The bizarre decor immediately appealed. The pool is dimly lit, so I don't feel super self conscious about my bits being on show, and the gym itself is never rammed full of people so I never feel I'm being looked at. The muscly oiled men keep to themselves in a separate area with free weights which also helps me feel less anxious about visiting. But the real reason this place is awesome is because of two very specific people: 1) Steve Northam - he inducted me into the gym, he puts up with my whinging and my craziness over any kind of exertion, and at times he can be a little bit strange too (he does competitive fencing! Amazing, right?!) but above all he encourages me to keep at it. And it seems to be working. 2) Lee - a personal trainer who runs the spinning class on Thursday mornings and Sunday evenings. He warms us up to COUNTING CROWS (yes, I know, it shouldn't make sense but IT DOES!) and continues the sessions mixing Lady Gaga and Alanis Morrissette and Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon and on the rare occasion we manage to twist his arm to turn on the disco lights, it's like doing a bike ride at Snobs. And I've discovered I LOVE it. So. Indie / metal spinning, and crazy helpful instructors? On that note I'm IN. (ahhh cheesy ending, I know, but I couldn't resist :)

I booked this spa day through the wanada site which included use of all the health club facilities…read morea facial and a free take home product! A great way to spend a Saturday with a friend :-) Arriving at 10:30 I was determined to make use of all the facilities, and that's exactly what we did. My friend and I were shown around the health club - free water machine,changing rooms, swimming pool, steam room, jacuzzi and sauna. We spent spent our time relaxing on the loungers reading magazines and generally just chillaxing using the jacuzzi and steam and sauna rooms. The changing room facilities are great complete with the usual showers, toliets, lockers (don't forget a £1 coin!) drier for swimming costumes and hairdryers. You can also bring in your own hair straighteners to plug in. We each had a facial in the spa whereby they used a range of Elemis products on our skin which resulted in super soft skin. The spa staff were friendly and professional and I must say I felt very relaxed after my treatment as it included a head massage too. I will defintely returning for another spa day.

Vibro is the only gym I've ever stuck to. Results in a matter of weeks and a friendly place to work…read moreout. Massages are fantastic too.

Once in a while everyone needs a break, and at the end of a particularly stressful week of work i…read moretook Friday afternoon off for some me time. Having had Vibro suite recommended to me by a friend I decided to check out the spa and am very glad I did. They have a fantastic range of treatments and are able to accommodate you if you want a 30 minute lunch time treat or like me an entire afternoon of relaxation. In an attempt to relax I opted for a "Deep Tissue Massage" and a "Bespoke You Facial" both were 1 hour treatments. The welcome was fantastic and I immediately felt at ease and was offered a range of drinks, the initial massage was carried out very well and actually did work to release some of the tension I felt. This was followed by a 10 minute break where I was allowed to sit relax and offered another drink. The Facial consisted of a 15 minute consultation asking about my skin type and normal routine. This was followed by a full 1 hour facial which I think was done very well. Unlike many other spas I wasn't pressured into buying any products or booking a follow up, the staff were fantastic and both treatments were great value for money. I would definitely recommend Vibro Suite.

I'm in tears after the distressing experience with the general manager and the PT Maya…read more We paid over £200 in joining fee which the woman told us would go towards 3 PT sessions and 4 week tennis course. A badminton coach was also promised. After paying it turns out the tennis coach, badminton coach, the first PT, the second PT, the head of PT have all left within 2 weeks. That's 5 people- how is this normal? First session was form filling for 45 mins. Second the guy had a family emergency and we turned up for no reason. Third ( shockingly!) also had a fam emergency and we turned up at 730am for no reason to be turned back around. Third one was the worst- Aggressive woman PT Maya Makluka. She wasn't there when I came in. Went looking and found her strolling in a different part of the gym she asked me to go back and wait. She came down 10 mins later and brought a form out. First question she asked was 'is this a free session?!' I said we paid joining fee for this. I also told her we have already wasted a session filling out forms with the first PT. She said she hasn't spoken to this PT. I said but my form should still be here she said there are no systems and I need to get my form from (her ex colleague who's left!). She spoke extremely rudely and aggressively and was shockingly unprofessional I couldn't believe it was really happening. Finally SHE fumed off after this. Literally ran to the front desk before I could reach to complain- I then spoke to the general manager who said the pt has come in to her office in tears ( lol the fake clown) and been with them for years (2) so can't be wrong. She would get dean who works for her to call me. The general manager has apparently joined 6 months ago and has already had her mind made up. Disgraceful that this can happen to a human being, let alone a customer

