As an aspiring lightweight boxer from England, I had been training in Mendez Boxing Gym in New York…read more(moved there last year) for the last 10 months or so. My fitness has vastly improved and I have been better off because of it, however, in terms of learning the boxing fundamentals and actual technique, none of the trainers so much as gave me the time of day beyond the generic "hit the bag for 3 rounds, do padwork with x for a half an hour, now shadow box for 3 rounds" stuff you'd find in your run-of-the-mill fitness gym that facades itself as a boxing facility. Nonetheless, despite all the time and dedication I had spent in this gym, I never felt at home, and felt that my efforts and aspirations to AT THE VERY LEAST fight in an amateur setting were neglected, and it felt as if all my efforts and sacrifices were in vain no matter how hard I tried. I train 6-7 days a week and throughout the majority of those days I try and train twice (once in the morning and a second time at night) I had recently returned to England for a 2 week holiday and I had spent time with one of the trainers named Tony, who happened to be a friend of another family friend named Harry Cowap, who had a history of professional boxing in Ireland. Within a matter of a few hours I felt more at home and covered more of the rudimental boxing mechanics at Peacock than I ever did for the last 10 months at the place I was "training" at back over in New York. Nonetheless, even my family who was there to watch me train noticed that everything from my form and performance had greatly improved while training with Tony. I am currently back in New York, I'm not sure when my next trip back home to England will be, and I am currently holed up in New York finishing off uni and training at my old gym (Mendez) for the sake of keeping my fitness, however I will not forget the workout, tutoring and overall kindness that Tony and the gym provided me that day. Since then, my view on Boxing has fundamentally changed for the better and I have a new sense of instilled self-confidence in the sport! Until I return, I say Peacock keep up the damn good work and keep aiming to push and train the next generation of boxers England (or anywhere else) has to offer! Would definitely recommend Tony and Peacock Gym to any and everyone in the London area with a die-hard dream to fight professionally! Proud As A Peacock!

I do love a pamper session, well I say that but what I really mean is that I enjoy a steam and…read moresauna after a work out! However for the purposes of this review I will impart my more luxurious experience at this tucked treat. The East River Spa is delectable. It's not very big but I think that adds to it's charm. Set out east in Blackwall, its relaxation room over looks the Thames and the O2. I have much to tell you about the relaxation room, so more later. ERS is resident on the first floor of the Radisson Edwardian Hotel where it shares it's home with the hotel gym. As you may have guessed from the name, the Spa has a Eastern theme which is also reflected on the menu of treatments. Kitted out with 5 or 6 treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, an ice fountain, 6 sensation shower which basically means hot and cold showers with different pressure and of course the panoramic relaxation room. I love this room! It has heated stone beds that are curved to the contour of your body. It such a comforting feeling and many a person have been visited by the sandman whilst relaxing. Depending on the treatment you have there is the option of champagne and strawberries but if you don't opt for those extras, a sorbet, tea and or water is offered following every treatment. If that is not enough there is ofter a bowl of fresh fruit, nuts, dried fruits, both still and sparking water and a selection of teas that you are free to help yourself to. Finally there is also a small private steam room which is used for couple and steam based treatments. So for those of you who like a naked steam it might be both booking yourself in and not scaring the general public! It's happened I promise :o| The ladies at the spa a amazing, helpful friendly and some are now my friends. It's actually quite a nice thing to do if you have evening plans at the 02. All robes, slipper, shower gel, shampoo, towels etc are provided so all you need is to pop you cozzie in your handbag and you're set. Forgive me male readers that was a little sexist, if you have a manbag great, if not you might want to been the private steam room!

