I friend of mine, who is a member of the Bristol Council's gym group, gave me a free pass to go to the Horfield Leisure Centre. I fancied going for a swim and had been warned against the Bristol South Swimming Pool so thought I'd give the Horfield option a try. I was really impressed, a nice big pool, with good changing facilities (clean showers!). After my swim I visited the gym which was just lovely, well lovely in a gym kind of way. It had plenty of cardio options and a real good selection of weight training options. The classes on offer there are fantastic, if you can't find something you like, or at least don't hate the thought of, I'd be really surprised. The other good thing about these council run gyms is that you become a member of all of them, so you can mix it up a little bit and go to other pools or centres to keep you from getting bored with exercising! read more

Horfield Leisure Centre - From Website - Gyms Near Me - Bristol, BST

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For swimming, Horfield Leisure Centre is far better than most public pools I've been to. The main pool is big - 25-metres long, with eight lanes, and the only thing I am not keen on is the mixed sex changing rooms. Obviously there are private cubicles, but it still feels a bit weird legging it from the pool into a cubicle past blokes in Speedos. On the other hand, at least they're kept clean and they're quite spacious. I haven't tried any of the other leisure centre facilities myself, but the gym looks well-equipped with rows of new-looking cardio and weight machines, and there are several classes offering aerobics, yoga, spinning and other types of exercise. There are also squash courts and a big sports hall for team games such as 5-a-side. If you're not going to get to the gym regularly and get your money's worth, this looks like a good budget alternative to joining a private gym. read more

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Bristol's council leisure centres are almost divided down the middle, separated out into two classes; cheap, traditional leisure centres and slick, membership-based gymnasiums. Horfield Leisure Centre falls into the second category of the Bristol Council's gym group. First impressions are that the facility is one of the best around. Classes run throughout the day, from yoga to spinning and Zumba to body pump; there really is something for everyone. They have a range of studios and squash courts to hire out and the gym itself is as pleasant as a gym can be when you're sweating up a storm. Kitted out with top of the range weights machinery and workout equipment, it makes a typically unpleasant experience seem like a stroll in the park. The changing rooms are far superior to any council leisure centre I have been in before and there are always plenty of lockers to store your belongings, as long as you have a spare £1 handy, which is returned to you on opening. Whilst the leisure facility is an impressive local gym, its grandeur is somewhat reflected in its membership prices. Even if you chose the pay-as-you-go option classes still average out at around a fiver a pop and a session in the sizeable pool isn't much cheaper! To even enter the gym a pricey induction is required and this just about makes it impossible to use the centre on a regular basis if you are earning a less than comfortable wage. On the whole though, the centre is a fantastic facility, with plenty to offer and if you can afford the membership, you will automatically become a member of all Bristol council gyms, so you can attend classes and use facilities across the entire city. read more

Get fit quick for not much dosh! You may well turn your nose up at council run sports centres in favour of pricey private gymnasiums, but you'd be wrong. Horfield Leisure Centre in particular is a good alternative. I went there because it was newly built (less than 5 years old) has an olympic sized pool and a list of classes as wide as your muscles will be once you've worked out regularly! From light Yoga, Pilates, to the the well-taught and extremely exhausting spinning there's a class for every level of fitness (or laziness!) Facilities are clean, they have a juice bar, a massive car park and the showers and changing rooms are discreet and comfortable. Warning: the gym can get super busy after work, with people jostling for the weights and running machines - avoid until late-evening. I also found the induction throrough and they set you targets and aims (i.e. to bulk up, to lose weight, to tone etc) along with small goals to help you achieve. read more

Horfield Leisure Centre - Photo from official website - Gyms Near Me - Bristol, BST

Bristol's council run swimming pools come in two different bands: lower rent cheaper ones, like Bristol South and the Jubilee, and more up-to-date ones combined with leisure centres, like this and Easton (though you have to pay about £1 more for a swim at the better ones). The facilities here are very impressive, with a large pool, a viewing area for use during competitions, and even a pool floor that can be moved up and down to vary the depth depending one which session is in progress. The staff are also very friendly - the girl on the desk actually lent my wife her hairband to use in the pool as she'd forgotten to bring one! The only reservation with these places is price. For all the nice facilities, it doesn't make a great deal of difference once you're actually in the pool, and though it may be grottier, Bristol South is cheaper and less busy. read more

This sports centre went through a refub a couple of years ago and how offers a quality range of swimming and fitness opportunities. Two pools, one a twenty five metre, eight laned model with a movable floor to cater for children and people with disabilites adn the other a large learner pool both onside viewed by up to 250 people! Horfield leisure also offers an exercise studio with wooden sprung flooring and spinning bikes, large multi-purpose sports hall for badminton, basketball, 5-a-side football and glass backed squash courts. There is a creche and the site caters for childrens parties, also a healthy eating cafe. read more

Terrible swimming lessons for kids! Staff teaching seem to be a mix of dis-interested, unprofessional group of 18-25 year olds. The teaching for kids is really inconsistent and really depends on who is allocated to teaching your child on the day. I have had both extremes - excellent teaching to really poor when the instructor would rather try to teach from the sidelines rather than get wet in the pool. I hoped it would get better - but it never did, so 3 months subscription wasted on 2 kids. read more

This is another one of the council-run gyms which is doing a pretty good job at serving the community. Problem is people come from far and wide to use the Horfield one because it's easy to park there and the pool is actually pretty good. It's much cheaper than joining a swish members-only gym and you can sort of pay as you go if that is easier. The gym is of a good standard and they have a plethora of different classes from yoga to spinning. Only thing I didn't like about it was the unisex open nature of the changing area. Yes you do have cubicles you can lock but I would prefer there to be men's areas and women's areas as it's a bit weird walking out in your swim suit only to run smack bang into a strange man who has been getting changed just inches from you. It's kept very clean though although does get really busy. read more

