My hotel didn't have exercise facilities so they suggested this gym. I didn't know where it was…read morebut saw it when I went to Rabbie's Cafe (right next door) Located in the basement of an office building is a self serve gym concept. They had a kiosk where you can become a member, buy a day, 3 day pass, etc. if you need any help there is a call button & someone does come out. I got a 3 day pass for about $16 USD. You use a code to enter and exit. They have an abundant amount of cardio equipment, free & machine (Matrix) weights. I visited around 7:00 on a Friday night and they weren't busy, just right. Equipment was newer and in good shape and the floor/area was clean. They also have showers & lockers (need to bring your own lock) as well beverage vending machines. TVs show health tips mixed in with Ads & commercials. Great place for a visitor to keep the workout routine at a reasonable price!

NOTE TO VISITORS: They have day passes available, and you MUST get them online to get an access…read morecode to get in. Wanted a little gym time on vacation and this hit the spot! The gym is in a sort of funky area. You have to enter a building and walk down an odd corridor to take some stairs down to the gym. It feels a bit like you're going to a basement. There really isn't natural lighting so it added to that vibe. The equipment is ok. They had enough machines and cardio equipment for most. The weight area felt a little light and small, but plenty to get a quick workout in. The people were quite nice and friendly, something I don't experience much in the states at gyms. In the states it's a laughably competitive environment where everyone tries to outdo each other. Being at a gym while on vacation, where am I going to get a protein shake, or a caffeinated preworkout? Luckily they had a pretty solid little machine there with anything you'd need pre, intra, or post workout. Def come in if you're from out of town, and if you're a downtown local, not a bad option at all!

The main thing that springs to mind when I think about Meadowbank is Sports Days from back in the…read moreday when I was at school, and the Velodrome and athletics track, which seemed to go on forever at the time. Sadly, my athletics skills never won me any trophies, but I did enjoy basking in the sun with an ice cream and watching other sportier class mates sprinting round the track. Chomping ice cream and lazing about, despite being good times all round, isn't exactly beneficial to your fitness, so I would suggest coming here and taking advantage of the extensive facilities. Whatever your fitness method of choice, there's a good chance Meadowbank will meet your needs. There's a gym, two fitness studios with tons of classes on offer, seven days a week, plus three sports halls where you can play badminton, tennis and squash, outdoor pitches, a 400m 8 lane athletics track, and a 250m outdoor Velodrome.

The best thing about Meadowbank Sports Centre is that it feels like playing in a real stadium -…read moreeven when you are just playing on the Astroturf pitches. The proper pitch there is impressive- not only a perfect pitch, but the stands tower over you whilst on this pitch. It is most likely that you will visit here for the Astroturf pitches. Get together enough people and you should be able to get an hour's session for £4. It's not the cheapest, but in winter it can be the best on offer. The pitches themselves are fairly large - much bigger than Power League pitches and 7-a-side would be ideal. The only downside is the low fence at one end which does not stop quite as many balls as you would hope. Given that the gate is off to the side and given that they sometimes practise javelin throwing on the patch behind, this can be annoying - it will, however, teach you to keep your shots down.

I did my research before joining a gym in Edinburgh, and I think that this is definitely a…read morefive-star gym that beats out the rest on quality and price. It is not just the new, fantastically-built university gym for Edinburgh University, but it is also a community gym that welcomes members of the public to join as well, for just slightly higher rates. I like that this gym has variety and great quality. The main cardio room has great machines with touch-screen TVs that are easy to navigate and the best and most current gym technology. Behind this room is a weight room that can be very busy with lots of testosterone monopolizing the weights, but at lunchtimes it is much less busy and intimidating. In the back, with stunning views of Arthur's Seat, is my favorite gym room with great elliptical trainers along the walls and many large individual mats on the floor for using weights, medicine balls, exercise balls, etc. It is much more calm than the other rooms. I also love the classes. So far, I have been to two spinning classes, two Zumba classes, and a circuits class. They have all been great with really nice and helpful instructors. You book all of the classes online from seven days before the classes, but can also sometimes show up and see if there is extra space to join in. Spinning definitely fills up quickly, but it's worth it! This is a fantastic place and has a great vibe about it. With your membership, you also have access to the pool that's in another building. Thus far, I have been more than happy with all of the many other offerings in the main building!

great gym, just the hours, the open hours should always be the same 6am or earlier. Many if not…read moremajority of gym goers are early birds, but have to wait till 9am, on sat and sunday. Notice there's a queue every weekend. All gyms , rcp included, open real early 7 days a week as they know this, dont be lazy and open earlier!