I have only been to the place once for Ayurvedic massage ritual. It was £95 for about 90mins of…read moretreament! It was a good experience, the staffs was nice and helpful and the treatment was fantastice. relaxing and aromatic! The treament consist of massage and a full body exfoliation after that! Love it and will highly recommend it to anyone! The place is generally quite pleasant, lots of mosiac tiles eveyrwhere! Not the best interior but good enough. There are often offers available online, I just saw one on Lastminute.com and will probably book it for my next treatment.

this review is specifically for the Swimming Pool as a non-member…read moreswimming pool is new and clean however the showers didn't work (trickle of water - no power), litter and filth everywhere, hair dryer did not work, no doors on the changing room, no car park, changing rooms smelt of urine (i mentioned the smell to the cleaner and she said she sometimes wondered if people urinated on the floor) :O to sum up...its a bit like paying for a Ferrari only to open the bonnet to find a datsun sunny engine

Did you put on a couple pounds over Xmas? Told yourself you wouldn't, you'd go easy this year,…read moredidn't quite happen. Not to fear if you're strap for cash or you're just starting out East Ham gym is great for beginners and those who know what they're doing. The service's good with helpful gym team players and it's rarely full so if you're worried about people focusing on you for what ever reason relax. The reason I say beginners is because the weights start from the beginning (3kg) and gets heavier (4,5kg etc). Some gyms only have the slide disk weights and start heavy (6kg)and just get heavier. Personally when I was starting out I found it useful that you could work at your own pace and start at any level you were comfortable with. And hey if I was doing crap I was near enough the only person there so I didn't worry about, well I don't think any one got me on You Tube.

I booked a free day pass on the Internet and then just went straight down to the glamorous location…read moreof Woolwich. If you drive, you can park in the car park beside the gym. Be sure to pay for enough time, or you may have to do as I did and run out in your shorts to buy another hour. Once inside the gym, the friendly member of staff opened the turnstile for me and let me in. The gym itself is an ex Fitness First unit. The main training area has 19 treadmills, about 14 elliptical machines, 3 rowing machines, 4 recumbent bikes and two hand bikes (like a bike but you pedal with your hands). There was also the old style Life Fitness strength machines and some newer Technogym gear. They also had a stretching room, which had an abdominal machine, lots of mats and some ladies dumbbells. In addition there was a spinning studio with 18 bikes - they do cinema spinning classes here (no instructor), plus a studio with some more cardiovascular equipment and some leg machines. To the back of the gym was a free weights room, which was quite tatty, dark and masculine! I didn't see any girls in there - just macho types. It did get a bit crowded in there and I feel that considering the demographic of this gym, they should dedicate more space to free-weights. Although the changing rooms were large enough there were only five showers, which were a bit old and not too glamorous. Anyway, I did have a warm shower! Chatting to members, it's evident why most people joined this gym - the very cheap price: £12 per month for an 18 month contract + £38 admin; £189 one off payment for one year; £19 per month (one month notice to cancel the membership) - admin fee is normally £29. I spoke to several people in the gym, who paid in the gym and got a discount. One guy said that he paid £100 up-front for the whole year. Another guy, who had joined that day paid £160 for the year. A lady told me that she had been on a rate of £10 per month for some months until the promotion ran out. To summarise I will say that this gym is for you if you are on a tight budget, you live in Woolwich and you don't mind mixing it with all types. Most of the people looked as if they were from the lower income bracket. Of course, this does not mean that they are bad people and, in fact, all the people that I spoke to were friendly and very nice. Although, some of the equipment had not been looked after, this place is still real value, so I'm giving it a 3 - and by the way, I had a real good work out here!

It's a great stress busting and fun class and as old and flabby as I am, I don't feel out of place…read more Box4Life do Tuesday and Friday night non-contact boxing for 8 16 year olds, which my daughter attends and enjoys very much. Now after many requests they are doing this Wednesday Boxercise Class for Adults, it is coached by the charismatic boxer Peter Akubuko.

Boxercise on Wednesdays 6.30 - 7.30 pm is my new mid week wake up, this class coached by boxer…read morePeter Akubuko, gets me that burn and set me right to battle to the weekend. My daughter does the 8 - 16 year old class on Tuesday and loved it, so it was time I gave it a go and I've not looked back

Reece Mander Fitness is top-notch! Expert trainers, varied workouts, and supportive community. Saw…read morereal results and loved every session! Pros: Expert trainers, varied workouts, supportive community

From the owner: RMF was created to empower people with the knowledge they need to succeed. As trainers, our job is…read moreto teach you the skills so you can get slim, and stay that way.