Am a member here and really like. The creche is really nice for the little ones. Classes are really good and the gym facilities are great. Changing rooms are nice and kept clean and tidy. Nice staff and coffee shop. read more

It certainly looks the part! The new swimming pool is amazing if not a little confusing in its timetable. There is a huge car park so you will never not find somewere to park. Thanks to the amazing Bristol city gyms membership prices it is also really cheap. Go to any city run sports centre and check it out! read more

I've been a member here for nearly a year now. Am well impressed with the staff and the equipment. We also go just for coffee and a sandwich sometimes when the kids aren't around. read more

I went for a swimming lesson to improve and although there were only two learners in the pool (me and a man who could swim very well iindeed), the instructor spoke to me for five minutes at the beginning and then ignored me for the rest of the lesson. He also disappeared for a chunk of the short lesson (25 mins) and when I asked another member of staff at the side of the pool where he was, she loooked annoyed ot have to stop chatting to her (employee) friend and said he had gone to the loo and that she was there instead. I thought it insulting to be charged money and not be taught at all and the woman who was meant to be standing in for the teacher did not look at us at all during the lesson. I complained by phone to the swimming manager who said she would observe my next lesson without anyone noticing and make sure all was well. I was dubious ie isnt it a bit late to wait for my next lesson to see if the teacher behaves himself? He is very young, tall and clearly adores himself as he walks along the side of the pool, ignores the learners, and then buzzes off for ten or more minutes. The following week I found that once in the water, the teacher did not even speak to me at all which was shocking because there were only three of us in the pool ot learn. The teacher disappeared again for quite a few minutes and, again, I was forced to ask the two women chatting on the side of the pool if they knew whbere he was and they did ie and they said they were in charge - again. But they were chatting and laughing with each other and didnt look at the pool once. At the end of tthe lesson I was amazed that the teacher was allowed to behave like this ie take half the lesson off, doesnt bother to teach and, when I aske dhim why, he replied 'Get out of the pool'!!!!!I said ' I wll not obey you because you are arrogant' but I was upset of course. I spoke to the same manager and she was not that polite. I spoke to the overalll Leisure Centre Manager; Cameron, and he was rude and said things like 'I will do an investigation to see who is wrong and who is right His manner was far from professional and I was amazed that such aperson was in charge. He basically doubted what i had said and did a little ad for the centre ie how many thousands leearn to swim there every year or whatever! He is not kindly, not profesional and really should be a lot lot more polite/professional (out of many things he did wrong or badly. REally awful manager and i have not had an email ever from him to apologise or offer rto make amends somehow. I had a letter to go to ameeting with the swimming manager but she emailed me early today to say she could not make the meeting. I have been spoken to as if I am lying (ie manager said 'someone swore at that teacher'!!!! I have not sworn at anyone ever and am polite but it seemed as if I was being accused of something i had not done etc. I do not think I will get justice for what happened ie staff seem to be closing ranks and protecting (even very lazy and rude) staff. I want to learn to swim but maybe not there even though it is the only swimming baths anywhere near me. Staff on reception mainly are fine read more

I wasnt really a fan of this gym. Very big and busy. The treadmills just cut out on me twice unexpectedly and I often had to wait in order to use the equipment. read more

I use this pool up to 3 times a week, and found mondays the best, because you have the use of the full lenght of pool , other times its half the pool which you share the othe half with school kids. Price is excellent value. Changing rooms and showers very good,and a good cafe afterwards.Parking outside in car park very good. I go on sunday morning with my wife and 8 year old grandaughter, and found the very shallow depth at one end, a help to aid her learning. I would reccommend this pool to all ages. read more

I will never be going back to this gym again. I cam with 5 other friends who all paid pay as you go and got in no worries. However, they would not let me in as the system said I had not had an induction. On the contrary, I was the only one who had. They sent me home and said the only way I would be able to enter was to pay a £40 joining fee.To make matters worse, the staff were extremely unhelpful and rude when I was being nothing but polite. I am so annoyed and would not recommend anyone going here. read more

Nice modern sportcenter. Good range of classes. Good sized swimming pool and gym. Only thing I think its missing is a sauna or steam room. Handy for an early morning swim, been there before 7 a few times. The weighted work out class is really good read more

Nice place, friendly staff, big car park, prices are really good as well. I like swimming pool, everything is well organised. Gym - a lot, good quality equipment, nice and clean changing rooms, but during the week evenings are sooooooo busy, too busy. read more

wow what a leisure centre, fantastic 100 station gym with air conditioning, cardio theatre entertainment system with 4 big plasma screens, punch and balance areas. Fantastic staff and very friendly, very new & modern (opened only 2 years ago), massive 8 lane 25m swimming pool with a moveable floor (whcih is great for swimming lessons and aqua aerobics - floor can change depth), excellent cafe with a healthy menu, very affordable membership options, there is a studio and sports hall where they have brilliant classes such as bodypump, spinning and many other different fitness classes. what more could we ask for!!! read more

A very nice and modern gym at a resonable place. There is ample cardio machines and free wights, with olympic size swimming pool. Avoid monday and tuesday evenings very very busy. read more

This gym has incredibly poor service and will take your money even when you have cancelled membership and cancelled with the bank. They then set up a new direct debit without your knowledge, so be aware! I have been left feeling extremely disappointed with the appalling service I have received since noticing this error; a lack of response to contact requests and persistent queries have been skimmed over and ignored. I feel utterly ripped off and would avoid this gym like the plague - lesson learned. :( read more