This is quite potentially the best and most unique gym I've ever been to. It's not part of a big…read morechain? And you won't find rows of treadmills here. In fact, I don't think I've even spotted one. They're ethos is very much goal orientated and as a smaller gym the level of service you receive is exceptionally high - every trainer there already knows my name! There's an induction of sorts, but it's far more tailored and personal, addressing potential movement issues and determining what your goals are and how they can help you to attain them. From the movement assessment "danger areas" are highlighted and you're given coloured wristbands to alert the trainers when you need to have exercises modified with the ultimate goal of being able to hand back the wristbands when you've strengthened weak areas. For my the jewel in the crown is that they have a boxing club complete with punch bags and a boxing ring! Whilst it's not as cheap as some big chains I'd very happily pay the membership to receive the service, encouragement and community atmosphere that this gym has.

From the owner: Primal is not your average gym. Named in the Telegraph as "the best gym in the UK for people who…read morehate the gym", we pride ourselves on being different. Our aim is inspire change; change in the life of our members and change across the whole health and fitness industry. We do this by making fitness fun, building strong communities and delivering proper coaching to help people get results and lead healthier, happier lives. Most gyms simply rent equipment. At Primal, we are with you every step of the way on your fitness journey. Your progress is our priority.

I in no way joined the Edge on a stereotypical new years turkey-munching, port-swilling, mojitos in…read morethe afternoon, yes I ate a whole toblerone whim this January. It only opened at the end of last summer and sits just behind the LGI car park. As of yet I have only used the pool and sauna facilities, which are clean, well maintained and not oversubscribed. I might admit to being easily impressed by the heated changing room floors and shorts dryer, but so far so good. Gym facilities (from what a friend tells me) are top notch and with state-of-the-art equipment. I also like the fact they play music in the pool, as it A: Distracts me from the fact I'm exercising and B: Includes a lot of mid 90s indie music that tricks my brain into thinking I'm 18 again and therefore physically fitter than I actually am. My vanity therefore gives them 4 stars....

I have been around the world, and I have seen all kinds of gyms, But this is perhaps the ONLY great…read moreGym I have ever been. They have really high standard equipments. And their staff are friendly.

So after a recent dabble in the world of gymming thanks to some LA Fitness Groupon vouchers, I…read moredecided I'd join a gym. My choices were pretty limited given that I don't drive and Mr MacDoo's working hours are such that I have to be at home looking after the Mini MacDoo's in the evening, so after ummiing and ahhing about affordability and would I stick to it, I took the plunge and joined the VirginActive gym on Kirkstall Rd. I've been a couple of times now and I'm pretty impressed. I went for an off-peak membership and so far I've only been on a weeknight quite late (9pm-11pm) so I can't really comment at the mo on how crowded it gets at other times. The ladies changing room is clean and spacious, and the lockers are huge. The gym's cardio equipment is great with either little things that you can plug your headphones into and listen in to the various different channels being shown on the TVs around the room, or some even have TVs built in, so you can run/step/cycle along while watching Eastenders/news/the footy which is great. The weights machines all seem good too, with fancy high-tech displays that show you how smoothly you are working out which helps with technnique. The pool is fabulous, if a little cold! At the times I've been, the pool has been practically deserted and I've been able to swim lengths in peace. The pool is lit beautifully as well, which makes for a lovely night swimming experience. There's also a kids pool which looks a lot of fun, although I haven't brought the Mini MacDoos down here for a splash just yet. For me, the crowning glory is the spa room. Bubbles and jets of water everywhere in a pool that's as warm as a relaxing bath. Wooden recliners around the lovely dim relaxing room. A steam room and sauna are included too. A total haven of relaxation after your workout and swim. 'Well, Rosey...' you must be thinking 'why only 4 stars and not 5 then?' Good question. The only thing that lets this place down is the price. Not so much of the membership - that's expensive but, to be fair, pretty par for the course at any big chain gym of this standard - what I think really disappoints for me is the cost of taking my family along. There is a creche available but it would cost me a chuffing fortune to make use of it. And if I wanted to to take Mr MacDoo and the Mini MacDoos along one afternoon for a swim, that would cost us £20! So come on Virgin, sort it out! If they made bringing the family along cheaper, I reckon we'd have a nice afternoon down there a couple of times a month (especially as winter sets in and we're looking for more indoor things to do) And who know, if he liked the look of it enough, Mr MacDoo might even join! But at current prices, it'll just be once in a blue moon I think.