I've been a member of this gym for a few years now and although it's expensive and I'm trying to…read morespend less money, I just can't bring myself to give up membership!! There are various levels of membership depending upon what level of access you want. I have the most basic level which gives you gym, pool, most classes. There are also membership levels for raquet sports and spa. The main gym area is huge, and even at peak times you never need to wait for cardio equipment. There are lots of free weights and weights machines around the perimeter of the room. The one downside to this area is the spinning area, which has the music turned up LOUD during the classes which is not so good if you don't like the music! The view are amazing, looking out over the forth. Theres an ok selection of classes, most of which are free (pilates and dance are extra). The changing areas are nice although the showers could possibly do with some TLC. The outdoor pool area is great, especially on a nice day when you can lie on a sun lounger and relax. There is also a hair and beauty area, although I personally don't like the hairdressers. There is a restaurant as well serving a good variety of food at average-slightly expensive prices Long review, but in summary, swanky gym with good facilities!

This gym must have the best views of any qym in the UK. This and the outdoor pool are definitely…read moreits selling points. However the rest is a bit disappointing! Going on the theory that if it takes more than 20 minutes to travel to a gym you're less likely to go, I joined the gym I could see from my living room window. Close it is, but whoever came up with the theory failed to mention the pleasure in attending as a major factor too!! How I wish I'd joined Virgin Active in the Omni instead! I made the mistake of going on a day off during the week thinking it would be quieter than the evenings. What a shock I got! The gym had turned into a creche, and the changing rooms had become one great nappy changing facility. Ignorance had indeed been bliss. And my gym experience has never been the same since! I see the place in a whole new light! Particularly the benches in the changing room. There's merit, I'm sure, in being family-focussed - namely for that market. But in the evenings it becomes an after-school club and for anyone wanting to change in the evenings without having kids peering under the cubicle doors, or being swept off your feet by kids hairing around in the rather ironic 'chill out' area, it's not the place to be. How short-sighted of the company, in an area with luxury new flats galore being built at an alarmingly rapid rate (and presumably not too 'child friendly'), that its not targeting that market. Crazy!!! At a cost of £744 for the required 12 months it has been an expensive mistake!

This place was a perfect end to our trip through Europe! So good that I ended up booking a second…read moreday of Escape at One the following day. The spa was not busy/overwhelming at all. A substantial amount of thermal/water amenities, all of which feel very sanitary/maintained. I wish I was able to schedule a massage - however, it is completely understandable I couldn't squeeze in an appointment the day of. I felt completely relaxed after my appointment! My only note is that the aroma mist in the salt room did not seem to work (this may have been user error). Additionally one of the showers in the locker room was not in service. Definitely recommend booking here if you are looking for a relaxing day!

The fact that this spa is roof top just says luxury to me!…read more It puts the spa into Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa, and just off Lothian Road. Mind you they can be quite pricey, but this has all got to do with the image their trying to project, as well as the various treatments they offer. As usual I haven't heard of most of them, but was particularly curious about the rainforest shower. Thankfully, I have a friend who has actually been to the Amazon (they come in REALLY handy!) and basically it's a room with showerheads all over the ceiling, so it seems as though it's raining in the room. Ofcourse if you'd rather just have a facial and a massage, they do that as well. They've got two pools, one of which is thermal, and a gym for those who'd rather "feel the burn" than relax, though I'd rather get in the sauna when there's that alternative.

Although I've never stayed at the Macdonald Hotel, I live next door to it and know it is of a high…read morestandard. I am, however, a member of their gym and have been for the past 3 years. There's a reason for my loyalty... The gym is very small, there are about 8 treadmills, two bikes, two steppers, one rower and a lot of muscle toning stuff. Yeah it's small, but I like the cosiness. The have a 14m pool which is really lovely to have a dip in before going to the sauna or steam room. The whole place is usually really quiet, in the past three years of my membership I have only ever encounted 5 other people in the gym at the same time as me. I know it's ironic that I'm writing about it on yelp - there are some things I should keep to myself - but there are some things worth sharing. If you're looking for a new gym, I would really recommend the Holyrood Macdonald Hotel Gym. For one thing, it's cheap, costs me £20 per month, it's in a lovely area to cycle or run to, and if you refer a friend you get wine, ipods, trainers and lots more! So if you're joining, mention my name...go on!

