Jackie Skelly or Loughlinstown?

Nephew

I got pissed off with my old gym, what with it being oversold and underequipped with a proper weights section so I let my membership slowly expire. Fast forward five months and I've lost any progress I made. My goal is muscle building.

I've narrowed it down to either Jackie Skellys in Greystones or Loughlinstown gym, as both are relatively near to me. Jackie Skellys wouldn't give me a price over the phone, some bull about they require an assessment before they can tell what a year will cost. Loughlinstown is a reasonable e400 for the year.

I'd appreciate any opinions on both gyms, especially on equipment and what they're like at peak hours and about 8am on weekends.

Thanks

davyjose

Nephew wrote:

Jackie Skellys wouldn't give me a price over the phone, some bull about they require an assessment before they can tell what a year will cost. Loughlinstown is a reasonable e400 for the year.

That is absolute Bulls**t. What are they going to do, charge you per lb of fat? To be honest, maybe it's just me, but that would turn me right off. Most gyms are decent enough these days, but you will find the cheaper a Gym is, the more crowded it gets, so you'll really be judging Loughlinstown on its size and how much equipment it has, as much as anything else. But remember, when it comes down to it, you don't need a lot of fancy weight machines to put on muscles. A bench, a squat rack, lots of weigt and a few other bits n pieces will cover 95% of what you need.
Still can't get over Jackie Skelly charging after the assessment.

Cravez

Loughlinstown by a mile! don't even touch Jackie Skellies, iv been to both and if Building Muscle is your goal then go to Loughlinstown. It has a free bench, an incline free bench, squat rack, tons of dumbells (heavy ones as well), Vertical Rowing Bench, Preacher bench, dip & pull up station and a good cable machine. It has other machine weights also IF you want to use them and also has a good few cardio machines. But from training experience Loughlinstown is the better of the two.

Jackie Skellies is just full of machine weights and smith machines and tons of cardio machines with barely any free weights, the water fountain in the gym gives you warm and possibly unhealthy water! its full of inexpereinced lifters,teenagers, mothers etc. Jackie Skellies is more of a leisure complex than a real gym, place to lose a few pounds, not to gain serious muscle pounds

In terms of peak hours, both gyms will more than likely have lots of people in them.
Loughlinstown on peak hours isnt extremely packed and you could get whatever training you wanted in but id say you will be waiting on some of the equipment however. At 8am in the morning
id say both gyms will quiet, maybe a few people trying to get their training over and done with in the morning but nothing that will hamper training progress that day.

Hope that helps

j@utis

Michael Cravez wrote:

Jackie Skellies is just full of machine weights and smith machines and tons of cardio machines with barely any free weights, the water fountain in the gym gives you warm and possibly unhealthy water! its full of inexpereinced lifters,teenagers, mothers etc. Jackie Skellies is more of a leisure complex than a real gym, place to lose a few pounds, not to gain serious muscle pounds...

I agree 100% here. I'm a member of Jackie Skellies in Greystones and I'm slightly disapointed with them for the reasons given above. They don't wanna give price hoping that you will go 'Wooow' when you see the place, but if you know what you're looking for, you probably will go 'phooooey'. They would charge you at least 49euro for membership (think they have this offer now) and your monthly fee would be 60eur+something.

turbot

I don't know about the Greystones Jacke Skelly's, however, I just joined Jackie Skelly's in Ballsbridge.

Before I knew better, I was put off from Jackie Skellys, by the name (which brought up connatations like a manufactured pop band in my mind... )

However, now I'm a member in Ballsbridge, and for what I'm looking for, I love it. I can only comment on the Ballsbridge gym, which I'd reccomend highly!

Reasons:
- They have the best range of Cardio Machines I've used in any gym in Ireland
(relative to Westwood in Sandymount, Trinity a few years ago, the Fitness Dock 2 years ago).

- They have smart inclusions, for example, I get a fresh towel every time I train, and I have paid to have my own locker there where I can leave my stuff

- The music is pretty good

- The staff are friendly

- The Sauna, Jacuzzi, Steamroom, and pool area are decent and pleasant

- It's really clean and nice all the time

- There is a good free weights section, as well as high quality weights machines, and stretching machines. This is certainly sufficient for anyone except a hardcore builder looking for a specific atmosphere.