Pros - Modern, Clean, lots of Machines, Swimming pool…read more... Cons - can be very very busy But overall best gym in Leeds by far!

Good price but you get what you pay for. This gym is really geared towards people who want to do…read morecardio. Although there are a lot of weight machines, for people who want free weights its a very small space with limited equipment. I struggle to get on things even during non peak times. Don't bother coming at peak times if you want free weights. Big empty room which never seems to be used would probably be better used as another free weight section tbh.

A functional gym that caters for the busy city worker. It's open 24 hours a day - 7 days a week…read morewhich means it can always fit into your daily routine. It includes all the latest machines and is never over crowded which makes it very easy to workout. The staff are very helpful, though I have yet to have a personal fitness session they still offer lots of advice and help. Overall, its a basic gym, without the frills and luxuries, but doesn't lack in quality.

I must stress that I am reviewing the pool, the faciities and the staff. I know nothing about the…read moregym or classes and if anything they would bring the rating down as the gym looks small (from what I have seen through windows) and the classes not that varied. However the pool is great, smaller then a normal pool as an L shape with 10 meter lengths rather than the average 25. It is very clean, hot showers and has jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. The changing rooms again are small but everything you need is provided, towels, showergel, hairdryers etc... The staff so far have all been great, really helpful and willing to do that little bit more to make you want to go to the gym :)

This is our home gym! Staffs are absolutely lovely here. Andreia, Candi and Audrey are the best…read morePTs. Love their classes too! Well done Ric for managing the club; always clean and welcoming.

It's new! It's shiny! It's mega-cheap!…read more Just come out of my first session at this brand spanking new gym in Leeds, part of the Merrion Market redevelopment and the regeneration of what's become known as the 'Arena Quarter'. I had reservations about signing up for a budget gym, as my main motivation getting me through a workout in the past has been a lovely swim at the end, but as it goes I didn't miss it that much in the end. But enough about me... The gym is lovely and airy and the equipment is all well spaced out. Spread over two floors, the ground floor has tons of cardio equipment - cross trainers, bikes, rowing machines, treadmills. There's even a handful of swanky cross trainers that have an incline feature, and a couple of stair machines that look like mini escalators! As well as all the cardio machines, there are a smattering of weights machines, a couple of powerplates, and a rope pulling machine! Moving downstairs there's a raised area with free weights, more cardio machines, an area with a load of bikes set up for spin classes, a studio area for classes and a large mirrored area for people to use kettlebells, gym balls and other bits and bobs. I haven't done a class yet, but I'm booked in for a step class on Thursday morning and Intro to Kettlebells on Saturday - eek! The class timetable looks ok, there are around 40 classes per week, running in the mornings, lunchtimes and evenings. My only gripe is that the evening classes don't start until after 5pm, and as someone who finishes work at 4pm and has kids to see before bedtime, I'd prefer a few starting 4-4.30pm. Like most budget gyms, this one is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, with staff on site from 6am until 10pm. The front door and the changing rooms are accessed using the PIN number they give you when you join. I went at 6.15am this morning for a workout before work and it was nice and quiet at that time, although by the time I went to shower and change at 7.15 the changing rooms were getting pretty busy. I expect, as it's so central, that 7-9, 12-2 and 4-7 will likely be fairly high-traffic times (my pal Ally who also went there this morning just after me said she had to queue for the showers at 8am), especially at the moment as it's newly opened and people are in the determined just-signed-up phase! Downsides for me: obviously the lack of a pool is a huge negative, but not going to deduct stars for that as it's a budget gym. Where this gym loses a star from me is the complete absence of water fountains! Staying hydrated is SO important when you're working out, so to not supply with free water is a massive black mark for me. Luckily I took a bottle of water along with me anyway this morning, must remember this every time! Another small mini gripe is a lack of tv channels on the screens around the place, there's just a standard 'Pure Gym TV' type channel - other gyms I've been members of in the past have had headphone jacks in the machines so you can choose which channel you'd like to watch and listen to the audio. However, value for money wise, it's difficult to knock. I signed up with the 'early bird' offer so I'm paying £10.99 p/month and the joining fee was £15. Standard price is £17.99 p/month with a £25 joining fee. Given that that is a third of the price I was previously paying at my 'premium' gym, I think it's excellent value. With family commitments it's pretty hard for me to make time for the gym, so even if I only end up going once a week, for that price it's not like I'm just throwing money away. Ok that's it from me for now, will update again with more info and some photos after I've done a class or two!