YES! Finally a 24…read morehour gym opens in Edinburgh. Pure Gym is situated on the new up-and-coming quartermile in Edinburgh, just a stones throw away from the Meadows and a short walk from the University - ideal for everyone. It only costs £17 a month to be a member of the gym, with a £20 initiation fee which is such a bargain. The gym is a really decent size and is filled with lots of workout machines and weights without being overcrowded. Every member is given a pin code which is used to enter and leave the gym, as well as enter the changing rooms. Classes are available at the gym, such as spinning, and there are plenty of personal trainers on hand to help you with your work out. Pure Gym is purely a gym - there is no swimming pool, sauna or jacuzzi, but there is a sun bed! The gym is never too overcrowded and there are always plenty of machines meaning that no one has to wait in line to use one - amazing.

So I gave Pure Gym a go…read more I've never been a member of a gym, nor have I ever been on any of those mad machines. I tried it for three days to learn the ropes and (since I'm not sure I'll have time for gyming for a bit) to try out a gym while I have a bit of free time. Applying for membership took about 5 minutes, all online and I was good to go immediately. The next day I showed up for my induction which was given by a lovely, relaxed - and most importantly completely not intimidating - lady who was patient in showing the machines, how to use them and explaining the ins and outs. After induction I was left to my own devices, so I tried out some machines. I was there at rush hour (but maybe some days are busier than others) and it was fine. There was no waiting for anything and everyone was friendly. I made the most of my brief membership and had fun. The gym itself, though I can't compare to other gyms, seems well equipped and there seems to be a relaxed atmosphere. The classes look like fun and apparently rarely fill up (even when the online thingy says they have, apparently they recommend you try showing up because there's so many no shows). There's a few rules such as: your stuff needs to be locked up (padlocks are available for £4), you need to carry a sweat towel when you're using equipment (again, available in vending machines) and there's no opportunity to bring friends (you're paying very little so I guess that makes sense!) Overall it was a good introduction to gyming. I had fun. The facilities are adequate, the staff are friendly and the atmosphere is fine.

So, it's another 2 weeks down the line and I've probably had about 6 session in the meantime and…read moreI'm still hooked!! I found myself missing it while I was away up North all last week.. (and I'm not one who misses much.. let me tell you! let alone EXERCISE!!) I still find myself impressed with the intensity of each 25min work out as well as the cleanliness of the premises and friendliness of all the staff. Better find myself a job so I can keep up this habit!!

From the owner: We give expert Personal Training and nutritional advice to help you achieve improved fitness and…read morebody shape. Through using Power Plate technology our intense training sessions last only 25 minutes giving you accelerated fitness and improved body shape in a relatively short time. Our ethos is all about helping you to be the best you can be. For One-to-One and Small Group Personal Training in Edinburgh, Fitness Studio EH1 provides expert fitness sessions and nutritional advice to improve your fitness; change your shape and tone your body. Using a vast array of training equipment combined with the Plates, such as Kettlebells; Dumbbells; Resistance bands; Viprs; Swiss & Bosu Balls; TRX etc, we guarantee improved fitness and muscle tone. Our trainers deliver full body fat-burning high intensity sessions, which get results in no time...if you're prepared to put the work in! Personal Trainers at Fitness Studio EH1 in Edinburgh, use Power Plate technology to deliver intense fitness sessions lasting only 25 minutes. Our accelerated exercise classes provide improved fitness and body shape, in a short period of time.

I had the worst experience with this club and rude customer service trying to cancel my membership…read more The locker rooms were unsanitary and slippery, with no plastic bags for your clothes or any place to put wet towels. Half of the equipment in the gym needed to be fixed and updated. The mats were dirty, and there needed to be more weights for everyone. The steam room was out of service daily, and the swimming pool was filthy. I signed up for a yoga class, and they called to cancel the same day without an explanation. I wasted my time, energy, and money. I recommend joining the One Spa Gym, which has excellent state-of-the-art equipment and a fantastic spa experience. I canceled my membership after three visits, and I paid over £100 in the joining fee, pro-rated costs, and another month on top of that. Beware of scams, and stay away from Bannatyne.

So far seems like a great gym, pool is big, always pretty quiet unless you come at peak time. And…read moreit has two decent size saunas and a steam and relaxation room. Gym is upstairs, really spacious and bright, wide variety of machines and weights etc. Cafe is big too and offers smoothies, protein shakes, and healthy breakfasts and meals if you're in a rush! I'm yet to try a class so will comment on that later. My only gripe is that it's only open until 8pm Saturday's and Sunday's, I work 12 hour shifts at weekends quite often and would love to come for a swim afterwards. I'm sure other Bannatyne's gyms are open later so that's something they could improve!