Total Fitness Vs Westpoint

03mcgs0 · 07-09-2008 2:08pm #1

I’m currently a member of WestPoint, but like anything I fancy a change of scenery! And was thinking of switching over to Total Fitness, Castleknock.

I use the gym 4 times a week for weight training only, not worried about cardio really.

I would like to know……

1) What are the weights like there?
2) How busy does it get in the evenings? As busy as Westpoint?? Cause it can gets mental at 7 or 8pm
3) What’s the crowd that train there like? Good trainers? Know I won’t really be interacting with many but it’s always good to have serious boys training and not kids just messing about!
4) The general differences between the two gyms??

All responses very much welcome.

Thanks

03

Hanley · 07-09-2008 2:23pm

1) More than you'll ever need. There's easily 1000kg of free weight's downstairs in the weight room, probably more tbh. Then half that again upstairs, if not more for the Hammer Strength Machines

2) Monday's suck. I won't train there on Monday evening between 6 and 8. After that, and on other days it's generally ok.

It's great during the day time and on weekends tho. I'll probably end up training there on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from next month onwards so i'm hoping it's not too busy then.

3) There's a lot of big, strong guys there. But there's an awful lot of scum too. I try to just keep to myself for the most part. There's a few sound lads up there. The bodybuilders who actually compete are about the nicest guys up there!!

4) For weight's TF is in a different league to Westpoint in my opinion. I've trained in Westpoint and it's perfectly possible to get a good workout done in there, but I'd definately pick TF over it. In addition TF has Hammer Strength machines, which are just about the best machines in the world. I'm normally not a fan of non-free weights, but the HS gear is just spectacuarly good.

03mcgs0 · 07-09-2008 2:50pm

A well structured reply just I was looking for, thanks for that.

So you would definitely recommend it over Westpoint, on the whole would it be as busy as westpoint?? Because with TF being a more expensive I would have thought it would be a little quieter than Westpoint??

Pen1987 · 07-09-2008 3:01pm

Hanley/James... whats TF like to get to if youre walking from say, The Bell... I dont mean how to get there, but is the entrances actually far from the road in. Im considering joining there but I'm not sure about the walk... I know, sounds mad.

Malteaser! · 07-09-2008 3:12pm

Pen1987 wrote: »

Hanley/James... whats TF like to get to if youre walking from say, The Bell... I dont mean how to get there, but is the entrances actually far from the road in. Im considering joining there but I'm not sure about the walk... I know, sounds mad.

I've gotten the bus a few times and gotten off at the Bell and had to walk around.

They're after moving the entrance in the last two weeks. You'd have to walk back around towards the roundabout and cross the road, there's a set of lights with a pedestrian crossing so it's not too bad and the new entrance is just on your right. It leaves you way cloaser to the door then the old way.

5 minutes if you walk fast, 10 if you're slow.

Malteaser! · 07-09-2008 3:15pm

03mcgs0 wrote: »

I’m currently a member of WestPoint, but like anything I fancy a change of scenery! And was thinking of switching over to Total Fitness, Castleknock.

I use the gym 4 times a week for weight training only, not worried about cardio really.

I would like to know……

1) What are the weights like there?
2) How busy does it get in the evenings? As busy as Westpoint?? Cause it can gets mental at 7 or 8pm
3) What’s the crowd that train there like? Good trainers? Know I won’t really be interacting with many but it’s always good to have serious boys training and not kids just messing about!
4) The general differences between the two gyms??

All responses very much welcome.

Thanks

03

Hanley answered your questions pretty well already.

Another thing you need to take into consideration though is the cost, membership in TF is a good bit more than Westpoint afaik.

Hanley · 07-09-2008 3:20pm

Pen1987 wrote: »

Hanley/James... whats TF like to get to if youre walking from say, The Bell... I dont mean how to get there, but is the entrances actually far from the road in. Im considering joining there but I'm not sure about the walk... I know, sounds mad.

Malteaser! wrote: »

I've gotten the bus a few times and gotten off at the Bell and had to walk around.

They're after moving the entrance in the last two weeks. You'd have to walk back around towards the roundabout and cross the road, there's a set of lights with a pedestrian crossing so it's not too bad and the new entrance is just on your right. It leaves you way cloaser to the door then the old way.

5 minutes if you walk fast, 10 if you're slow.

What she said!!

Another option is ther's a new gym opening up in Ballycoolin. It's being run by two of the powerlifters out of Hercs, by the looks of things it could be very good. From what I've heard downstairs is gonna be more orientated towards heavy lifting with a "normal" gym upstairs!

