Top Leisure centres in London, United Kingdom

Kids section in the main pool is limited to 10x5m which is way overcrowded. kids can only go to the deeper pool area age 8+ regardless of adult supervision, how are they supposed to learn swimming? Ridiculously stupid.

Best place to go swimming. Best swimming pool around, a nice atmosphere and the Teachers are really great and caring. Ask about a membership. That way you can sign up to a few different activities.

A frustrating gym! Been a member for a year or so.
The people who take the classes are lovely, but many of the classes get booked up very quickly. Then, if you can't attend the class, but cancel within 3 hours of it starting (e.g. you wake up on the morning unwell), they charge you £3 and lock your account until it's paid. Most classes are always busy so I don't see why they need to do that - maybe one or two hours, but three seems harsh.
Amenities aren't great, especially pool changing/showers. Seems like a high monthly cost for what it is, especially if they charge you extra for cancelling classes 3 hours before.

The membership payments are structured in blocks; 20 days notice is required to cancel the following month's membership, which runs in a four weekly cycle.

This means that to cancel payment a child's swimming lesson the 17th August, I needed to have given notice before the first lesson, by the 1st July, which is insane.

Better didn't send proper account information on sign up, making it difficult to manage your account online. The central phone lines simply hangs up.

This gym may seem superficially good value, but you pay for it in other ways!

Quite a modern establishment, the pool and facilities are clean, there's two wide lanes for each ability level, the only thing that's missing is a sauna but you can't expect much more from a pool unless you're paying a lot for it. The gym equipment variety isn't the best.

The atmosphere in the centre has nose dived with the new management. They don’t listen and are riding roughshod over customers views. The ridiculous decision to have lane swimming at the same time as aqua has caused such uproar and upset it’s ridiculous. Swimmers are unhappy and aqua class are furious. The management style is very confrontational bordering on rude. Such a shame this has happened.

I have been a member at this gym for well over a year now and have to agree with some of the recent reviews around overcrowding and the service not matching the price point.

Over recent weeks it has been extremely difficult to get a full work out in because of how busy it is! I avoid peak times and even then the free weights room is packed. On a recent occasion I attended and there were two exercise classes happening at once, one in the usual studio but then also one on the main gym floor, utilising all of the lower weighted dumbbells that are already in high demand and blocking a lot of equipment.

In my experience some trainers in the gym will often use 2/3 pieces of equipment at a time with their clients which doesn’t help.

The main reception staff have always been friendly and helpful. However for the price of the membership you should be able to consistently have space and access to the equipment. I suspect it’s an oversubscription issue as this isn’t just a problem during the evening and weekends.

Ah! What can I say! Forrest Hill Pools, is definitely my A1 in the Better Gym branches. A breathe of fresh air! Not only are the staff lovely, but the gym itself is alway spotless! Cleaners regularly cleaning and keeping the place hygienic, customers respecting the facilities by also keeping it clean and putting equipment away. Classes are always great! Darren is a fantastic trainer, always attentive of everyone in the group and always encourages you. Caroline who is on reception always has a wonderful smile on her face when you enter and greets you warmly, just a great start to your day especially if you’re like me who will wake up at 5am get washed and dressed and drive 30-40 mins to get here, you’re drained as it is, then you step in and are welcomed by lovely staff! It’s worth your travels! I haven’t been to this branch in a while, not fault of there own just circumstantial, but I will be returning shortly as they are thus far my favourite!!! Other than going to the gym and classes I haven’t used the pool, so I can’t comment on it, but will soon. They do junior gym which is great too, my son gets to come along with me at times before our home school hours which he enjoys. I also enjoy the virtual spin class. My only wish is that there was parking facilities but unfortunately there isn’t any but one disabled parking bay. Other than this there is nothing I can say against this Better branch. Well done to all the staff in this branch for keeping up good standards that is expect from your customers. Thank you because it makes the experience a good one.

Decent gym, clean, well equipped and great staff.

It gets very very busy especially at the functional area at peak times. I feel like for the price I’d expect more free space at a high end -ish gym.

Pleasent enthusiastic staff. Very clean interior. They are always cleaning, mopping the wet area and Showers, in the pool changing area. Great place clean pool, and not too busy Gym. Classes are very good although over subscribed! subsequently that's why they have a waiting list for some classes. Overall we are blessed to have a fitness centre so nearby. Would recommend. Swim Coaches are very in touch with each individuals swimming level. Swim Coaches set realistic progression stages for all levels of swimmers. Would recommend getting Membership for this place.

