Gym Review: Poole Sports Centre

Gym Name: Poole Sports Centre

Free weights: 1/5

CV: 3/5

Resistance Machines: 2/5

Extras:5/5

Atmosphere: 5/5

Price: 5/5

Overall: 21/30

Description:

This could well be the last article ever written about Poole Sports Centre as the council are proposing to shut it down, but if they do it will be a great shame. The gym instructors seem to know all the members and so there is always someone there to motivate or chat to. The gym isn’t very big or very modern but what it does do is certainly give off a good sense of camaraderie. The CV machines are very basic consisting of only 3 treadmills, 3 bikes and 3 rowing machines but they are all very new. With the gym not busy however (apart from at weekends) you don’t have to wait to get on any of them. The CV machines are situated in the centre of the room with the resistance machines positioned along the walls which leaves a lot of empty space for stretching etc. Resistance wise there is only 1 of each machine you can think of and there is no pec deck and many of the machines seem to break quite often which can be slightly annoying. The machines are also cleaned at least 5 times a day (I know this because I did work experience there!) so everything is always clean and tidy. The main downside is the free weights or lack of them. The only thing they have are dumbells and they are definitely at least 20 years old and quite rusty. This gym however does everything it says on the tin and doesn’t try to be anything its not. It's definitely geared towards the more basic of gym member who just wants to put an hours session in after work.
What makes this place great though is the extras it provides. You can do anything from 5-a-side football to roller hockey. It is also catered for all different ages. Every morning there will be OAP’s taking part in indoor bowls and at lunchtime the blokes on their lunch break who've come down to play squash or football. They also have 4 trampolines for kids at the weekend and host the Dorset indoor volleyball league. As well as the different sports you can hire the courts for parties. The major plus side though are definitely the sports instructors who are all welcoming and good at what they do. You will also go away from this place having met some great people!
Now to the price. Membership is around £50 quid a year but that is it from there. It is only the extras you have to pay for and these are very fairly priced.
Overall it will be a sad day if Poole Sports Centre has to close so make sure you use it while it is still there. Thumbs up!




About the Author: A lovable character Rich Silverton is currently recuperating from a knee operation that should put him back on the rugby pitch. Having taken PE to GCSE level he plans to pursue a carreer playing or coaching the sport.