Irish Gyms - Reviewed

Jak

Prompted by a recent good thread on reviews and a very early morning in work, I have decided to consolidate the reviews from other threads into one hopefully more accessible thread. I will also lock the the thread and if any other reviews are posted as regular threads these can then be incorporated.

These are essentially unedited individual reviews and opinions. They may represent someone with different attitudes and views on training so bear that in mind. Some posts had to be split as they are too long - e.g. Dublin South Gyms 1 + 2

JAK.

Jak

Southside Dublin:

Westwood Leopardstown:

Trained here for about a year and a half. Cost worked out to about €70 pm which was fairly steep, although facilities were quite good, especially if you played tennis or swam. They recently purchased a large amount of high quality new treadmills and cross-trainers, although the bicycles were not upgraded (most are poked) and neither was the weights section. The dumbbells are in bad shape with loose plates and there aren't nearly enough benches especially when more than 5 or so people are training with free weights. This was partly the reason I decided to leave. There are 2 smith machines and two squat racks, a single preacher bench (slightly warped) and no decline benches whatsoever. There are also no ab benches of any kind (apart from the weighted ab machines), they seem to emphasise the use of the swiss ball more than anything else at Westwood. Machines are ok, with a few Cybex ones being the best of the bunch. There's no assisted pull-up machine.

Staff are quite good on the whole and the gym has floor staff constantly monitoring the place. This is good from a safety perspective or handy if you need a spot. Music is dreadful with the same stuff being played over and over - this would be alright if it was decent stuff, but when you have gems like the fast food song and that awful German techno crap like Scooter all the time, you tend to bring your own music like all the other members.

Parking can be a pain in the hole at Westwood, lots of lazy morons will park you in if the place is busy to save having to walk an extra 20m from the adjacent (empty) carpark. I've had to get people to move their cars 3 times as my last car had a 747 style turning circle and I didn't have enough room to reverse out of my spot thanks to these plonkers.

Total Fitness Sandyford

So, down to €55 per month, loads of room to train even during peak periods and better, newer equipment. An indoor running track is handy if you can't stand treadmills and don't want to battle the elements running outside during winter. Hammer Strength machines have fantastic action and great ergonomics, there are loads of pre-loaded straight and ez-bars and lots of benches. Dumbbells go heavy and are in good condition. More mirrors to check form would help but its not a huge problem. There's a proper super circuit, though nobody actually uses it. Its never a hassle to find a cardio machine, unless its a stair climber you need as there are only four.

Downsides? Well the staff are offish and downright sour at times. They don't greet as you enter (or even acknowledge you) and can't be bothered assisting people on the floor. I've seen staff walk straight past people quit obviously using really bad form and about to injure themselves. A friend of mine, new to gymming, asked one of the staff to show him how to use the lat pulldown and was told to 'Get a personal trainer!' before the twit walked off. Music is alright-ish, with a few flavour of the moment pop compilations and fm104 doing the duty. Again, best to bring your own.

One thing I hate is the carpet in the male changing rooms. There is almost always a strong pong from the wet stinky floor and the toilets should be better maintained (they're hosed down from time to time from what I've seen). The sauna in the gents is almost always out of order.

If you're a fan of cable exercises you'll have to queue behind scores of muscleheads (and wannabees) as they're always busy. You also queue for a drink of water as the fountains are almost always being used by people filling up bottles (this takes somewhere between 40 minutes and an hour).

Dundrum Gym

there are 6 different areas
the cardio area : there are lots of treadmills, steppers, striders rowing machines and where they hold the spinning classes. there are tvs you can watch(walkman needed to tune into the radio for sound)
the ab zone : lots of different machines specifically for concentrating on your abs.
the studio : where they do aerobics classes etc.
the ladies gym : just for the ladies treadmills, bikes, steppers weight machines and free weights.
main gym : weight machines and free weights, some treadmills too i think i haven't been in there really, i stick to the cardio area and the ladies gym
sprint section : the idea is if you're short on time, you do the maximum possible full body workout in about half an hour or something, again something im not familiar with.
nice extra stuff
creche, handy for those with kids
the locker room(well the ladies i can speak for the mens one) is always exceptionally clean, with sauna
massage therapy, you can get yourself a nice massage to treat yourself after your workout
staff ive been in contact with are dead nice
its a small enough gym, but i find it very nice altho it is quite pricey to join
and im just after having a look at that mardyke place, jesus thats nice, very big and spacious, not like my little gym!

