Going to the gym, what makes you cringe??

gabgab

Hey ladies,

I dont post often in here but I have learnt a great deal from reading around here. Namely telling my girlfriend that she is being completely unreasonable and illogical is indeed a idiotic thing to do

I am wondering could you help me out with a venture I am undertaking. If this is against the rules then please delete mods,

I run agym and am wondering what are the things that women hate the most about gyms, and more importantly what would make them better and more inviting,

My sister and mum have helped me out a great deal and given me some great pointers. It has ranged from

One that gets results so I can buy THAT dress,
Dont have cheap nasty toilet paper,
It MUST smell clean,

Is there anything else that would make a gym a nicer place for ladies to come and train in and create a friendly good craic atmosphere??

Thanks so much,

watna

I hate gyms that have lots of sweaty bodbuilders in them. I dont like all women gyms either, (I find all female environments unatural) but I used to belong to a gym where giant muscly men in weight belts would sneer at you when you had to move the weights up to the lightest. I always felt uncomfortable doing weights. Gyms where lots of women use the weight's confidently make me feel better. Not sure how you could use that in your gym though.

My current gym is pretty awesome but my suggestion (and this is going to sound bad) is to have a TV showing E! or one of those kinds of channels. Every time I watch it at home (programmes like girls of the playboy mansion or other vapid things) I'm reminded that I have a nice figure that I've let slide a bit and the gym would be a good idea to be a bit healthier and slimmer and feel better about myself.

I also like when my gym shows the food channel. I love cooking and find it oddly motivating to watch food programmes while on the treadmill. I find it motivates me to work harder so I can eat some of the food that they are showing on the programme later!

My current gym also, as you mentioned above smells clean and it's great. Ive noticed a few times a nice fresh smell which makes it all a bit more pleasant. It also has not onle hairdryers in the changing rooms but a GHD which is a great touch for women. It has a spa pool too which a lot of ladies use after the gym pr any of the classes. I've got chatting to a lot of people in there.

NewFrockTuesday

It must BE clean!

My own pet hate is when those ganky carpet tiles are in the changing area. I have visions of underfoot being red hot alive with bacteria from all the foot traffic. With tiles its an easy hose down and presto! But with the carpety tile, it builds and build.....disgusting beyond belief.


Bins that dont have a foot pedal and open bins. Bacteria flying about hte place nilly willy.

Showers that have dirty old plugholes. Also people who dont wear flips flops in the shower.

Towels for drying your hands - paper preferably - not mad on those hand dryer things either. Bacteria blowing about the place.

Caustic air freshners - always too strong and that hiss they give is creepy. The desending mist of chokingly strong scent really irritates me. Then people start sneezing. Bring on the bacteria party.

I have a thing about bacteria. I cant bring out the bins at home or I have to have a shower as I see a purple haze of bacs crawling up my arms. Same with out of date food or dust and dirt....so my views might be a bit OTT for some. But I dont really think so. Most women have a very low tolerence of dirt...most men too I presume? Tar. Brush. All. Me.

allabouteve

Deepsense wrote: »

Bring on the bacteria party.

I have a thing about bacteria. I cant bring out the bins at home or I have to have a shower as I see a purple haze of bacs crawling up my arms. Same with out of date food or dust and dirt....so my views might be a bit OTT for some. But I dont really think so. Most women have a very low tolerence of dirt...most men too I presume? Tar. Brush. All. Me.

Jesus :eek:

Khannie

I have some bad news for you deepsense.....there are more bacteria cells than human cells in your body. Weird, but true.

gabgab

watna wrote: »

I hate gyms that have lots of sweaty bodbuilders in them. I dont like all women gyms either, (I find all female environments unatural) but I used to belong to a gym where giant muscly men in weight belts would sneer at you when you had to move the weights up to the lightest. I always felt uncomfortable doing weights. Gyms where lots of women use the weight's confidently make me feel better. Not sure how you could use that in your gym though.

My current gym is pretty awesome but my suggestion (and this is going to sound bad) is to have a TV showing E! or one of those kinds of channels. Every time I watch it at home (programmes like girls of the playboy mansion or other vapid things) I'm reminded that I have a nice figure that I've let slide a bit and the gym would be a good idea to be a bit healthier and slimmer and feel better about myself.

I also like when my gym shows the food channel. I love cooking and find it oddly motivating to watch food programmes while on the treadmill. I find it motivates me to work harder so I can eat some of the food that they are showing on the programme later!

