I've been training with Sam for a year now and it really has given me a new lease of life again- I…read morefeel like i'm 25 again which is amazing since i'm 52! I'm actually fitter than i've ever been in my life I just wish i'd started with him sooner!

I've been training with Sam now for over a year and still going strong. We train in and outside of…read morethe gym and I really feel like I did when I was 25 again- in fact I'm probably alot fitter and stronger than I was then- a real new lease of life

I had a really unpleasant encounter with a coach from the Bikram Yoga studio. I attend the gym…read moreabove this studio and had always been tempted to try their classes--but after today, I won't be. This venue and the gym share a front door. Since the gym's doorbell is currently out of order, I was waiting outside for my coach to let me in. As Bikram Yoga clients arrived, a woman opened the door for them. I didn't try to enter or say a word, yet out of nowhere, she aggressively put her hand up to me and said, "I'm not letting YOU in. It's not my problem your doorbell isn't working. You stay. You stay outside." I was in shock, as I hadn't even attempted to go inside yet she spoke to me like I was an insubordinate dog trying to push my way in and she was telling to me stay put. The door was then shut in my face and she continued making nasty comments to her clients about the gym and the people upstairs. How unprofessional. Speaking to someone so harshly and unprovoked is completely unacceptable, then badmouthing other coaches and their clients is wrong. Based on this encounter, I would never consider attending any classes. The encounter made me feel intimidated and disrespected. Had the roles been reversed, the coaches upstairs would never treat Bikram Yoga's clients in such a condescending and hostile manner.

Bikram Yoga Brighton in Portslade is a great alternative to the central Bikram Yoga centre located…read morein the lanes which I imagine may be busier. If you didn't already know what Bikram was, well to put it briefly it's yoga, but is 45 degree heat. Not only does is help limber up your muscles faster, but it releases toxins and improves the joints amongst a long list of other things. Beware though, this isn't for the faint hearted or those who already suffer 'hot flushes' and Carolyn certainly puts you through your paces. I love it though. You can buy a 10 class card online for £100, but if you just want to try it on for size, go to their free beginner's class.

If you don't already know what Pilates is and how it can help your body, you probably will soon…read moreenough, as it's close behind Yoga as one of the best ways to keep your body strong and supple. Targeting specific muscles, strengthening your core and learning how to correct your posture are all key in optimum fitness and this is what Pilates focuses on. Most Pilates studios use specifically designed equipment to achieve this, and Ocean Wave is no different, it looks a little peculiar at first but you can really feel the muscles working! You may not have the master Paul Anthony McLinden teaching your class but is 3 partners are equally trained to a world-class standard and really pay attention to each individual. It doesn't have to be expensive either with a Small Group Studio Sessions (1:3) at just £20. It's well worth it.

The owner of this establishment is incredibly passionate about making sure that his business has…read morethe highest standards and provides the very best environment and services for the clients. He is very positive mind oriented and knows what he's doing! I would highly recommend Ocean Wave Pilates Studio!

Coral Health & Fitness is probably the best value gym outside of Brighton centre. It has a large…read moregymnasium featuring an aerobic and floor exercise room with a separate machine and free-weight room so you don't feel intimidated by those whose main goal is to pose. For students membership is a mere £20 a month and for that you get on and off-peak access to the gym, beauty salon and bar. Other good deals can be had if you're a couple in which case monthly membership will cost you £23.75 each. Unfortunately neither membership includes access to squash courts (£4.50 off-peak/ £6 peak). You'll also have to pay a little extra to take part in any of the extra classes, which include boxercise, circuit training and spin classes. Both rooms of the gym are well stocked with every piece of apparatus you could ever need. The bonus for me is the small free-weights section that allows more space for machines, thus decreasing the amount of steroid-fuelled nutters you find in other gyms. Avoid evenings between 7-9pm, as these are the busiest times (I'd suggest visiting around midday during the week). If you need a few minutes to recuperate after your workout you can always chill out upstairs where the bar and kitchen will serve you everything from protein shakes to chilli con carne. All the staff are incredibly friendly and are often willing to give you free tips about how to improve your work out. It's no David Lloyd but for the money you can't complain.

With extra classes such as circuit training, boxercize, spin classes and salsa there's much more to…read moreCoral Fitness than a gymnasium and squash courts. With its own licensed bar you can stay and socialise for a while or indulge in a range of drinks and hot and cold food. For me it's the best value gym in Hove as it's impeccably maintained and well staffed. You'll never be far from a friendly trainer who'd be happy to give you some free exercise tips. The aerobic room is fully stocked with every machine you'd expect including treadmills, cross-trainers, bikes, spin machines and steppers, along with a matted area that comes with various exercise balls and crunch machines. Every wall is plastered with helpful diagrams and information so that you're never at a loss. The resistance room is separate to this and due to its bias toward machines as opposed to free-weights it isn't the kind of place frequented by many over-inflated steroid types. That said, the free-weight section is decent if a bit small and many of the machines are adaptable to varying needs. It's great for students as it's only £20 per month and if you're a couple you could get a joint membership for as little as £23.75. The squash courts cost £4.50 or £6 for off-peak and peak times respectively, however, the price isn't included in any membership package. Despite this I think it's the best value gym in the vicinity.