I'll find out more info if anyone's interested. That being said, if you're looking for a pool etc, TF's probably the better option. I'll be staying put in TF anyway.

03mcgs0 · 07-09-2008 5:15pm

Malteaser! wrote: »

Hanley answered your questions pretty well already.

Another thing you need to take into consideration though is the cost, membership in TF is a good bit more than Westpoint afaik.

Good point there.

The only thing is I’d be happy enough paying that bit more for a relaxed (not jammers!) gym.

What I don’t want is, that if you go in at 7pm you can’t get a bench to save your life, or that there is 3 in a line for an ez curl bar!

Sometimes I dread going into Westpoint in the evenings (6.30-8pm), I generally try not to, but with work and all it can’t be helped. Within saying that I would still always go….

Any other points of views are very much welcome

jt_dublin · 07-09-2008 9:16pm

Hanley,
I train in TF as well and have heard that the gym layout is going to change due to the proposed new roads for the M50 interchange cutting into the car park. The reception will be where the weights room currently is and the free weights will move upstairs to the small poolside room next to the ladies gym. That room is only half the size so I reckon they will have to lose some of the equipment. I cant see them fitting 2 squat racks, 3 benches and all the rest in there. I wont be too happy if this happens. Above all areas of the gym, the weights room must be the most used section. They are other parts such as where all the rowing machines are between the 2 aerobics rooms that are barely used at all!

So while TF might not seem too busy right now, it won't be so if they try to squeeze us into that small room! Have you heard anything about these proposed changes?

JT.

Malteaser! · 07-09-2008 9:27pm

jt_dublin wrote: »

Hanley,
I train in TF as well and have heard that the gym layout is going to change due to the proposed new roads for the M50 interchange cutting into the car park. The reception will be where the weights room currently is and the free weights will move upstairs to the small poolside room next to the ladies gym. That room is only half the size so I reckon they will have to lose some of the equipment. I cant see them fitting 2 squat racks, 3 benches and all the rest in there. I wont be too happy if this happens. Above all areas of the gym, the weights room must be the most used section. They are other parts such as where all the rowing machines are between the 2 aerobics rooms that are barely used at all!

So while TF might not seem too busy right now, it won't be so if they try to squeeze us into that small room! Have you heard anything about these proposed changes?

JT.

Last I heard the free weights were gonna remain downstairs but would be moved to the opposite side - where the stretching area/membership office/reception is now.

jt_dublin · 07-09-2008 10:14pm

Cheers Malteaser, I hope that is the case. Next day I'm in there I might ask Steve the manager what the lastest story is and will report back to you guys.

Hanley · 07-09-2008 11:07pm

jt_dublin wrote: »

Hanley,
I train in TF as well and have heard that the gym layout is going to change due to the proposed new roads for the M50 interchange cutting into the car park. The reception will be where the weights room currently is and the free weights will move upstairs to the small poolside room next to the ladies gym. That room is only half the size so I reckon they will have to lose some of the equipment. I cant see them fitting 2 squat racks, 3 benches and all the rest in there. I wont be too happy if this happens. Above all areas of the gym, the weights room must be the most used section. They are other parts such as where all the rowing machines are between the 2 aerobics rooms that are barely used at all!

So while TF might not seem too busy right now, it won't be so if they try to squeeze us into that small room! Have you heard anything about these proposed changes?

JT.

Gotta defer to Malteaser on that one alright. Hopefully they won't mess around with things too much. One good thing is that there'll no longer be those annoying holes right in the middle of the squat racks where your feet should go!! And the bar won't have the tendency to roll away on deadlifts either cos the floor won't be destroyed...

Now, if they just left some allen keys around so I could tighten the dumbbells and ends of the barbells before I did my sets I'd be a happy camper!

kevpants · 08-09-2008 10:31am

03mcgs0 wrote: »

What I don’t want is, that if you go in at 7pm you can’t get a bench to save your life, or that there is 3 in a line for an ez curl bar!

I train up there 4 times a week. Sometimes lunchtimes, sometimes evenings. The evenings never get that bad, however I never go on a Monday evening. You won't have to wait too long for a bench if at all most evenings. There's 2 squat racks and very few squatters (but don't be suprised to see them being used for curls).

Like Hanley said theres a mixed crowd. There's a few animals, alot of scumknacks and quite a few of the most entertaining posers I've ever witnessed.