My current gym also, as you mentioned above smells clean and it's great. Ive noticed a few times a nice fresh smell which makes it all a bit more pleasant. It also has not onle hairdryers in the changing rooms but a GHD which is a great touch for women. It has a spa pool too which a lot of ladies use after the gym pr any of the classes. I've got chatting to a lot of people in there.

Thanks so much for the replies ladies, and can I say brilliant work watna on the weights and actively doing them and seeking them out. We find it makes a huge difference to peoples shape in a short space of time, kudos

Is it important that you can get chatting to people and have a bit of a laugh or more in and out and get the work done?

I see your point about te TV's showing lots of stuff but do you reckon women might find it intimidating having that on the telly all day? I do kow a few girls that have pics of there past sahpes stuck on their fridge and stuff though :pac:

Deepsense wrote: »

It must BE clean!

My own pet hate is when those ganky carpet tiles are in the changing area. I have visions of underfoot being red hot alive with bacteria from all the foot traffic. With tiles its an easy hose down and presto! But with the carpety tile, it builds and build.....disgusting beyond belief.


Bins that dont have a foot pedal and open bins. Bacteria flying about hte place nilly willy.

Showers that have dirty old plugholes. Also people who dont wear flips flops in the shower.

Towels for drying your hands - paper preferably - not mad on those hand dryer things either. Bacteria blowing about the place.

Caustic air freshners - always too strong and that hiss they give is creepy. The desending mist of chokingly strong scent really irritates me. Then people start sneezing. Bring on the bacteria party.

I have a thing about bacteria. I cant bring out the bins at home or I have to have a shower as I see a purple haze of bacs crawling up my arms. Same with out of date food or dust and dirt....so my views might be a bit OTT for some. But I dont really think so. Most women have a very low tolerence of dirt...most men too I presume? Tar. Brush. All. Me.

I could not agree more about the bins, makes a hug difference.

Does a place need to be fancy though? I am a little worried that our gym is not at all. We keep it spotless, disinfectant every night and throughout the day and its extremely clean but we are not flashy at all. Do you guys have an opinion on the msell, there has been some discussion amongst us regarding it ending up smelling like a hospital. What do you guys think??

Thanks so much,

paperclip2

A free weights section for women. I get very tired of running the gauntlet of dirty looks when I dare to take a bench and move weights around. In my gym there are a few groups of lads who seem to think that weights should be for men only.

Trinity

The biggest thing for me is the staff.

Its nice to have someone on hand esp if you dont know what you're doing and have to look around for half an hour to find someone to show you how to use a machine

Other than that its the tight assed toned chicks make me cringe and i stand as far away from them with my jelly belly as possible but theres nothing you can do about that i guess

watna

I think cleanliness is always going to be more important than fanciness. Im presuming that your prices reflect the level the gym is at? My gym is quite fancy but it is also very expensive. I can only afford it because work pay 50% of my annual fees and it is in my building at work so is just so handy. Also - do you have monthly or casual rates? I find that a good incentive. My gym has casual rates but also when I joined gave me some free passes to bring someone with me. I brought my OH down a few times at weekends which was nice because we could really take our time there and do something together on a Saturday or Sunday that was better than lying on the couch watchin midsomer murders and eating" Perhaps you could do couples rates? Some women might feel more confident going down with their bf if they are not experienced in the gym.

Getting together for a chat isn't a huge thing for me because you're there to work out but having a nice atmosphere where people have a bit if a chat is nice, as I said above people talk in the steam room or sauna. If I do a class then I think having interaction with people is quite important.

EDIT: about the motivation thing. Yes some women wouldnt like to see things on tv that might make them feel inadequate. Personally it makes me put the effort in and do a proper workout. I guess it all depends!

NewFrockTuesday

Khannie wrote: »

I have some bad news for you deepsense.....there are more bacteria cells than human cells in your body. Weird, but true.

la lalalalalalalalalala....Im not listening imnotlistening.......


I see the bacs in my head as colours...and they crawl after me if I get too near dirt. (Omg I sound mental) If I see an open bin on a street, Ill cross over to the other side. If I miss it and get too near, Ill shower when I get home. Summer is actually alot worse than Winter. Everything festers so much faster....harder to keep up.

I know Im a nut job. Ho well..it doesnt really bother me. I think alot more people are like me but dont say maybe. And Im getting more easygoing much so its not a problem as such.


