Gym in Glasnvein/Drumcondra Area?

Bambaata

Ive been up and down this forum and google but still cant decide. Its time i lost about 3 stone and was able to run a few 100m without coughing up a lung! (aint quite that bad did the 10km port tunnel in under and hr but im still very unfit!) I plan on doing a few Triathlons this year so i need to get into shape for them (did 1 last yr and got the bug!). This isn't a New Yrs resolution, I've been planning this for a few weeks/months (just moved back to Dublin from Meath so was waiting til i moved in). I want to join a gym with a pool. I'm living on Mobhi Rd in Glasnevin so ideally the DCU gym would suit best. Only problem there is it aint cheap (530 + 100 signing fee) and im not sure how it rates seeing as i wont be allowed into the elite section. Is it still worth 530 + 100? Does it get too busy? Other thing is i don't want to join a gym that is toofar away cos that'll just make it harder for me to get off my arse and go. Ive been trying to find a website for Northwood but haven't had any luck as of yet? Is it far down that road from Ballymun?

Thanks to anyone who can give some advice. I ain't looking to be massively built or any of that. Fitness is first, after that it would be nice to bulk up a little or get toned etc. I was a member of Crunch in UCD before and thought it was terrible cos half the machines were always out of order so id like to avoid that!

Also an added bonus would be somewhere with fitness classes like those spin classes etc as part of the membership. If they arent how much extra are they?

justsomebloke

If you are only looking to do cardio DCU is fine, there generally isn't any Q's for any of the machines or if there is, it is generally less then 2 minute wait. However their weights area is a joke, so if you joined I wouldn't be too worried about bulking as it probably wouldn't happen, as they have no free bars and DBs only go up to 25Kg.
Also the pool can be quite busy at times as they quite often have lanes closed off for lessons. On the other hand they do have spin classes and are included in the membership.

Northwood on the other hand has a hell of a lot more cardio machines, so you can always get one, however this may change in time if they start to get a lot more members, but that shouldn't effected you for quite a while. The weights area's is quite good and the pool is generally never that busy.
The main problem for you though will be that they have no proper exercise bikes they only have the bikes where your legs are strecthed out infront of you as oppose to a normal riding position. there is also no spinning classes.

Bambaata

thanks jsb, yeah ill just have to decide how important those spinning classes wud be to me. They both offer things i like, the idea of lessons at DCU daunts me as i hate when pools are full. I might just pay a visit to both and decide on that. Do either of these generally allow a quick look or any kind of insight?

justsomebloke

Northwood will give you the whole guided tour but will give you all the sales pitches aswell. When I joined DCU they pretty much just show you to the door and you can show yourself around no pressure.

If you are thinking of doing a triathlon get yourself an ordinary bike and use this and outdoor running as much as possible, as oppose to just using the gym, as it will stand better to you in the long run.

Bambaata

I have a Genisis Ridgeback Day 02 bike as it is and cycle in and out of work everyday (that was all my training for the Triathlon lol, have a slight tear on a ligament on my right knee too, and had it at the time so i couldnt train, knee was unbearable until 2 weeks before it but that'll be sorted soon - MRI done and all that just waiting on surgery date) I detest running. I might give that a go for a while but a pool really attracts me. I really like swimming and find that my best route to better fitness. I suppose i might give the running/cycling a try for a while.

If only gyms did memebership based on usage! eg a less than 50 visits gym, less than 100 and more than 100, i think they'd dop better!

telecaster_dub

bambaata hey im in finglas myself and need to lose 5 or 6 stone and am going the gym myself but my problem is i need somebody to train with

i seem to push myself harder when i go withsomebody

if u looking for a training partner gis a pm

and not incase any saddos reply to say i must be gay etc

no im 100 % straight just all my mates are lazy and dont wanna get of there backsides and thats sort of how im like i am

gym in finglas has a pool and weight and cardio area not the biggest but its €350 a year