- They have just got a bunch of punch bags, that we can use whenever we want, unless there is s class in the Aerobics studio.

- They have LCD TVs playing different channels visible from the cardio machines

So, overall, it seems really well thought out, with good quality kit, and a pleasant atmosphere.

I totally accept that this is not a hardcore body builders gym. It is however, a pleasant place to get fit and get into shape.

Cravez

I agree with Turbot that not every Jacky Skelly's gym is the same. Im sure some of their gym's are quite decent with a good balance of free weights, machines and cardio. Sure my current gym is nothing special and doesnt have every single free weight in the world but i get by ok in it. However the Jacky Skelly's in Greystones/Charlesland is one really bad gym i have to say, all the reasons i have above is what the gym is like. My training session i did there was poor and the water is terrible ( done purposely so you can by their 2.50 euro small bottles of water). I wouldnt waste any money there unless its the ONLY gym you can get too or if you want to lose some weight and get fit.

Guvnor

I agree with MC avoid Skelly's like the plague they are not great gyms.
The people at JS will hire a debt collection agency if you DD fails to go through for 3-4 months, they actively enforce your 12 month contract. My advice go anywhere else and pay upfront if you can.

loodles

I have heard awful things about Jackie Skelly Greystones, three friends have cancelled their membership.
As for Loughlinstown, they have a decent weights area and its never too packed. I went there for years and loved it.

copacetic

exactly where is jackie skellys in ballsbridge? am moving jobs out near donnybrook, is it at that end?
anyone any opinion on other gyms in D4 area?

maxxxsensation

Jackie Skelly actually have some good opening offers, but never join when the gym is actually opened. You will pay a joining fee of €39 and monthly membership is between €68 and €83 per month. These are whopping prices for what amounts to pathetic service and nil customer care. Also, you cannot cancel your contract, except if you die, and they require 2 months' notice after the 12 months are up. A brilliant gym for those of you living in the North of the city is Roganstown Golf and Country Club, near Swords. I am a member there and I love it. It is never busy, the staff are really friendly, it's clean and they have a computer system which almost does the workout for you. Probably shouldn't advertise them but the number is 8432391 if you want to have a look.

Guvnor

maxxxsensation wrote:

Jackie Skelly actually have some good opening offers, but never join when the gym is actually opened. You will pay a joining fee of €39 and monthly membership is between €68 and €83 per month. These are whopping prices for what amounts to pathetic service and nil customer care. Also, you cannot cancel your contract, except if you die, and they require 2 months' notice after the 12 months are up. A brilliant gym for those of you living in the North of the city is Roganstown Golf and Country Club, near Swords. I am a member there and I love it. It is never busy, the staff are really friendly, it's clean and they have a computer system which almost does the workout for you. Probably shouldn't advertise them but the number is 01-8432391 if you want to have a look.

If it saves people from joining JS's then the number above is well worth while!:D

moonshiner

Make sure you read the small print in the Jackie Skelly contract before signing don't be rushed or fooled. I have had bad experiences with smelly Skelly's in swords ... many people warned me off it but it was my nearest gym and had a pool so i foolishly ignored their advice ...they can Increase your Direct Debit without telling you and if you want to leave you have to apply for a form, which they probably wont be able to find when you want it(it wont say this on your contract).. also they ask 2 months notice or else pay for two months if you are unable to give notice and thats once you completed your 12 month contract ... worse than landlords these guys are like financial sharks... they take responsibility for nothing and expect you to pay through the nose. I am sure you could find cleaner, cheaper and better:rolleyes:

DAVE_K

Loughlinstown is a great gym. When I lived in Dublin this is where I went.......if i ever moved back to Dublin again this is where I'd go.

prettygurrly

just joined integral fitness in drogheda. great gym. it's really new and has great offers on. i'm a student and paid 299 for the year.

back to topic...isn't there a public gym/pool in greystones? is it any good? gonna buy my mum some entries to the pool to try to gently encourage her to do some exercise. she has arthritis in her knee so a bit of swimming would make all difference to her weight but also stop her being in pain while exercising. has anyone been there during public swims? do they have lanes for slow breaststrokers, like her? the over 55 aqua aerobics looks like a bit of fun too...

sportinglegend

Yes there is a Shoreline - http://www.shorelineleisure.ie/shorelinegreystones.0.html