Gym Review: LA Fitness

Gym Name: LA Fitness

Free weights: 4/5

CV: 4/5

Resistance Machines: 3/5

Extras:2/5

Atmosphere: 2/5

Price: 2/5

Overall: 17/30

Description: In particular this is a review of the LA Fitness in Leeds city centre. True gym goers like a gym that's basic. The colder, the darker and the more archaic the better. LA Fitness is no such gym, it's one of those 'health spas'. That means TVs infront of the treadmills, saunas, classes and receptionists who grin at you allot. LA fitness however is the down-market version of one of these offering slightly less for slightly cheaper than competition such as Esporta.
If you're going just to keep healthy then you'll be more than satisfied with the number of CV machines available and all with the plug in headphones and TVs. That said however they are of noticeably lower quality than several other places - for example the room for running on the treadmills is limitted making it harder not to slowly move off the end (we've all done it) and they lack many of the options available on their fancier counterparts.
The resistance machines are very basic. At the time of writing the Leeds chain lacks a pec deck and only has one of most stations. This also means they are usually overcrowded meaning you'll probably be forced to skip stations you wanted to use or will have to let your pump die down. That's a problem with the gym in general actually - it is allways packed and far too small to accomodate the numbers.
That's actually a big problem with the gym in general and it's getting to the point where it's detrimental to a good workout as you can't get on any bloody thing. Still though they are fiercely trying bring in fresh blood with all sorts of ridiculous offers. It makes you sick (do it on the floor out of spite).
For a 'health spa' the free weights are actually suprisingly impressive. The Leeds chain has not one but three benches for bench press (two of which can be reclined or inclined) a smith machine, a squat rack and most impressive of all - kettlebells. Many of the trainers are big guys themselves and enjoy trying out new things and cheering along the other big guys like a small sub-community within the gym. Obviously it's not quite to the standard of my little whole back in Guildford but it would certainly make do for most iron warriors. There's an experimental feel to the room which is great for the man who likes to try something new. Again though, even this area is often too overcrowded and you'll often have to taylor your workouts to what's available (the smith machine and the recline bench press).
Where the 'health spa' element allegedly comes in is with regards to the classes, swimming pool and steam room, all of which are sorely lacking. Particularly feeble is the swimming pool which is incredibly shallow and so small that it can only fit three lanes in. There's no way you can swim unless you're in one of the lanes so don't expect to paddle about or do your own thing and you'll be bumping into other swimmers all the time. The jackuzi too is so small that it feels crowded and right by the pool you can't help feel a bit like a goldfish which isn't conducive to relaxation. I was looking forward to chilling here after work but sadly that's just not possible.
The classes are equally dissapointing and are all geared towards 'toning' or 'shaping up'. When I first looked around there were Capoeira and Tai Chi classes both of which I was eager to start again and thought would be good ways to meet people (I have no friends). Literally as soon as I started though they were cancelled and what's pretty bad is that there were no other martial arts classes at all. At a gym that's pretty much expected. Those that are on offer are also often over-subscribed meaning you'll have to book ages in advance to be in with a shot of making the list.
The price too is fairly steep. As a student I pay £35 a month for access all time and to everything. That's good compared to Esporta but awful compared to a student gym or my good old Stokewood road - that said I get more for my money than I do with Stokewood. If I used all of the extras then I'd get my moneys worth, but then again if I was going to use the extras I would have gone to Esporta as they're better there. Basically LA Fitness caters for no-one and everyone - if you're stuck for a gym or are new and not sure what you're after then it will suite your purposes, but if you know what you want you can probably find a lot better for cheaper. There are also hidden costs and they'll do anything to get you to buy their products. Many people have comlained about having difficulty cancelling their membership too which I have yet to experience.
Basically the gym is a bit crowded and not all it claims to be. If it wasn't so expensive you might not mind, but it seems that corporate greed has turned this place sour.
Also as an asside, when signing up to a health spa make sure to barter the price. It's acceptable and expected - they keep changing it themselves anyway. You can stand to get at least £10 off a month or waiver the joining fee so push your luck and see what you get.