UCD Gym

As for gyms, well I've been in UCD gym since it opened about 7/8 years ago. As a post doc I still get student rates, which makes it just about the cheapest gym membership I can find (150 or thereabouts maybe it went up). However even for regular non students it is fairly well priced, my girlfriend recently joined and her fee for full access was 299 euros. Which isn't too bad compared to more commercial (non student linked) gyms.

As drowner said there are saunas in the changing rooms.

It does have a lot of cardio gear, and nice decent stuff it is. There are screens and you can bring headphones for most cardio machines. In general there can be quite a good buzz in the gym given the high turnover of young students and activities in the two halls below.

The weights machines cover mostly all you need. Though there is a lack of some cable machines.

The general gym area is quite open and airy which is nice.

The free weights section is away from the main gym. Recently they purchased new benches and so on, and a lot of new rubber Casall and easy grip olympic plates - which was nice It can get busy, but I never have too many problems getting through training at a decent speed. If I'm alone I'll work in with people if I have to, and in a group we can usually hold everything we need as we work.

It would be nice if there were a decline bench, a powercage and so on, however the basics are fairly well covered in terms of free weights. The music can be awful however as it is geared towards folk doing cardio, and there are very few serious lifters around which takes a little from the free weight room atmosphere.

Oh and a more serious issue is that the dumbbells only go up to 90lbs. If they just bought a pair of 100lbs,110lbs and 120lbs (or go the whole hog and get 5lb incremements) I think it would have pretty much all we need.

Staff are pleasant enough, though their turnover is quite high and as always with gym staff don't trust all the advice you get from them. They are fine for basic advice but only one in 8 years knew anything about serious weight training.

Loughlinstown Gym

This is my gym and it is the best, without question, that I have ever lifted in. It isn't a sissy gym with a load of pointless extras. It's a place you go to lift, run, cycle of whatever and the atmosphere, therefore, is one of hard work and dedication. I'm one of two world champion powerlifters in the gym and there are four of us with national titles in total. This is no coincidence - the gym creates good lifters - it has what you need. A good bench, incline squat rack etc etc and enough machines for any lifter.

I think a gym should be based on its atmosphere and clientelle as much as its equipment and with a new line of cardio equipment in (I don't really use it!) the gym is only getting better. It doesn't have a swimming pool or anything like that for a good reason - the focus is on the gym not extras so the membership is less than 500 for a year. Only drawback, the dumbbells only go up to 115lbs

Riverside Fitness

It's a small facility but has all the basic machines, free weights, treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes, etc...

The spinning classes are really good but the other classes leave a lot to be desired.

The staff is really friendly though and there doesn't seem to be a lot of the body-beautiful types that plague some other gyms.

It's €49 per month and I didn't have to pay initiation fee.

Buzz Fit in Rathgar

It is fairly well equipped. the equipment is old and comparable to Loughlinstown...same sort of atmosphere as there. You see some very big guys training in Loughlinstown, in Rathgar you don't get that. Membership is affordable, or you can pay and train for €6 a session (what I'm doing at the moment). Classes are included in the membership price, mainly aerobics and circuit training, but they started a beginners course in Karate (don;t recall which school, not Shotokan) recently.
They have separate rooms for CV, weight training, and for stretching and toning. The only thing that irritates me about the place is that they play awful repetitive pop music stations.

edit: just noticed there are no very heavy weights in the gym. Bench press machine only goes up to 90kg. There are free weights, but I don't think they go all that much heavier.

Jak

Northside Dublin

Iveagh Fitness

I was a member for a few years

Good selection of bikes, rowers, stair-climbers and other cardio stuff.

2 Smith machines
Dumbells up to 45kg
Plenty of weight machines (All Cybex)
4 benches

pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steamroom.

Generally it was pretty good.

Have a few complaints thought. It was often overcrowded, and a lot of the equipment was placed uncomfortably close together due to a general lack of floor space.


Jackie Skelly Swords

Opened a few months ago. Loads of space. Good selection of weight machines (All cybex) and cardio equipment. Staff are very friendly.

2 Smith machines
Dumbells up to 40 kg
8ish benches

Nice big pool and jacuzzi. Mens and Ladies sauna and steam room. Worth a look if you live in the area.

