Okay, so it's cheap. Probably one of the cheapest gyms I've known for what you get. I wouldn't go…read moreas far to say 'value for money' as like the other reviewers say it's got a lot of faults. I don't use every piece of equipment on there. I'll be honest I mainly just use the cardio machines on my way home. So with that in mind here I what I've found. The entrance into what appears to be an abandoned part of BHS store (but isn't) can put you off at first. There is access up via stairs and two elevators, the door mechanism has some bizarre Futurama like hover tube designed to stop people sneaking in on your pass purely because they cannot fit inside it with you but I'm sure it can be done. The place has no personality, greys and blues do not look modern in this case just very out of date and a tiny bit draining. Compared to the vibrant reds, purples and the orange gym around the corner it could do with a face lift. The treadmills seem to suffer the most of faults, with them starting off and then just stopping like your punched that red emergency button. I went at what I'd think to be one of the peak times yesterday at about 5pm and I had no problem getting equipment either for which I was surprised. The view you get does sort of make up for it, the floor to ceiling windows does prevent the hobbit feeling I got in my last gym which had no windows at all and was fondly(?) nicknamed the bat cave. To get this type of gym in my area e.g 24 hour I'd be paying £30+ a month so I put up with its faults, if I was a fitness aficionado I probably wouldn't go here though. Suggestions to The Gym: - Fix your equipment The water fountain could be colder A new colour scheme? Add more of that electric blue or something.

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.

Having trained with these guys for around 18 months now I can say they are the absolute smashing it…read morewhen it comes to training, their extensive knowledge and strong work ethic are second to none. Whatever your goals are, if you're serious about achieving them then these are the guys to go to At one point in my life i hate exercise, but now I'm a complete addict. They have made me want to look and feel better about myself. They offer a no frills approach by 2 dedicated yet unpretentious pair of best friends that provide a fitness package that caters to the individual i am always encouraged and persuaded to continue my fitness routine by constant reassurance, guidance, praise, nutritional advice and also a phone call on no shows! Give it a go you never know! the place is really easy to get to and they have ample parking. This place always has great psootive vibes and you leave your troubles outside and enjoy your workout. A fast paced environment, an intimate setting with a close knit group of members I now regard as friends.....more a support network really ....best for me is the online nutrition advice ....24 hr support by the trainers and peers alike!

Vibro is the only gym I've ever stuck to. Results in a matter of weeks and a friendly place to work…read moreout. Massages are fantastic too.

Once in a while everyone needs a break, and at the end of a particularly stressful week of work i…read moretook Friday afternoon off for some me time. Having had Vibro suite recommended to me by a friend I decided to check out the spa and am very glad I did. They have a fantastic range of treatments and are able to accommodate you if you want a 30 minute lunch time treat or like me an entire afternoon of relaxation. In an attempt to relax I opted for a "Deep Tissue Massage" and a "Bespoke You Facial" both were 1 hour treatments. The welcome was fantastic and I immediately felt at ease and was offered a range of drinks, the initial massage was carried out very well and actually did work to release some of the tension I felt. This was followed by a 10 minute break where I was allowed to sit relax and offered another drink. The Facial consisted of a 15 minute consultation asking about my skin type and normal routine. This was followed by a full 1 hour facial which I think was done very well. Unlike many other spas I wasn't pressured into buying any products or booking a follow up, the staff were fantastic and both treatments were great value for money. I would definitely recommend Vibro Suite.

Whilst I realise this is a review for a big chain, I really think this one needs to be shouted…read moreabout! Context: I am a fat girl. I don't want to be a fat girl any more. I have been a member of a number of gyms in the past, and for many many reasons hated it and quit. I was determined this time to find one that would work for me. Enter Bannatyne's Brindley Place: The bizarre decor immediately appealed. The pool is dimly lit, so I don't feel super self conscious about my bits being on show, and the gym itself is never rammed full of people so I never feel I'm being looked at. The muscly oiled men keep to themselves in a separate area with free weights which also helps me feel less anxious about visiting. But the real reason this place is awesome is because of two very specific people: 1) Steve Northam - he inducted me into the gym, he puts up with my whinging and my craziness over any kind of exertion, and at times he can be a little bit strange too (he does competitive fencing! Amazing, right?!) but above all he encourages me to keep at it. And it seems to be working. 2) Lee - a personal trainer who runs the spinning class on Thursday mornings and Sunday evenings. He warms us up to COUNTING CROWS (yes, I know, it shouldn't make sense but IT DOES!) and continues the sessions mixing Lady Gaga and Alanis Morrissette and Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon and on the rare occasion we manage to twist his arm to turn on the disco lights, it's like doing a bike ride at Snobs. And I've discovered I LOVE it. So. Indie / metal spinning, and crazy helpful instructors? On that note I'm IN. (ahhh cheesy ending, I know, but I couldn't resist :)