I was a member but I had to cancel because I moved. However, I still commute for my training sessions with Bernard. Thanks to him, I believe that sky is the limit when it comes to growth and more precisely physical strength. It is hard to explain Ben’s coaching style in words, but hopefully this one may illustrate a part of his work: he detects the imperfections in the movement pattern (squat for instance) which are likely to be responsible for a pain or a plateau, he makes sure that the body makes the correct adjustments and then growth becomes the norm ! Thanks Ben 🙏

I advise you to steer clear of Fitness First, which engages in some shady business practices and whose customer service team is only available via email and then takes days to respond to queries or complaints. In my instance, the company breached their contractual agreement by levying a charge a day earlier than my contract stipulated. They did not deny this, but were unwilling to resolve it. Take your business elsewhere, or risk similar treatment.

Ive had to remove my original glowing review because the last few months things have really changed.

Since the closure of two gyms, highbury has become over run. Its literlly full from morning to night and its started to affect the gym.

One of the biggest REGULAR annoyances is the lack of hot water first thing in the morning.
Nothing worse than stripping down after a crowded work out only to have to get dressed again because of the ice cold water.

The toilets are also lacking in cleanliness. I understand its busy so staff may not have the time they used to have, but the messes i see in those toilets its unacceptable.

I used to be happy to pay the £85 a months for a peaceful work out but if things continue this way,im not sure how you are going to justify these pricew for much longer.

I was hoping for the price point and facilities available to have a better experience on my trial day here. The facilities seem good and there is everything you need despite being very overcrowded and a little run down in some areas. However the clientele in the gym really let the place down and have put me off getting a full membership. The pool area, sauna and steam room were chaos to put it lightly. The men in the gym are extremely rowdy and disrespectful of the fact that it’s a space for everyone to use, it almost felt like a kids club but with grown men. They were in and out of the sauna and steam room non stop, talking extremely loudly, shouting at times, taking phone calls and just generally treating the place like their own social club. It’s really disappointing that the culture within the gym hasn’t been set up to be a place where people can come and work out and enjoy the facilities in peace. Not worth the membership price I’d sooner go back to a budget gym where people respect the space and the people around them. Unfortunately some of the staff only seemed to egg the behaviour on and multiple people left the area visibly frustrated while I was there too.

It has the bones of a good gym but equipment is out of order and selections are limited. For example, there is only one flat bench for an entire gym, and the leg extension machine was broken for many weeks on end. The pool is lovely and recently refurbished, but it hardly makes up for the inability to get on specific pieces of equipment. For £70 a month I would expect better.

The overall ambiance at Fitness First is commendable, and the access to both the sauna and steam room facilities enhances the experience. However, it’s crucial to address a recurring issue with a male member over 40 who continues to use exfoliating gloves inappropriately, specifically in the sauna and steam room areas. I’ve heard other members expressing similar concerns, indicating that this problem is affecting multiple individuals. Despite previous complaints, the issue persists, creating discomfort for members and impacting the quality of the facility. I hope the management takes proactive measures to promptly resolve this matter, ensuring a pleasant and sanitary environment for all members in the sauna and steam room areas.

Very hit and miss whether you can swim if you are a faster swimmer, I’ve often not been able to swim because it’s so crowded and no lane control. If you swim faster than 2.00/100m its going to be a challenge to swim at all, so don’t rely on this pool if you’re training for something. if you’re fast you may not be able to use it in summer. Sometimes it would be ok totally unpredictable but in summer you can’t as it’s too busy and the lanes are at one pace. For casual swimmers it’s fine.

Terribly run, sometimes they just close half the pool but still apparently have the same number using it! The booking and queuing in summer is a pain but it’s better this year than it was before so must’ve improved the system.

Very unclean and changing rooms filthy and unusable. Women’s toilets have never worked in at least the last 5 years. I think there is one toilet the others out of order for at least 5 years.

If I didn’t live two mins away I would never come here as I can’t go in the changing rooms because they make me gag they are so filthy. I just walk home which is fine, but if you can’t do that you’d need to consider how you can wash and change afterwards. I certainly wouldn’t reccommend it to anyone not local. In fairness I don’t think I would reccommend if at all really. For lounging on the side with occasional dip it’s fine but not great for actual swimming.

Winters probably fine, I only go apr/may to sept. You still won’t be able to toilet wash or shower though.

Ok for the money, with lots of benches and dumbells, but since the neighbouring club closed it gets very busy after work.

The boom box used for classes on the gym floor is way too loud for such a small space and means it's impossible to work out in peace, even if you have your own music and headphones, as you can still hear it.

The vibe in the gym is great and location is ideal. I appreciate the help Victor always offers ensuring I am doing the exercises with good form and all the insights he shares on training. He’s one of the most knowledgeable PTs I have met.

Pro:
-Cool swimming pool, perfect location.

Cons:
- The website is absolutely useless as it’s not working properly so never managed to book online in advance. Basically you have to turn up and hoping that the swimming pool is not too full. For instance, they didn’t let my friend in.