Pen1987 · 08-09-2008 1:54pm

I was in Westpoint on a guest pass on tuesday at around 2030... saw a bloke standing in front of the mirror in a sleeveless top, pull the waist area up over and behind his head so basically his whole from except his delts were on display twist and then tense his abs. This was downstairs in the machines area where all the women were, gas, I'm was in bits trying to holding in my laughing.

John1Doe · 14-09-2008 9:53pm

Hanley wrote: »

What she said!!

Another option is ther's a new gym opening up in Ballycoolin. It's being run by two of the powerlifters out of Hercs, by the looks of things it could be very good. From what I've heard downstairs is gonna be more orientated towards heavy lifting with a "normal" gym upstairs!

I'll find out more info if anyone's interested. That being said, if you're looking for a pool etc, TF's probably the better option. I'll be staying put in TF anyway.

Any more info on the gym being opened in Ballycoolin? - I searched the internet but I couldn't find anything.
Thanks

Hanley · 14-09-2008 11:16pm

John1Doe wrote: »

Any more info on the gym being opened in Ballycoolin? - I searched the internet but I couldn't find anything.
Thanks

You certainly won't find anything on the net!! I dunno what the story is. The lads were away at a powerlifting comp so they haven't been around this week. If I'm talking to em during the week I'll ask and see.

ateam · 24-09-2008 1:06pm

I'm a member of TF in Castleknock. I just want to mention to you that TF is not as clean or as new as Westpoint. The machines are old, the changing rooms are quite dingy and dirty. But the location, despite the new entrance is great (Westpoint is in the centre - traffic) and the sheer size of TF, it keeps me happy.

Edit: the pool is filthy as well, I don't use it anymore. It has improved but it's still dirty.

Malteaser! · 24-09-2008 1:16pm

ateam wrote: »

I'm a member of TF in Castleknock. I just want to mention to you that TF is not as clean or as new as Westpoint. The machines are old, the changing rooms are quite dingy and dirty. But the location, despite the new entrance is great (Westpoint is in the centre - traffic) and the sheer size of TF, it keeps me happy.

Edit: the pool is filthy as well, I don't use it anymore. It has improved but it's still dirty.

You're right, Westpoint is much newer looking that TF but the standard of equipment in TF is much higher I find. I personally don't mind if the place looks a bit dated so long as the equipment is good!!

Hanley · 24-09-2008 1:41pm

Malteaser! wrote: »

You're right, Westpoint is much newer looking that TF but the standard of equipment in TF is much higher I find. I personally don't mind if the place looks a bit dated so long as the equipment is good!!

+1

I'm sold on quality over shiny gadgets tbh!!

The mens changing rooms in TF are perfectly clean in my opinion. The hydro pool is a bit dingy at tims, but I can't say it bothers me at all.

Lets face it, the gym isn't a clean envoirnment anyway. You're handling bars, dumbbells and machines that hundreds of people will have touched in the last few days...

LegacyUser · 24-09-2008 1:44pm

One thing to note is that Total Fitness isn't the cleanest at the best of times. In addition, their facilities can be broken for weeks/months on end becuase they claim to have to get "permission/sign off" from the UK.
The pluge pool was always broken for the 2 years I was there. The tiles were falling off in the steam room for about 6 months and one week the showers we not working at all, with exception of a communal shower (where men, women and children were to all shower together).

I moved to Crunch in Westmanstown and I find that the programme I have been given is much better.

Hanley · 24-09-2008 1:49pm

bubby wrote: »

One thing to note is that Total Fitness isn't the cleanest at the best of times. In addition, their facilities can be broken for weeks/months on end becuase they claim to have to get "permission/sign off" from the UK.
The pluge pool was always broken for the 2 years I was there. The tiles were falling off in the steam room for about 6 months and one week the showers we not working at all, with exception of a communal shower (where men, women and children were to all shower together).

I moved to Crunch in Westmanstown and I find that the programme I have been given is much better.

I know I sound like the TF spokesman, but that really isn't the case anymore.... I dunno whether there was a management change or not, but all the sauna's, steamrooms and showers work in Castleknock at least.

I have seen some stuff out of action for a month or two, but there's other things you can do if needs be sure.

One thing that does annoy me tho is that the bar's keep falling apart. They need to stick some glue on the threads next time before they screw them together.

LegacyUser · 24-09-2008 2:03pm

It is only a month since I left TF - and the plunge pool was still broken then! For 2 years solid!

The manager wasn' very nice either. Something very snide and dis-ingenuous about him. The day my husband complained about the lack of showering facilities he was quite rude and it was then that we decided to cancel our membership.