Does it have to be fancy? Nope. Just clean. Ill take jumble adn clean anyday over fancy and grimy.

watna

paperclip2 wrote: »

A free weights section for women. I get very tired of running the gauntlet of dirty looks when I dare to take a bench and move weights around. In my gym there are a few groups of lads who seem to think that weights should be for men only.

Couldn't agree more with this. Its very intimidating sometimes. Women use weights too. Especially if you're not really losing weight but need to tone.

Trinity wrote: »

The biggest thing for me is the staff.

Its nice to have someone on hand esp if you dont know what you're doing and have to look around for half an hour to find someone to show you how to use a machine

Other than that its the tight assed toned chicks make me cringe and i stand as far away from them with my jelly belly as possible but theres nothing you can do about that i guess

I was going to say something earlier about trainers/staff. Down to earth female staff make a huge difference when you need help. Some of the machinery can be very daunting.

username90

I'm real big on the clean showers - my old gym would be clean in the morning but come the afternoon plug holes would be full of hair, the soap from every1 elses showers would be sittin on top of the drain coz not enough water was run to get rid of it.....Then Id see workers standin round chattin or walking mindlessly when they could be washin the damn changin rooms!!:mad:

Also maybe doors rather than shower curtains as they tend to look real dirty and stick to your body when ur in ther!!

A rack in the shower thats big enough for shower gel, shampoo, your shower scrub and your raisor!! None can ever hold it all!!

Also if the shower nossles themselves were not those buttons that ya just press and then run out after a few seconds, drives me insane havin to keep pressin it!! I understand thats obviously coz ppl dont turn them off al the time but I honestly think it would mostly be men that wouldn turn them off......(sorry guys:P) Ya have2 turn off the shower at home so I think women would turn it off in the gym!!

Have a few small private cubicles that the shier (shyer??) women could use to change, it drives me crazy when ppl take all their stuff into the bathroom to change and Im left outside dyin to use the toilet!! (Cant understand why ppl do that nyway its not lik wer a load of pervs dyin2 see wat u look lik)

Hmmm think thats most of it but I would lik 2see different channels on the telly as well. My gym only ever has the same3 channels on - 2sports and rte2 in the mornin (which is all kiddies programmes wtf?!?!) and then changes into another sports channel in evenin - where's the womens choice in that?!?!

Cold water fountains to re-fill your bottle effortlessly!!

Oh and if the changin rooms are a fair walk away from the gym itself, lik a staircase - Id LOVE a few toilets in the gym itself. Nothin fancy just somethin small and close enough that you dont end up takin 10 mins to go to the toilet. I have the worst bladder and this drives me nuts!!

Good luck!!:D

daftdave

a good way to gather your customer's opinions is to put comment cards and a comment's box in the changing rooms and people may give you feedback that you might not get if they had to speak to your receptionist's.

and good staff with a can do attitude who speak to people , say hello , make people feel that they are approachable and are not gonna think they sound stupid because they are not really sure how to use a certain machine or are not sure of the best way to tackle a beer gut.

Khannie

Deepsense wrote: »

(Omg I sound mental)

At least you know it.

gabgab

Ah guys thanks a million I feel a lot better as we are not as far behind as I thought, well I hope we are'nt.

In terms of cleanliness, what is the best kind of smell? My sister reckons the New York candle Company fresh linen is a gorgeous neutral smell likened by men and women alike? Well that or it smelling just of disinfectant,

Do you think that diet advice is very important. The old phrase a body is built in the kitchen not the gym ringing in my ears,

Decent advice, or maybe a workshop where all members can sit around and chat with a person at the top that nows their stuff and knows first hand what is involved in changing shape would be a good idea?

Wibbs

Deepsense wrote: »

I have a thing about bacteria. I cant bring out the bins at home or I have to have a shower as I see a purple haze of bacs crawling up my arms. Same with out of date food or dust and dirt....so my views might be a bit OTT for some. But I dont really think so. Most women have a very low tolerence of dirt...most men too I presume? Tar. Brush. All. Me.

I'd reckon it's generally more women. IME anyway. I read years back the theory was that women tend to more into cleaning and such, because they're the ones who give birth and that's dangerous and leaves them much more open to infection so instinctively they are more likely to be "clean freaks" than men. Though I do know one guy that would be way worse than you if that's and consolation.:)

rainbow kirby

If you've got any sort of individual TVs on cardio machines, make sure the channel can be changed easily! If I'm at my gym and I'm on the treadmill it's always Sky News time - not everyone wants MTV

Also seconding the clean changing rooms, women are way more likely to be clean freaks.

