This leisure centre represents the community in ways that Barnet Copthall and Hendon (both also…read morepart of the GLL brand) can only dream about. It is much newer than several of its sister branches and, despite being part of GLL, feels local, is used by every demographic and oversees pretty much any activity you could want (aside from swimming facilities). The car park is surprisingly spacious (despite the appearance of the driveway), and there is now plenty of space for all kinds of vehicles now that they have repainted the lines. On arrival, the desk is always manned by at least one informative and relevant staff member (more on the irrelevant staff members below) - just show your membership card, receive a wrist band, and you're ready to go. Burnt Oak Leisure Centre provides *take a deep breath*: aerobic classes, cardio equipment, a creche, weight machines, free weights, badminton courts, squash courts, teen gym sessions, football courts, karate lessons, yoga classes, ante- and postnatal classes, birthday parties, and individual support for seniors and people with all manner of physical/mental impairment. (The latter is actually very impressive - they provide a one-on-one service for those who, for example, are legally blind, walking you from gym machine to gym machine as necessary. I applaud their endeavours.) I've seen every kind of person use the Burnt Oak facilities -- a much nicer, broader spectrum of your average North London suburb than I've seen visiting Copthall. With the constant presence of a staff member in the reception area, one becomes quite familiar with the receptionists and it's nice to see the staff remember the gym-goers and develop a rapport. Speaking of staff, I have had to remove a star from this review on account of some really obnoxious people (who have no bearing on the really LOVELY staff with whom I've had the most interactions). Every now and then, there's a receptionist who seems appalled that you need her assistance with something (like entering the gym). Moreover, there is one 'manager'-type who gets very defensive whenever a customer wants to ask for further information or -- god forbid -- make a complaint. According to this woman, it's always not her fault, there's nothing she can do, we should ask head office, and if all else fails, "It's a matter of health and safety." [It's also a little small for the number of people entering its doors, which means you have to wait for certain machines during peak hours] That being said, I really heart this place. Assuming you manage to navigate the GLL registration process (get a lawyer and an English lit professor to help you), you can rest assured there's something here for you.

This leisure center is absolutely a waste of money and time for many reasons:…read moreThe gym room with equipment smell so bad, the ladies changing room even worse the lockers have black dirt inside, the receptionist can never book you a class, you have to do it online 2 weeks prior or they put you on waiting list but then they decide that no you cannot be on waiting list because 4 other persons are also on the list. Honestly, the hygiene there is really bad, the customer service non existent and you won't get a class if you are not super super organized for 2 weeks in advance this because they have some classes and only one room.....If you complain to the manager he will start to shout at you......

This was my regular gym from a few years ago The gym itself was lovely, great place to workout…read morelooks modern and clean. The only issue I had was with the staff at the main reception of the Venue, there was a few that seemed to be very unprofessional (giggling to each other when I would arrive to check in & making off putting glances) At this time I was pretty much a new & overweight must be said) member to the gym scene, so this was really off putting and made me feel very uncomfortable in returning.. after a few months I decided to leave my membership and go elsewhere. The staff in the gym itself are wonderful, extremely helpful & considerate. There is a wide range of equipment available for cardio and strength training which is great. I have not used the swimming pools but the view you get from the gym is great, looks like a great place to swim. Won't be returning though due to the bad experience with staff as the first impression you get of a place is in the hands of the reception, even though not all staff at reception were bad the impact of a few can have a major impact. Have found another gym company & am greatly enjoying it there.

This is not a bad swimming pool, but I suspect the casual/leisure swimmer may disagree. The primary…read morereason I like coming here is the water temperature, it is what many would probably consider cold but for serious swimming this is perfect. You really can go for it here without the overheating problems you get in some public pools where the temperature is just too high to be comfortable. The only problem really is that they have followed this concept through to the jacuzzi in the health suite, its barely warmer than the pool. Although I can't stand it when it's skin peelingly hot here it is just too cold, it needs to be hot enough to relax and sooth the tired muscles that have been worked in the gym or pool and this just doesn't do that. Other than that great, changing rooms are clean, if a little shabby in places. The staff seem reasonably pleasant and helpful and although I haven't used it the gym looks decent, it's on the first floor and looks out over the pool.