The only thing we miss is the play stations in the lobby - but thats not what you go to the gym for.

Hanley · 24-09-2008 2:05pm

bubby wrote: »

It is only a month since I left TF - and the plunge pool was still broken then! For 2 years solid!

The manager wasn' very nice either. Something very snide and dis-ingenuous about him. The day my husband complained about the lack of showering facilities he was quite rude and it was then that we decided to cancel our membership.

The only thing we miss is the play stations in the lobby - but thats not what you go to the gym for.

In TF Castleknock???

LegacyUser · 24-09-2008 2:08pm

Yes, Total Fitness in Castleknock.

Hanley · 24-09-2008 2:24pm

bubby wrote: »

Yes, Total Fitness in Castleknock.

Ummm... every time I've been in the hydrothreaphy pool or sauna/steamroom for the last 6 months I've used the plunge pool afterwards. Every single time like...

LegacyUser · 24-09-2008 2:27pm

Strange - becuase any time I went to use it there is a cone up beside it and it is empty. Haven't been there in 2 months mind.

kevpants · 24-09-2008 2:34pm

bubby wrote: »

I moved to Crunch in Westmanstown and I find that the programme I have been given is much better.

Oooooooh I dunno. Crunch is definitely the most plush I've ever seen, wall to wall carpet in the mahogany gilded dressing rooms with big golden thrones dotted about the place but as a gym it sucks. The pool is always full of kids, there's no communal jacuzzi/hydro pool so if yourself and your husband want to chill out and have a chat after a workout you can't. There are alot of machines, treadmills etc but as far as weights go it's pathetic. The staff have a shocking knowledge of fitness but that's not unique to Crunch either in fairness.

I made the opposite switch to you bubby and am very happy. Then again I'd train in a cowshed if it had the right equipment.

LegacyUser · 24-09-2008 3:10pm

Agree with you about the communal jacuzzi/hydro pool. Pity Crunch doesn't have one.I didn't find out about that until after I'd signed the contract. A bit disappointing, but as the sales person said ... its usually the young teenagers who want to grope in the pond (well .. of course using a lot more PC language than that

I prefer to know that machines are services and working correctly etc. I remember one time in TF I was in a spinning class and the blummin' pedal fell off the bike and I ended up falling on my snot!

I suppose its each to their own

Depends on what you are willing to tolerate.

javaboy · 25-09-2008 10:00am

kevpants wrote: »

Oooooooh I dunno. Crunch is definitely the most plush I've ever seen, wall to wall carpet in the mahogany gilded dressing rooms with big golden thrones dotted about the place but as a gym it sucks. The pool is always full of kids, there's no communal jacuzzi/hydro pool so if yourself and your husband want to chill out and have a chat after a workout you can't. There are alot of machines, treadmills etc but as far as weights go it's pathetic. The staff have a shocking knowledge of fitness but that's not unique to Crunch either in fairness.

I joined Crunch a while ago and while the thrones, carpets and faux flames all remind me of Ben Stiller's gym in Dodgeball, I have to say I'm happy enough. It's not a weights oriented gym. It's a commercial gym. The majority of gym joiners are looking to lose weight and expect to see rows of treadmills so they know they'll never have to wait for one. If they didn't have heaps of cardio machines it would cost them membership. Most potential gym members are likely to be put off by a huge weights section at the expense of cardio/machines. If you're looking for somewhere to do serious heavy lifting, then it's probably not for you.

As for the pool, I've only seen it packed once in about 20 visits and that was while an Aquafit/water aerobics class was using up the lanes.

Sanjuro · 01-10-2008 2:02pm

Hey. I was thinking of joining TF Castleknock. Not looking to do much weights or what have you. Just looking to do general cardio stuff. Can you tell me, are the treadmills, etc... up there good?

Also, the mention of scum kinda puts me off! Is it a problem there or can you pretty much keep to yourself without any trouble?

kevpants · 01-10-2008 3:35pm

You won't get any hassle off them. They're gas to listen to as well. The scumbags I mean, not the treadmills.

Never used the treadmills but they look ok. There seems to be plenty of them scattered about the place.

Hanley · 01-10-2008 7:41pm

There's a truck load of treadmills, bikes and crosstrainers. A few stepmills and a good few CII rowing machines too.

The "dodgy" guys won't have any interest in you tbh. If you strike up some convo they'll talk back, but don't think you're gonna become their b!tch cos you train in the same gym as them like!!

Total Fitness Vs Westpoint

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