My only complaint is the lack of squat rack + proper bench press. Squats, deadlift and bench press must be done on a smith machine. (for insurance reasons apparently?)

Citywest Gym Tallaght

Citywest Gym is in the Tallaght area. There is a nice pool/spa area. The floor has sufficient equipment to make sure everybody gets a go. The weights area is kinda disappointing, and they don't seem to encourage female participation.
The instructors leave a lot to be desired, I wouldn't trust any of em..
I have seen them handing out some appaling advice to members.

Westwood Fairview

Review 1

I've been a member here for about a year & I'm quite happy with it. One of the best features is the location right by the dart station.

Contract/fees: 70yoyos/month, 100yoyo one-off joining fee (reduced from 200 due to corp discount). If I wanted to leave before my 1st year was up I think I'd have to pay out the rest of the contract. Anytime after 12 months you can leave without getting hit.

There's an off-peak contract available too...

Facilities:

Gym -
Lots available. I personally use the treadmills and rowers mainly, along with some of the machines and free weights (I'll let logic give his opinion of the free weights section). They have about 30 treadmills, the same in stationary bikes (normal ones), another 30 spinning bikes and loads of other things like non-impact walkers. There's easily 150 machines there (not incl the resistance machines). Usually can find whatever you're looking for free, unless it's 8pm on Monday night, when you'll have to wait a minute or 2 for something to become free.

They run quite a lot of different classes in the studios, some of which are very good.

Pool - 50m, pretty good, not something I use much. Usually about 3 slow lanes and 3 fast lanes, but sometimes less if lessons on.

Refresh area - they have a large sauna (seats 10 comfortably), jacuzzi, steam room and relaxation room (cant remember proper name). There are showers down here too which is a good thing cos the plunge pool is pretty crap - warm and not clean half the time - the only thing which detracts from an otherwise great area.

Review 2

Yeah all round it's a pretty good gym. The dumbells go from 2.5kilos to 35kilos.

Ideally I'd rather if they went alot higher but they're useable for most people. Some 40's and 50's wouldn't go astray. Nice squat racks and a smith machine. Highest plate weight is 20 kilos which again is a bit on the low side, I'd prefer them to have a few 50's for certain exercises but again it's just a nit picking point really.

There's around 8 or 10 benches in the free weight section and you'll usually always get one free unless as Al says it's 8pm on a monday/tuesday when you'll have to wait a few minutes for someone tof inish a set.

All in all a good selection and a nice relaxed atmosphere. As withall gyms the personal trainers range from mediocre to rubbish for weight training but they do seem to be good for cardio type classes.

Jak

Cork and Limerick

Mardyke Arena (Cork) [http://www.mardykearena.com]

This is my gym, it's part of UCC but is also open to people who aren't students or staff although their membership fees are higher. All the pricing details are on the website anyway.

1. Pool: Excellent 25m pool. They mark out 3 lanes and each one has a sign designation the speed your supposed to be to swim in it. Slow, Medium and Fast. The other 1/2 of the pool then is open to mess around in.

There are plenty of changing cubicles and I've never had to wait for anything in the pool. Loads of lockers too. Sauna, Steam Room.

Cons: No Jacuzzi, Sometimes there are swimming lessons which take up 1/2 the pool. Which pisses me off because I paid for the whole pool! But all in all a great pool.

2. Gym: Brilliant Gym. Best in Cork by a Mile. It's got about 15 Treadmills, 7 Bikes, 7 Steppers, 4 Rowing Machines and loads of weights machines. There is also an area for stretching and situps etc. They also have the Fitlinxx system for tracking your progress on a computer system. At peak hours the second gym is open and this increases the numbers of machines even further. I've never been there at peak times so I can't comment though.

3. Weights Besides the weights machines there is also a good selection of free weights. Good selection of benches and a squat rack. Can't think of anything that's missing.

4. Other Stuff There are 2 squash courts, 3 indoor courts for basketball/soccer/badminton or whatever. A Climbing wall and a fitness studio for classes like spinning and that.

Silversprings gym Cork

it's a good gym, but as soon as my membership is up i'm gonna join a new gym.
it's starting to feel stale and boring - the same crap cds playing everyday and seeing the same people everyday, and the attitude on some people there is terrible.

not enough fit women either.

it's really expensive aswell, something like 700+ euro for the year.