I booked this spa day through the wanada site which included use of all the health club facilities…read morea facial and a free take home product! A great way to spend a Saturday with a friend :-) Arriving at 10:30 I was determined to make use of all the facilities, and that's exactly what we did. My friend and I were shown around the health club - free water machine,changing rooms, swimming pool, steam room, jacuzzi and sauna. We spent spent our time relaxing on the loungers reading magazines and generally just chillaxing using the jacuzzi and steam and sauna rooms. The changing room facilities are great complete with the usual showers, toliets, lockers (don't forget a £1 coin!) drier for swimming costumes and hairdryers. You can also bring in your own hair straighteners to plug in. We each had a facial in the spa whereby they used a range of Elemis products on our skin which resulted in super soft skin. The spa staff were friendly and professional and I must say I felt very relaxed after my treatment as it included a head massage too. I will defintely returning for another spa day.

I did something in January I never thought I would do.... I joined a gym. I did a lot of research…read morefirst, as I wanted a place which I wasn't locked into a 12 month contract, had a pool, had classes I would do (and enjoy) and would be the cheapest option; Bannatynes won hands down. Located just off Corporation Street, it's got several bus stops around it and is a 3 - 5 minutes walk from either Snow Hill or New Street train station. I will warn you, the exterior (as you can see from the photo) isn't glamourous. If you want a place for posing and taking "gym selfies", you may want to look elsewhere. Once you are a member, rather than carrying around another pesky card - you get a pin number to enter. This is just put into the turnstile by the reception desk and Voila! You're in. As a side note, once I had decided to join - I was a member in 10 minutes and had full access immediately. Something to note if you're feeling determined! There are separate male and female changing and shower facilities downstairs and then stairs to the pool/steam/sauna area or you can grab lift to get up to the gym. The lockers are padlock operated and you have to take your own (or buy one from them). I am yet to try the actual gym equipment or classes, but all of the classes seem to be done over a range of days and times to suit even the most busy schedule. I am loving the hydrotherapy pool (perfect for post swim achey limbs) and the Sauna. The gym also has a "Bannatynes Spa". Not recommended for a "spa day" (the actual area is very nice), but you wouldn't want to head to the pool for a relaxing time as it's full of people swimming for fitness. I had my first ever massage today by a lovely lady called Steph. As a new member of the gym, I had 50% off - making a 45 minute Swedish massage experience £18. They do offers regularly, so if you are a spa person, wotrth giving it a go. All in all - there are things that could be improved. But for £29 a month - it pretty much does everything I would want a gym to do!

This place is the reason I can eat out as much as I do.....so obviously, I am a big fan…read more High-end gym equipment, a good range of classes and a fantastic swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi, make this, in my opinion, one of the best fitness centres in Birmingham. At £40 per month it is slightly more expensive than a lot of gym memberships in the city, but I think its good value given the amount you get for that. My biggest recommendation are the spin classes, they are tough but you definitely feel like you have had a good workout after one of those! A few sessions here a week....and another guilt-free weekend.....perfect.

So... I confess... I haven't had anything to drink, any exciting meals out or any late nights this…read moreweek... It's all down to joining the programme at Fit Body Bootcamp. Basically, I needed to kickstart 2015. I really don't have too many body issues, but with it being the year of my big 30 (it's in March, thanks for asking), a mega trip to Japan for my Honeymoon and a year of new challenges for Yelp Birmingham; something needed to change. I was finding my mornings getting later and later and I was snacking more and more... But what can you do to give yourself a jolt? I got an email. That's what happened. I got an email from Fit Body Bootcamp inviting me to try the "6 week transformation" package for £99. At first I was a little bit dubious. Can you really make a difference in 6 weeks? I sent some exploratory emails and found out that the deal contained nutritional guidance (including help with meal planning), unlimited access to Bootcamp sessions (with very reasonable hours) and access to a forum with the other members (for inspiration, help and a bit of camaraderie). I duly weighed, photographed and measured myself (with the help from my partner in crime, Dan G) and was shocked at how much weight I had put on. It pushed me through my first achey session on Monday and has spurred me on to give it the best go possible! The first session was hard. I'm not going to lie, HIIT is not an easy workout - but the sessions are very regular and only 30 minutes. Now, with walking TO FBB, doing the session AND walking home; this takes me more like 1.5 hours (there are no showers in the facility so you go dressed and then go on to work or home to get ready for the day), but this is a small amount of time to give when the potential benefits are so high. The trainers are really great! I have trained so far with Oli and Toni and both of them have been big on energy, supportive and helpful (allowing me to do an alternative exercise when the one recommended is too tough). The training regime also changes every day, so you don't get bored or used to a particular kind of session. The nutritional information can be a little tricky to follow at times, but I have found the community forum a great place to share tips, tricks and pitfalls. Any question that's asked generally get's answered within a couple of hours. I am only in week 1. Only time (and my willpower to stay off the booze) will tell if I get the results... But stay tuned Yelpers! I will let you know how it goes!