-Some members of the staff are rude. Which it’s a shame as some other members are very helpful .

Awesome team and great location. Very tight space. Would like to see some changes to machines such as the pull down rowing ones never seen them in use but take so much space.

This rating is a reflection of the disaster that is Fusion (the management company at Brockwell Lido).

To swim at Brockwell Lido you have to first register for a Fusion account - this means going on their buggy website, receiving confirmation email, receiving confirmation text, address, date of birth, mobile number, meanwhile the website will probably crash so you have to reset your password via email, then also download the app, then re-register again.. then maybe get lucky and manage to book a slot in advance, but good luck as they seem to get booked up quickly. It's a good idea having the booking system but Fusion's implementation of the system is frankly appalling.

The freshwater lido itself is a brilliant place to swim, with lanes and family areas. Sadly the changing rooms were filthy when I visited. Stank of urine, dirty toilet roll everywhere. Again, it seems like Fusion are really letting the maintenance and management of this amazing place down. The lockers took a £1 coin. I can't remember the last time I even saw a £1 coin.

Total cost: £8 for a 50 minute swim, though I ended up staying for 2 hours as nobody can tell what time you entered. Hopefully this historic lido moves to better management in the future.

Located snugly within Liverpool Station, the gym is ideal for anyone wanting a quick workout before heading back home after work or uni.

The gym is well maintained and equipped with all the quintessential equipments in addition to shower rooms and sauna. The staff are very friendly and lead regular training sessions which can be booked in advance from the App.

Overall a very good experience.

A real haven within the city. From a killer workout to a peaceful sauna this small gym can offer everything you need for a great time. A friendly and highly knowledgeable team help you stay motivated and keep you coming back (even after you’ve left London)!

A living local legend, a lovely chilled and honest lido. No fancy gimmicks etc, there is a gym and other services on site too.

Very much worth trying the pizza or grilled sandwiches.

i want to find a place where time feels long
where my shadow glides along the bottom of the lido floor long and gallant
grand piano
one snooker move
blue chalk
I feel like a beautiful fish when i swim here, delightfully cold skimming along the bottom of the pool the tiles my ocean floor

I would highly caution anyone to avoid using the gym. Several pieces of equipment are downright dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. There is mould in the water fountains and judging by the dust, most of the equipment has not been cleaned in a very long time. Avoid for your health.

Fantastic gym. This is a rare find. It packs a lot of machines and equipment, has fantastic classes which I am now hooked on and super trainers: Amber, Tariq, Victor, Arun, Rosemary, Joe,the list goes on. They will work you hard and motivate you. Everyone learns your name on day one and you feel like you are among friends and family. Come at lunch time - super classes though I hear mornings are pretty good too!

The gym might not have any fancy studios and be on the smaller side in comparison to many other City gyms but thanks to its size it has a more personal feel. All the classes take place on the main gym floor making use of the equipment and are less choreographed and much more dynamic that the standard gym classes. But it is the staff that make it what it is, Ben, Arun, Taariq and Rose are all phenomenal at what they do. They push you to your limits and beyond whilst making your workout fun. Each one of them is different in their approach but their enthusiasm, professionalism and sense of humour will keep you coming back for more.

Beautiful any day, but especially in the summer sun! The lido itself is well maintained and beautiful, as is the sunbathing area. I would give the lido 5* except the women's changing room (poolside one) is always out of order these days, and now the showers in the gym changing room (which we are having to use instead) are 60% out of order so you have to queue while 4 of the 6 stand empty.

Very impressed so far! Became a member only very recently (May 2023), but so impressed by the enthusiasm, positive welcoming attitude, helpfulness, and friendliness of the five staff members I met (four on day one, when I was considering joining and was given an unhurried tour, and a fifth one today). All, without exception, conveyed a priority to provide the best possible customer experience.

Gym has the complete standard equipment you'd expect, and although there isn't any spare floor space I didn't feel I was in a cramped environment when working out.

Standard and cleanliness of the showers, toilets, changing area, and sauna is all very good. (Comment relates only to my assessment of male areas, of course!).

Nice to see dumbbells replaced after use, and not left strewn across the floor (unlike a large and expensive previous gym, where I was a member).

Great location of this gym - actually inside the Liverpool Street Station building!

Have been a member for a couple of years and I'm sad to be having to stop my membership as this now is plain exploitation from Fusion of this space and our love for it.
We have no hot water for a week now at the gym which is essential as well as having only two working showers for women in the whole gym for months now, a broken steamroom and hydro pool for a year and a half as well as a broken outside sauna for even longer. On top of that the pool is dirty and some of the running, cycling, the rowing machine and more are not working. Is been a joke and Fusion is taking advantage of the fact that people appreciated this local amenity. They are thieves really, false advertising all these amenities and basic facilities that don't work and don't exist.