When I first signed up for the gym membership here, I was expecting to work out among only the…read moresenior members of the local community - not that that would be a bad thing. But then I was the more surprised that the clientele here is actually very diverse: from the teens, who are posing in front of the mirrors in the locker rooms to show off their muscles, the bus drivers working out during their breaks, the house wives gathering in the morning to do engage in chit-chat on the cross trainers, and the grandma from next door who's the most enthusiastic participant in the tummy session... When you join with a yearly membership - which is really affordable - you get a package of personal training sessions, a gym towel, a T-shirt and a water bottle...all this is nothing fancy, but then again it kind of entices you to continue coming. Also, the trainers here are really great, I have to say. What's best about them is that they engage in ever-so-brief conversations with you; they ask you how you're coming along, or when you haven't been there for a while, they notice you coming back and congratulate you on that. This, I feel is great and it makes me feel as being part of some kind of community. Keep up doing the good work!

I have used this pool a lot over the years as a great place for younger kids to gain pool…read moreconfidence and have fun. Its another beach style pool with a tiled island area - perfect for little ones getting to grips with jumping in the water. Much of this pool is really shallow. It has a reasonable wave machine - with a shelf you can sit on and get battered by the waves. Great fun when the kids were under 8 - we came here after school every 3 weeks over a couple of years (we use to alternate with Britannia in Hoxton and Waterfront in Woolwich) - but we have outgrown it . All the kids swim competitively now and the fun here is too tame for them (even with the youngest at 9). It has a really small swim around the island with no jets - just a waterfall that flows over your head as you swim by. A good shower jet for standing under that is powerful and always catches new visitors out as they desperately try to stop the jet removing their swimsuit. There is one slide which is great for first slide experiences....It snakes directly over the pool and is only half tube so if you go fast enough you get to splash the water over the top onto the pool below (and unsuspecting swimmers). Guess I spent too much time here. Main jacuzzi pool was always out of action and the small version was pretty poor. They do offer lane swimming if you want to train after public sessions - they stretch a few ropes across - so many better places to train, not sure why anyone would use this unless they lived next door.. We got to know most of the staff really well - slide was always open and on quiet nights we would get the waves to order. If you are looking to build water confidence in your toddlers or provide fun for under eights then this is great - otherwise travel there are better places about. Showers hit and miss, changing facilities basic and there is a gym. Never used it so cannot comment.

I was disgusted last week when i brought my 2 year old daughter swimming at Harrow leisure centre,…read morethe floor in the changing rooms were filthy with hair every where and the smell of urine and the bins were full of rubbish and smelly nappies.The showers were even worse with poo in one of the showers cubicles, hair clogged up in every drain and again the smell of urine all! this place is digusting and i will NEVER go back there!

I have been swimming here a few times and had a good look around the gym. I decided not to join the…read moregym just for money reasons really but it was well equipped and if you live locally it would fulfill your 'no frills' gym needs and you can use the pool too which some gyms, however nice, can not offer you. The pool is ok but the open swimming times are a little restricted due to school and swimming club usage. I have heard that there has been occasions where by people have discovered 'floaters' in here but I havent seen this yet and its relatively clean the times that I have been there. The changing areas and showers are what can be expected of an average public swimming so if your not a stickler for maximum hygiene you probably will not mind swimming here. I tried to book a badminton court here but unless you are amember you can't do this. The courts get booked up really quickly anyway as its a popular sport here. My boyfriend has been to the boxing club but since the trainer changed towads the end of last year he hasnt enjoyed it at all and has stopped going. The staff at the centre are alright, not very personable but dont try calling for info, no-one ever answers.

Took my sister and some of her friends during the holiday. Great staff, great atmosphere. Very safe…read moreplay space and a great menu for parents/family to have a coffee and chat while the kids tire themselves out! Has definitely become a favourite for my sister and her friends. We now often bump into her school friends and familiar faces. Always a great time for us both.

This North London soft play space is conveniently located outside Brent Cross Mall. My boys love…read morecoming here and are always begging me to bring them - its not the closest soft play to us, nor is it the cheapest (you have to pay to be a "member", a one-off fee, and it's more expensive in entry fees) - hence my resistance. That being said it is clean, feels like the equipment is in good nic, and it feels like they spend the money maintaining the place. We've been here for a few birthday parties and you can have the upstairs space or your own room which is nice. There is TV for parents to watch and they have wifi (hallelujah). Music plays throughout. The café is mediocre (hence my 3 star vote) and you don't get your money's worth. If I compare it to Clowntown, Friern Barnet, who provide a kiddies meal deal (veggie crudités, main, dessert & a drink) for under £7, these guys charge that just for the mains. Baby's options are Cow & Gate or the Ella's kitchen range. Mums and dads : the coffee is bad and sad. They use a machine and its tastes ugh! Overall, yes it's still worth coming but be prepared to cough up the cash.