I was here quite a bit over the weekend for the International Children's Games Lanarkshire 2011…read more They used the Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds for the boys and girls football tournaments. The pitches are spaced out well and it was well labelled so we were able to find the games we were to film. The sports grounds are part of Strathclyde Park but owned by South Lanarkshire Council. This site was were T in the Park used to be before moving to Balado. The grounds are easy to get to with motorway access from the M74. I believe the grounds can also be used for American Football, rugby, cricket, and also has a couple of bowling greens and synthetic tennis courts. Unfortunately we didn't get to film the tennis and there wasn't any of the other sports on. Good facilities though with reasonable prices going from their website. They is also a Pavillion which is the main building for the changing areas and toilets. They also have plenty of vending machines to keep you going.

This place has been in Motherwell since I was born. It's hard to imagine Motherwell without it…read more It used to be a swimming pool/ice rink combo with many a Sunday afternoon spent here skating when I was younger. The ice rink has since been done away with and replaced with a really good gym, probably the biggest and best in North Lanarkshire. The swimming pool is a fun pool, barely a metre deep and only good for splishy splashy times, not a proper swim. They have a good health suite with a sauna and steam room where, despite the signs about NOT shaving, there are always hairy old men shaving. The pool is rarely busy aside from summer time when kids under 16 can swim free when it is bedlam. The gym, as I said, is ace. There is at least two of everything so you are guaranteed to get a shot of whatever it is you are wanting to use, with some really modern equipment. The 'gym music' can be really loud which drowns out my own work out playlists much to my annoyance, but other than that, there isn't much to fault the place. A busy place.

The aquatec is actually a really well-equipped gym. The gym itself is in the same layout as the old…read moreice rink, and it works. I was a member here for a while, so let me explain, for a student it is only £15 a month and you can with that use any of the North Lanarkshire gyms. When you join you are given an induction with a personal trainer, who writes you a workout card to your specific needs and goals. You can use the gym at any time with a membership and get a place on any of the classes, spin, body pump, you name it, its free. You will need to book the week before though becasue they get filled up quite quick. If you do not want to to join as a member I think the original induction is around £8, and the n subsequent visits are maybe £3 something. So after a few visits you are better just becoming a member.

This is a great place in Motherwell, on the route of express buses from Buchanan Bus Station and…read moreround the corner from the main train station in Motherwell. It's got a soft kiddies play area (Ziggy's) a trampoline area (BounceZone) and an amazing lazer zone (Lazertag). I remember when the place opened me and a mate went in for a look and got a tour around the place when it was fully lit and they showed us the equipment. It was super cool. A regular Sunday afternoon booking followed for almost a year in a big squad where we would shoot each other up with silly avatar names. Sometimes we even hooked up our I-Pod to shoot each other up to our favourite tunes. Sneaking around in the dark with the Metal Gear Solid theme tune playing.. about the most fun I have ever had in my life. The lazer zone is really really good, probably the best one around, with 'Gems' kicking around which are computers on the wall that shoot you if you don't shoot them first and they give you special powers that give you an edge. They change the layout often enough to keep it interesting and there are a fair few game options. The prices are decent and the staff are friendly and up for a laugh. They do bookings and lock ins which is cool. The only annoyance for me is that they need to run through the equipment every single time which is a pain when you just want to start shooting people in the face! Good for kids.

Not one for the mindless shooting of people in the dark, i gave the laser quest in here a miss…read more However i do enjoy a soft play area, so Ziggy's was perfect. We took our nephew here when he was visiting and he loved it; three floors of netted in soft play, ball pools, ropes and slides. You can see everything the little terrors are up to in here, and run in to rescue them if need be. It is also really cheap, and perfect for a rainy afternoon where the kids would usually be causing havoc on the couch with crayons. I was too big to go in though (sadface)

I did not know that this magnificant building existed until I was told to head along to film…read morebadmington and judo for part of the International Children's Games in Lanarkshire. I knew that the old Ravenscraig area was in development and Motherwell College was going to be built there but I didn't know about this amazing sports facility. I got a wee bit lost when I was looking for it and very kind old gentleman helped as best he could when he saw me stop and pull out my notes. He actually gave me directions to Motherwell College but it didn't matter as the sports facility is only along the road another few hundred yards. The building is very space age looking but very much a modern feel leisure centre when you head in. There is so many facilities and space for all different kind of sports and there's also viewing platforms. I headed into to film the badmington and noticed people up on these balconys. The kind members of staff escorted and helped me up to the viewing platform. I got a great view and film some exciting fast paced badmington. Jings these kids are good. I also filmed the judo, in which I passed through a small cafe. The hall was massive as it was being shared with more badmington tournaments. I only got to see what seemed a small part of this massive complex so I think this would cater to all your sporting needs.

I am now discharged from the hospital so no more appointments for me. Yay! I'm free to start…read moreexercising again. I've not been to the gym since the collapse of my lung so feeling I need the workout. It did take me 2 weeks to try and join but I eventually got there. They did I advise to join a 'Keep Well' scheme but unfortunately none of the doctor's surgeries in the area had heard of it. Never mind I'm a member now. I've had my full induction into The Club (the gym), with a cardio programme designed for what I need, a resistence programme (all that weight lifting stuff) for a low impact workout, the buzzy plates, where they vibrate you to bits... err to strengthen and tone, my nutrition plan and a health check. So I'm ready to rock 'n' roll and get myself back to a super vision of health. I've been a couple of times already and starting to feel the benefit already. The staff are all very helpful and friendly which makes it a pleasant visit. As a member I can also use the sauna and steam room, swimming and any of the classes. I've not been to the sauna in years but to be honest I prefer a wee class rather than been pure sweaty in a wooden box, personal preference really. Angela B. was asking about starting up badminton and I said yeah you just have to hire the court, racquets and shuttlecocks. As Angela's a non-member she only pays for half of the court and I don't need to pay anything as it's included in the membership. So we decided to half the payment making it just over £2 each. Bargain! We had an awesome time on the court, there was some others playing but it didn't interfere with our game. We had such a laugh that we're booked up for the following week. The only thing about the sports hall is the lighting, it's very orange and when the shuttlecock was up in the air at some points the lights were blinding. It's true, that's why I missed some shots. Honest!! I've been coming here on/off since it opened in 1982, and yes I remember being there with my mum at the swimming. This is where I had my swimming lessons and came here with my primary school. It's filled with many memories for me and it's still a brilliant centre for the community. I've heard on the grapevine that it's due for a refurb again, I know it's had some already, especially to exterior and the reception. It's good that it's been looked after and kept up-to-date. I can't wait to get back on the court and I must go along for a wee swim and swim like a swimmy thing.

A sports centre located within the main shopping street in Blantyre. Some of it looks in need of…read moredecoration. Swimming pool is nice but basic but is always lovely and warm. They have 2 pools --a larger one and a smaller baby pool. Communal changing rooms which are nice and warm and big. They also have a gym upstairs.

This is a good leisure centre that has a well equipt gym and a large swimming pool. There are also…read morehalls available for hire that are often used for football, netball and basketball. The centre also runs a number of aerobic classes and rents out space to martial arts groups.