I used to really like this place but find that it gets so busy that it becomes counterproductive…read morewhen your intention is to relax and unwind. It's got an amazing vista, which is it's USP. What lets it down is the procedures for booking clients, it's squashed entrance which has people jostling to get in and out and the front desk staff (or atleast the woman who was there on the day that I went). The receptionist, when I visited, was clearly unable to cope and became quite shrill and anxious. I overheard her being quite rude to someone on the phone, telling the person that she was too busy to deal with her enquiry!! Isnt' that part of her job(?) However, the class I attended, although crowded, was well taught. I prefer a more intimate group and so I probably won't revisit, despite the studio space being stunning.

This is a building set on the edge of the seafront by the Redoubt, so at high tide the sea is…read morereally close. I have attended yoga sessions there which are really atmospheric as they open the doors and you can hear the sea. They also do pilates sessions, and a wide range of alternative therapies such as colonic irrigation, alexander technique, reflexology. They hold events with interesting visiting speakers. Parking is on the seafront or on road between seafront and Seaside,but parking carges don't extend that far down, so is free.

What began four years ago as let's give Tai Chi a bash has now evolved into a journey of self…read morecultivation which now influences every aspect of my life in a very positive way. Tai Chi Wisdom teach the full Yang curriculum in a relaxed, friendly and supportive manner, starting with basic postures that lead into to the learning of short and long versions of the form, two person sparing and weapons training. Turn up to a class - you might like it !!

Going to Tai Chi Wisdom really can be a life changing experience. Simon, Cher and their growing…read morefamily of excellent teachers are brilliant and they really know how get the teachings across and to make everyone feel really welcome and cared for. Recently I've been a somewhat absent student due to a very busy period in my life but with weekend workshops and various classes throughout the week I still manage to enjoy their company. Classes are wonderful friendly places and they attract a really good sort so it's always a pleasure to return. Go and see for yourself how much fun the classes are and most importantly, that the guys and girls at Tai Chi Wisdom really know their stuff.

Cheaper than the other gyms and, as local legend would have it, more friendly, St. John's was a…read morecouncil-run gym until a couple of years ago, after which time its franchise was taken by Fusion, which has several other gyms in the UK. It can occasionally be frustratingly amateur - there'll be promotions from time to time that you'll ask gym staff about, only to find they haven't heard anything about them - but its heart is in the right place. Young and old go to this gym. You'll have early morning yuppies getting in 30 minutes on the exercise bikes at 7am, young parents taking their children to swimming classes throughout the day, heart classes for retirees also during the day, teenagers pumping iron in the late afternoons (bring nose plugs), and harassed-looking commuters sweating on the treadmills in the evenings. You know how sometimes you can go to the gym and feel out of place, because everyone is so young, toned and perfect? You won't have that problem here; it's full of regular people trying to drop a few kilos. And a good selection of classes, too. Spinning, Body Balance, Yoga, Tai Chi, Body Pump whatever takes your fancy, really. It's a really good way to meet friends. ... and I don't mean that in the dodgy 1970's do you swing? way.

I was completely in awe on my first visit here on 6th June…read more I am completely new to Buddhism and was so happy to be so welcomed, so accepted, and so happy to be around people that I can relate to and learn from. I arrived at 12:30 when free meditation was open and had a look around the reception area. I was very happy to be offered a cup of tea and be so pleasantly chatted to. The lady kindly took me on a tour of the building, showing me the beautiful two large shrine rooms and the small personal shrine room. She not only told me a bit of the history of the charity and the founder, but also showed me how to meditate, and did some guided meditation for me. I'll have to save up to get the train back to Brighton just to visit here again. I'm so glad these people exist.

Brighton Buddhist Centre is the hub of Buddhist study and practise in Brighton- they have been…read moreteaching and practising Buddhism, meditation and yoga for over thirty years. The organisation aims to make spiritual practise accessible to all sorts of people with all levels of knowledge and experience. The centre is staffed by friendly volunteers who will welcome anyone who wishes to drop in for a chat about what's on offer. Amongst the many classes and courses available, they run led drop in meditation for those who aren't yet ready to commit to a full course. Similarly you can drop in to an impressive range of yoga classes- choose from: Hatha, Iyengar, Astanga and Vajrasati. There are lunchtime and evening classes to suit all schedules. The building itself has a calm, peaceful atmosphere (as one might expect!). A small shrine room is available for individual meditation and a beautiful large room with a glass roof is used for group meditation practise. The centre is a really great resource, not only for supporting Brighton's Buddhist community but for educating people as to what Buddhism is really all about! That said, you don't need to be interested in spiritual study to attend the meditation or yoga classes...they're open to all.