the gym looks great when I had a look around it but just…read moreworried about not enough parking spaces

Absolutely recommend! The outdoor pool is great and the sauna is amazing! Tennis coaches are quite…read morethe help! Kid clubs, one thing I did notice is all the cleaners are black

Really put me through my paces in a private class. Knows her stuff and how to get the best from you.read more

From the owner: Elite Specialist Personal Training sxefitinsix Dance classes…read moreFitness classes Fitness and wellness studio Poledancing Aerial Hoop Aerial Silks

When a budget gym was scheduled to arrive in Leeds, it bridged a gap for me. It was offering an…read morealternative to paying upwards of £40 a month in other city centre gyms, whilst also eliminating the possibility of failing my personal fitness quest by going running independently. At £9.99 per month, I was impressed at the value of my contract, but reserved judgement on the quality of the gym, as it had not yet opened. The chain is able to offer such a price because it provides a 'no frills' gym, with no pool, sauna or steam room. It is staffed from 8am-8pm, with CCTV monitoring the place 24-hours a day. Six other friends had joined at the same time and we hoped that a pact-like agreement would apply positive peer pressure to our motivation! Plus, anything to prevent me from having to hear Davina McCall's not-so-dulcet tones on her fitness DVD was a welcome addition to my life. During opening week, Friend #1 was our pioneer in testing out the gym. On his much anticipated return, his report was not entirely satisfactory. "It's quite good, but it does have the feel of a correctional facility." Not a great account, but I remained hopeful. Perhaps this merely revealed more about Friend #1's chequered past rather than the quality of Pure Gym. Nevertheless, this intrigued Friend #3, Friend #5 and myself into going later that day. On entering the gym, I saw that the previous description was a pessimistic one. Although the space has a functional appearance, there is an impressive array of exercise machines. As well as the usual suspects of running machines, bikes and rowing machines for cardiovascular training; there are also some great strengthening machines, both individual and multi-station. A circuit training area, a space to use medicine balls and a free weights area complete the layout. Of course, the gym does get extremely busy at peak times, but as a 24-hour gym, you can plan your visits to avoid this. This serves as proof of the great value and variety of machines. A timetable of classes are available which range from Circuits to Spinning, and Kettle Bells to the ominously titled Military Body Blast. They are very accessible to view and reserve places on, as each member has their own account on the Pure Gym website. The classes are priced from £1 to £3 and there are up to 10 places available for each class. The smug sense of superiority when booking a 7:30am class is unbeatable. The reality of shivering down to the gym on a dark Winters' morning with a make-up free face and exchanging morning pleasantries with the milkman, is another matter entirely. Needless to say, I only attempted this once and will perhaps try it again in the Summer months. As well as the classes, there is also a small fee for the use of their sunbeds. It is these extra charges that suggests Pure Gym is to other gyms, what Ryanair is to other airlines. At such a cheap rate however, I see this as no hardship. With fairly spacious showers and changing room facilities, Pure Gym more than fulfils my fitness needs. To summarise, if you are at the gym to actually do some physical exercise on a budget, rather than pose in the steam room and chat to friends, then I would highly recommend Pure Gym.

I've rated it as 'Meh, I've experienced better,' but I'm feeling a bit generous. I used to be a…read moremember of the Marriott gym which was rather nice, but I couldn't afford to keep going. So, happy was I when PureGym appeared. I've now been a member for almost a year. On my first day, I booked an induction. No-one turned up to induct me, and the staff kept walking past, giving me dirty looks. In the end I had to go and find the gym manager, who passed me onto a rather young looking, non-gym-experienced teen. The gym serves it's purpose. there are machines. You can also book classes. I booked a power plate class once. I stood around the power plate at the allocated time for about 20 minutes. The staff just kept walking past, glaring at me. No-one stopped to help, not one of them asked if I was Ok. in the end I gave up and left. You just have to take it as it is. It isn't great, but you're paying at least £30 less than other city centre gyms. Unfortunately, this means that less 'nice' people frequent, and the changing rooms are pretty awful. The machines are also usually littered with well, litter, and aren't that clean. If I could afford to go elsewhere, I really think I would. But I can't. *sigh*.