Birminghams David Lloyds…read more After being able to open up again from the pandemic it's REALLY gone down hill! Awful customer service at reception, you pay so much money to be treated like , the gyms been refurbished but it's still horrible no AC, the lady locker rooms are disgusting!, My wife hates it!! Anyone is allowed in when they're not on a membership as certain staff members let their own people in for free causing disagreements and noise in the gym. They quality and reputation of DL has just disappeared, it now seems like an ordinary gym with extremely high prices. I have left DL shady lane after 10years because there is not point paying so much for a service that is bad. All good reviews are from staff members and there relatives they make it out like they're a good gym when they aren't - an insider actually told me this! Please reconsider, your working team represnting David Lloyds as they are not keeping up a good reputation. I could name individual staff members who I can see have been mentioned in other reviews aswell so it must not be nothing new as they must be constantly disrespectful and think they own David Lloyds themselves, they must be reminded they are here to serve the customers and don't actually have shares in the business no remorse is shown if anything at times I do think racial profiling but others get the same treatment. An oldish lady who was at reception desk today andra or something like that absolutely disrespectful no help just laughing. Gym has gone complete terrible, they've signed up way to many members and can't even provide a good enough service, some staff should consider resigning and whoever actually is in charge of the club should change the staff and improve its facilities.

All in all this gym is a solid one. It doesn't have any of the frills you get at some places- no…read moretoiletries in the changing rooms, free teas/coffees etc but it does have: - a pool - a decent free weights section - a good selection of classes (particularly great yoga class) I've never had to wait for a cardio machine and the staff are always friendly. This isn't a grunting gym, you know, there are the odd few who make bizarre noises (Although I did once hear someone shout "I am spartan" whilst doing a dead lift), but mostly they seem to go elsewhere. It's not a lift the heaviest thing you can lift then slam it down it on the floor because you can't actually lift it properly kind of gym either. All in all I'm a fan. It went a bit downhill at the end of it's stint as a Virgin Active (I left it was looking so shabby) but a fresh lick of paint has done it some good and it's looking better again now under the new branding of Nuffield Health.

For the last few months I've been attending Nuffield Health in Birmingham City Centre, having moved…read morefrom the Rubery Great Park branch. As gyms in the city go this is one of the pricier ones, with membership costing £40-£50. However, I've found that it's a nice place to exercise, and it is conveniently located for the city centre. The gym has all of the facilities you'd expect. Upstairs there's a large cardio exercise area, with running machines, bikes and more, as well as a rock climbing wall and a large weights area with a good mix of free weights and machines.There's a separate weights area for women and there's an area dedicated to boxing (if that's your thing). I've found that the atmosphere is fairly relaxed and I don't have to waste time waiting to use the weights/machines that I want to. The pool area is a great place to swim or just to relax after a work out. It doesn't seem to get overly busy and it has two Jacuzzis, a steam room and a sauna.

Recently went to watch a friend practice at this club. The club was used by the Jamaican team at…read morethe 2012 Olympics. Children and Adult classes. Well run, friendly and knowledgeable people doing the training. Assortment of ages. Building a little dilapidated, owned by the church, however all the equipment is good standard and fit for purpose. If you are interested in starting martial arts worth going down to watch and talk to the trainer

We bought a buyagift voucher for bannatyne spa which was for a Treatment which we chose as a back &…read moreneck massage and a scalp massage. Got to reception and had to wait for someone to let us though as we were not gym members so couldn't access the turnstile gates. Reception took the forms I had to fill in and offered spa bags with a dressing gown, towel and slippers for £3 (you have to return the gown & towel otherwise they charge you £25.) but they didn't have any ready yet so we told to sit & wait. After 5 mins I kept looking at reception as I noticed other people were given spa bags, so receptionist noticed me looking and asked if I was okay. I told her I was waiting for 2 spa bags, which she then got, as she forgot bout it!! I note that my gown was 'dirty' as it had foundation or something similar on the collar!! It was a big patch!! We got changed and went up to the spa, we had already filled in their forms (printed at home). Then went into a twin treatment room as we had requested. The massage was good, though my boyfriend said he preferred the belfry one!!! Then we went to use the pool and sauna etc which was good. They have a big changing area, showers are more roomy than pure gym! It was good but I think they have different offers, some good ones on offer without need to buy groupon etc. The online booking scheme was hard to work out, so I ended up emailing for confirmation. Plus reception was short staffed so we were kept waiting n forgotten for 5 mins!!

Excellent facilities. Lots of equipment - free weights, muscle machines and treadmills/excercycles…read moregalore. Wasn't too busy when I went on a Saturday afternoon. The swimming pool is large and heated. The locker room is quite clean. You need your own padlock. Lots of free parking too.