The Central City Roller Girls is a team on the forefront of the global phenomenon of roller derby…read more They're relatively new, but have aggressively pursued greatness and recently were recognized as the #2 team in Europe. They take beginners and train them. They have multiple teams and play all over the UK. Their home base is in Birmingham. Their bouts are high energy and exciting. centralcityrollergirls@blueyonder.co.uk It's interesting to see the number of mothers on the team. One corner of the arena seems to be a playland of mothers and their children.

For my daughters 8th birthday i took her and some friends to watch CCR in a bout. I was nervous…read morethat the kids may get bored.... how wrong i was, to be worrying! Feedback from parents was that their kids won't stop talking about it! I bought each of the girls a lovely pin badge and sticker, from the merch stall (instead of the usual goody bag of tat) and when given them at the end of the day, they all handled them like they'd been given a piece of treasure, which was lovely to see. One mum has reported back to me that her daughter is wearing hers everyday. To top it off, the birthday girl said it was the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER. From my perspective, the day out to watch CCR, went down a treat because the children could watch when and as much as they wanted to yet still play and be typical kids. Not many places they are allowed to do that! As soon as we walked in everyone was very welcoming and friendly, one lady brought colouring sheets of roller derby players and a huge box of crayons over to the kids, whilst another chap brought extra chairs out for us. Right at the end everyone lined up so the derby players could roll past and slap their hands... the hand slaps went down a treat, you'd think the kids hand all just shook hands with royalty! The CCR girls went out of their way to give my youngest (2yr old) mini slaps, kudos from me and the grandparents there it was so cute! There was just a wonderful atmosphere, buzzing, lively, fun, friendly! Even my parents really enjoyed it, now they want to go back to watch more and at first they weren't going to come with us at all! Under 12s were free to get in, I only had to pay for the adults which worked out at about five quid each having bought online in advance. There were cupcakes for sale, a raffle, merch stalls for the different teams and a skate hut stall selling all sorts of bits and bobs for any skaters needs. There were vending machines in the sports centre for buying drinks but we took bottles of juice in and snacks to. I knew my best friend and I would enjoy the day, we have all our outdoor skate gear and so far have managed to wobble up and down the hall lol. Me far more pathetically than she. I need to hurry up and let myself fall, so I can get over the fear! We were both oozing friendly jealousy at the awesomeness of the skating from CCR We have been inspired to get on and learn properly by taking advantage of the lessons offered by CCR, on a Saturday. This really is a sport for any age, wether you be watching on the side lines and cheering the skaters on. Or if you want to strap some skates on your feet and have a go yourself.... Go for it, I promise you won't regret it. Especially within such a lovely environment full of skilled, friendly folks.

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!

Me and a friend went to Temple Martial Arts as a bit of a giggle after we were handed a flyer in…read moretown. I am so glad we went down now, we were really looked after when we got there and had a fab lesson with Jess! Pretty cool to have a female black belt show you how its done! The classes are lots of fun and we've made tons of friends since we've been there.. but best of all I can fit into my skinny jeans again! :) Would recommend it to everyone (and do to anyone who will listen!!), whether you want to get fit, learn some really cool self defence moves, that actually work! or just for something fun and different to do!

What a gem of a place!…read more The two girls who work there are just so lovely. Always smiling, always happy to help out. Temple really is a refreshing change from all the other "macho, we're gonna kick your head in" places you find in Brum Centre. Simon, the chief instructor is mature, respectful, kind and an awesome tutor. I really cannot, having had bad experiences at other city centre academies, say a bad word about Temple. Well done guys!

I have sent 3 of my swimming for the last 2 years. the staff are always so lovely and friendly. I…read moream so pleased with the outstanding service I have always received from Lily the manager of swimming lessons. she always responds back to messages and deals with all my issues in a very prompt manner. Thank you Lily and your team for all the support. Husnara Ali

As council run leisure centres go, this is one of the better ones…read more Living in the city this is the easiest/closest to get to on the train. I get on at Birmingham New Street and Stetchford is just 1 or 2 stops away depending on the train and time. Costing me just £1.60 (With a railcard) The facilities here are the best I've found without having to join an expensive gym/health club. Offering a full 25m pool as well as two smaller pools and of course the "cascades" in a separate and enclosed area. This offers a great space for kids to have fun and for me it means they don't crowd the main pool allowing you to swim lanes in peace. It can get busy from 4-7 so I tend to get there for 8pm and swim an hour which I usually do 80 lengths. This costs me £4.30. The changing rooms and showers are decent and usually pretty clean, no need to sanitise yourself upon exiting. Friends of mine use the gym and the classes, such as RPM, which they praise. You can even top up your tan here, apparently.

Great spin classes and circuit training as well as a full size pool and steam room…read more Gym is never too busy and overlooks the canal which makes it a great place to work out. Membership is a little more expensive than other gyms in the area but worth every penny.

I have been a member of the Gym for few months now. it was my next option after my previous gym…read moredecided to relocate to Solihull. The positives: - Centrally located ( City centre) - Affordable ( for a student like myself) - more than enough machines - accessible 24hrs, meaning I can hit the gym when I can't sleep :) - always kept clean by staff - friendly staff The negatives: - not very suitable for body builders - could be too crowded sometimes (depending on the time of the day) - some of the popular machines are no more in very good form Overall, if you want somewhere cheap, quality and central, this is for you.but if you are a body builder, you might want to try somewhere more suitable.

I've tried and tried to get satisfaction from the management here, to no avail…read more Persistent issues include: - loud, terrible music that they WILL NOT turn down. I hope that we can file a class action suit against them for hearing loss because they really don't care about health and safety - rough sleepers in the hallway because they won't fix the front door - virtual classes often not doable because of screen being off, sound being off or volume being up to the max - stinking lift (the one that works, other is perpetually out of order) and accessible bathroom. It's enough to make you retch. - messy - unfriendly

Another fine sport venue in Birmingham with plenty of history to be discovered. Edgbaston Priory…read moreClub is dated from 130 years ago but the currently facility is a complex dated from 1964, as a result of the merger between two traditional clubs: Edgbaston Law Tennis Club and Priory Lawn Tennis Club. Edgbaston Priory Club also hosts some important competition such as AEGON Classic and the traditional WTA Tour stop. Placed in a very privileged area of Birmingham, this very modern club has 29 tennis courts, 10 squash courts, indoors and outdoors swimming pools, a fitness centre, bar and restaurant and it's considered one of the largest and most popular racquet and leisure clubs in UK.

Been going here for 11 years. It has just recently (2013) renovated, and is more awesome than ever…read more There are two swimming pools, over 10 squash courts, many tennis courts, two restaurants, and much more. They give lessons of squash, tennis and swimming. The service in priory is just amazing. It's like one big family. It is VERY children-friendly-my son goes there for his swimming lessons on his own- and my whole family go on Sundays to swim in the pool. We also do squash. Once you are a member, you can book out squash courts, tennis courts, get points when you buy food, get deals on lessons, and children even get their own card to buy food with (only if you want them to), get themselves into the place by scanning their card (my daughter feels like a secret agent scanning her card into the machine). Overall, priory is one of the best leisure clubs around Birmingham. I would definitely recommend this place.