I have been using this gym for a couple of months now, and the staff are really friendly and…read moreaccommodating. I tried a number of places around the region before settling for this one. I coach athletes and introduced some of them to this gym. Both male and female of varying ages and abilities and none of them are intimidated by the body builders that go. The clients are mixed, those who want to get BIG and those who want to be slimmer. check it out. Coach

Hometone Fitness is the best value for money personal training available in the West…read moreMidlands/Birmingham area. Jamie, the owner of Hometone Fitness, is a great guy, and I can't say enough good about him. Last year, for my wedding to my lovely DH, I needed to get in shape forthwith. I Googled around for personal trainers, and met with a few, and even got personally attacked and slandered by one (review forthcoming)! Then finally, I found Hometone, who charge just £20 per session - a solid £10-20 per hour less than most trainers in the region. I was with Jamie for 4 months, and gained so much stamina, athletic ability and muscle, I felt awesome and full of win. Jamie was polite, punctual and always fair. On two occasions, I had to cancel at short notice due to family crises, and though his cancellation policy was 24 hours, he let me go without charging me. Originally from Milton Keynes, Jamie has a charming, Estuary English manner and accent. Fit but not fitness obsessed, Jamie's approach is practical. Our sessions were weight and cardio-heavy on days I had more energy, and more toning and Pilates-focused if I was ill or lacklustre. He always pushed me, but never too much. He's been practicing personal training for 6 years, and has a solid customer base around the Birmingham region, with excellent testimonies from long-term, happy clients. When I had to end our personal training due to work committments, he was completely understanding, and even gave me a free body test session to end our training together. I looked great for my wedding, and was complimented on my toned arms and back (I wore a low-backed dress). I also had great fun doing it, and didn't have to stress about wearying gym sessions on my own.

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.

I have actually been SO surprised by this place! Dont judge a book by its cover has never been more…read moreapparent....im sorry if you're reading this Sports Direct but it looks terrible from the outside.....but inside the facilities are actually pretty good. There are some nice changing rooms....with hairdryers for boys.....this makes me very happy.....a mixed gym + a female only space and also studios for classes and spin. Although I havent used the gym here yet I have been doing bootcamp, spin and bodypump. For the price the classes are well put together and the instructors are great. This is a pretty budget gym financially so I was surprised to see that they have so much to offer. its like £20 a month for classes, swimming and use of the gyms. Just a heads up there is a three month cancellation so bare that in mind when signing up but for me this is the best in the area for the $$

I use the sports centre at the University of Birmingham a lot and while it does have positive…read moreaspects it is pretty dilapidated. The abundance of squash courts is a major plus, I don't know anywhere else in striking distance which can boast 7 courts, including three glass backed for easy viewing. Also there are numerous facilities for activities including: badminton, dance, gym, tennis, swimming and located across the university: 5-a-side, rugby, football, martial arts etc. However, it is soon to be demolished (the track has already closed) and as a consequence it hasn't been updated in a long while. The gym is tiny, the pool is only 25m (not Olympic size as stated below) and the tennis courts are almost unplayable due to a huge number of cracks and shabby nets. The changing rooms are clean enough but the showers areas are grim and the shower-heads are only about 5'10" off the ground (I'm pretty average height and I have to squat to get my hair wet). There is also a small cafe/bar which is nice enough but underwhelming and an overpriced, rarely open sports shop (£8 for a pair of football socks). It's functional and a pretty good facility for students and the wider community but the new-build can't come soon enough as far as I'm concerned.

If you are looking for a private swimming pool or sports club but so as not to break the bank, then…read morethis could be the place for you. I was a member for about 2 years, although I am no longer for reasons I'll explain below. Firstly, the centre is part of the University of Birmingham. You can join as a non student and if you are alumni you will get a slightly cheaper rate. I joined for the swimming pool and you can get a swim only membership for a reasonable amount (it was about £12 a month I think when I was a member). The pool is great - longer than any of the other public pools at 30m. If you time it right you could get it to yourself but this is rare (university holidays are the best time for using the pool!). Basically membership works if you can work around the student timetable - it is out of use quite a lot although I think they always have it open for morning and lunchtime swims. This is why I'm no longer a member as I can't work around the limited availability of the pool. Do note though that during the university holidays they do often allow pay as you go membership which is fantastic because it is also the quietest time for the centre. The changing rooms are clean and bright. They also have a sauna there. Hopefully this has changed but when I was a member the ladies loos were awful with a terrible smell all the time! I have also done the pilates course at the centre, taught by Esther and she was excellent!

After recently deciding to move gyms, I began my search for a more hardcore gym, as opposed to the…read morefitness orientated ones further into Birmingham. My search took me to Narnas in Bartley Green, a boxing gym. Despite only being a small establishment, Narnas still has the necessary equipment that most gyms have. A big plus point for the gym is the plate system, allowing you to pile plates on to the apparatus rather than having a fixed weight built into the machine. A very old fashioned gym, it does attract some serious lifters, but that should not deter you, although maybe this particular establishment might suit those who like to shift some serious weight. At either £4 per visit, £9 a week or a standard £20 monthly payment, It is also cheaper than other gyms nearby.

Im a skinny guy, i eat like 4 KFC's a day and im still skinny, i cant help it. Over the past few…read moreyears i've kept trying to start going to the gym and get massive but i can never seem to stick at it. But i always end up coming here. This is a simple gym but has all you'd need to get strong, it has no introduction, no safety demonstations (unless requested) and no personal trainers. Just a gym with 2 floors of well looked after machine and weights. You dont have to be a member, just pop in and pay on the door and stay for as long as you need too. There are some massive guys here so i know for a fact the gym is good enough even for people at top levels. The changing room and shower rooms are basic too but its all you need, its a gym not a tanning studio ya know? Really good all round gym, not of this fancy stuff, just a gym.

I've recently joined this gym as it's conveniently locate opposite my work. While the building…read moreitself from e outside may look a little worn, it's not like that on the inside! As you enter, you have the reception desk in front with the gym area to your left, and swimming pool off to your right. The gym is full of equipment for cardio work and has a huge weights area. I've always managed to use the equipment I want and it's very modern. If you want you can charge your iPhone and watch/listen the television on your own treadmill. This is also available on the bikes. There is a separate room of weights we well, where you can have larger weights on the machines. And, much to my liking, a separate women's only section (at certain times) which has treadmills, cross trainers, bikes and weights. I've been in here four times this week and most of the time I'm the only person (I go around 4pm). I've been before at 6pm and while it was busy, I was able to do my full routine without having to hang around waiting for a machine. The swimming pool is 25m pool (I think). There are changing rooms right on the pool as well so no need to go far! There is lanes swimming and while it can get busy (at lunch) between lunch and the end of the work day it gets quiet. There are classes you can do which may or may not be included in your package but you can pay per class. You can only book classes on the day, so the best way is to reserve your space first thing in the morning. There's yoga, Zumba and even HIIT. The changing rooms have lockers, showers and toilets. There are also additional lockers near the gym as well; all require a pound to operate, which you get back. The staff are very helpful and willing to show you how to work the machines should you forget (like me). I really like it here and if nothing else, it's got me going to gym mor regularly. I paid £300 upfront for the year, which works out to £25pm so it's well worth it!