Fitton Street Gym Cork
Really good weights gym. Not a fitness gym at all. Really crap cardio equipment upstairs. Utterly infuriating dance toons playing. Same cd for about 2 years I'd say.

One staff member in particular has a savage bad attitude and is a lazy ****er.

Many of the regular clientele are really serious about their idiotic training. The guys can lift but if they didn't have the assistance of no job and being able to spend a large portion of the day sitting around in the gym and the best in"natural" growth hormones they'd not get far in their training. Its when they try and give advice on what to do that gets really annoying. "Listen fatty, stop frying your brain and wrecking your heart on horse hormones and let me workout in a scientific manner and in fuc[i/]king peace"

The really good guys just keep to themselves. A lot of the clientele do not respect the gym and never put any weights back at all. The staff couldn't be arsed to enforce a tidy rack area and it becomes a right pain trying to find the matching dumbell.

2 Squat racks, 1 smith machine, 3 or 4 bench press benches. Loads and loads of dumbells going up to 50kg. Very good machines too. Pretty good for weights. The calf machine is not heavy enough though. You can easily manage the whole stack on one leg.

I like the gym still though. Changing area is **** and has no heating so can get really cold in winter. Sauna works when the owner could be arsed to turn it on which is less and less these days.

I love the place though !

Jak

Other Counties

Oasis Gym - Tipperary

Well I am from tipperary town and I go to the Oasis Gym based in the sports complex there.

It is quite a good gym if you consider the size of the town aswell(to be honest the whole complex is excellent)

well the main part of the gym be fitness machines(Only really use the treadmill but I play indoor soccer anyway)

The weights are quite good there. Srry guys Ill list the kind of machines they have the next day. Unfortunate to say the free weights are a bit to lights as the only vary from 2 kg to 30kg which I would rather have go heavier. 40 or 50s be great to excersise with)

Jak

More Southside Dublin

David Lloyd

I've been a member of David Lloyd since December of 2003. I think it's one of the best all-around fitness clubs in Europe... for someone whose goal is massive lifting and gargantuan physical development, this probably isn't the place for you. It's more of a place that has almost everything for the well-rounded athlete. (The Leinster Rugby side trains here regularly, so it can't be all bad.)

I consider its highlights to be a large (25m) indoor pool and a slightly smaller (20m) outdoor pool that's open and heated all year round. The workout area inside is large and comprehensive and there are well-qualified trainers with a wide variety of specialities. They regularly give classes in things like spinning, yoga, pilates, weight training, and other things... the classes that address "specialized knowledge" have a modest charge, while the ones that don't are free.

They also have an enormous cavern of indoor tennis courts.... but if you're into racquet sports I'm sure you don't need to hear this from me. I'm not a tennis expert but I've heard that David Lloyd is a well-established tennis stronghold in Dublin.

The rates are reasonable considering the size and diversity of the facilities... €68 per month is what I am paying now for a weekday, worktime membership (early morning to 17:30 afternoon, Monday through Friday). Currently the corresponding rate for a membership that includes evenings and weekends is €105 per month. I have heard that these rates will be going up in October, so feel free to call the number in the web link above if you have any sales oriented questions. The joining fee is roughly 3x the monthly rate.

For the month of September 2004, I've been given a certificate that gives you €200 off the joining fee. I'd be happy to give it to you freely if you can come to Ballsbridge to pick it up (as a benefit, I also get €200 off my membership). My partner may also have one of these certificates available, so there could be €400 available if you're planning on joining with a partner or friend.

Please respond personally if you'd like more information. This is a great club and I go there five days a week... I'm not a rock-breaking bodybuilder, just someone who loves a great swim in a spacious pool (especially outdoors) and a good, friendly club that seems to have everything for someone who's trying to fit fitness into an otherwise busy Dublin city life.

Hanley

Khannie

Ugh. All your posts are the same. Bye.

RacoonQueen

While it's been brought up though, one should point out that Iveagh Fitness is actually on the Southside.

jfit

Might be worth mentioning Fitnessworx gym in Douglas Cork. Not a "Health Club", more about training than comfort. Good spread of Cardio equip and free weights (2 x racks/Various benches/Kbells/Dbells/heavy bag etc) - good opening hours (I train early am). No swimming pool. Guys who own it do a lot of personal training. No Classes in gym. In same building - Thai Boxing club. Separate Kicking boxing classes/kids dancing/pilates classes on another floor. Gym has a website.