Possibly a womens free weights workshop? Take in a small group (4-8) once a week for an hour and teach good form, and help to reduce the intimidation a little?

hunnymonster

For me the most important things are cleanliness and fresh air. So many gyms have little air circulation meaning they smell like boys armpits/farts/beer depending on the time of day. I don't think you need scented candles or dettol but just plain old fashioned fresh air.

username90 wrote: »

A rack in the shower thats big enough for shower gel, shampoo, your shower scrub and your raisor!! None can ever hold it all!!

so simple but a biggie (although many gyms don't let you use razors in the showers)


A water fountain is another important one. I'm constantly surprised at how many gyms don't have one.

I'm not a big fan of the women-only areas myself. We'd give out if there were men only area's so not fair to expect the reverse.

There are never enough benches in gyms. No matter what gym I go to, I always queue on a flat bench.

Miss Fluff

Most definitley a free weights section for the wimmins. The STARES I get from big vacuous beefcakes when I go in the weight area at my gym astounds me - like tom cats guarding their territory! Would be nice to have a seperate area where the girls can just get on with weight training without being stared at!!

Yes, plentiful water coolers would also be a welcome addition in my gym.

I'd really welcome a place to put my iPod when on the treadmill and bike.

I also think that if TV is not a favoured option (have no interest in watching it) then there should be a really good selection of dance music available on headphones.

And of course cleanliness as everyone else has pointed out - absolutely essential.

RacoonQueen

Staffing is the most important aspect of ANY gym. Too many instructors seem like they'd prefer to sit around at the desk with nothing to do than helping out their clients. Not all people who go to the gym use instructors, they're the people who already know what they're doing, usually, for the ones that do get programmes etc made out the instructors should be checking regularly that they're ok with the programme, checking in and seeing how they're progressing etc it's friendly and gives people confidence and gives them the opportunity to ask for help if they need it. Some gyms ring people about a month after they join to ask how they're doing, personally, I'd find that really irritating but some people would find that great and really motivating.

I'm not a big fan of the womens only weights area, my gym has one with two weight stacks of only dumbbells that only go up to 10kg and two benches...and the men use it anyway. Who cares if the men 'look' at you when you go into the weights area, do it enough times and they'll stop caring.

Edit: If something breaks, get if fixed, putting a sign on it and leaving it there for two weeks isn't really good enough, nor is taping up mirrors or broken floor tiles etc...

Rented lockers. Not being able to leave your stuff at the gym can be a pain in the arse, rent out some of your lockers so people can leave their stuff there instead of carrying into work etc is always a hit.

Miss Fluff

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Rented lockers. Not being able to leave your stuff at the gym can be a pain in the arse, rent out some of your lockers so people can leave their stuff there instead of carrying into work etc is always a hit.

+1, brilliant idea

ciagr297

well not sure you can do a whole lot about these but pet peeves for me

• people not using a little towel to wipe down the equipment after use (esp if they have been slobbering all over it)
• tvs not working, or the headphone cables not working
• girls wearing full makeup and dolled up for the "gym" - its not a pickup joint!
• boys completely taking over the weights section, its for everyone!
• general equipment left unfixed
• BO smell in the gym
• gym aircon being set too warm

redapple

I have to agree with the water cooler/fountain. Sometimes when I arrive at the gym I am so thirsty before I even start, and If I have forgotten a bottle of water, I hate forking out money to buy water from the vending machine, as its more expensive. If there was a water cooler/fountain in the womens change room that would be great.

Also I like how the lighting in my gym is quite dim. Its all a bit dark and I think its more flattering and you dont feel as gross or red in the face when you catch a glimpse in the mirror.

I also reccomend breaking up the areas with plants, corners etc. My gym has a section of floor mats where I do stretches etc. but they are out in the open a bit and sometimes people stand and watch waiting for a space and I feel a bit self concious.

And upbeat music is a must!

Xiney

I'd also love a free weights section for women. And I don't want it to be full of pink 1 lb crappy **** things either - although maybe the weight bench could be pink to keep the men off it. They tend to hog the bench. Do 3 grunty reps with some ungodly weight they can barely lift while trying to look tough, slam it down, grunt some more, then prowl around the weight bench as if it's their property for the next 10 minutes before repeating. Seriously. Do your shit and get out, I want to use that bench too.


Actually, a "no gruntily hogging the machines for half an hour while you prowl around them looking manly" rule would be nice overall. They do that with other machines too.

Assets Model

Trinity wrote: »

The biggest thing for me is the staff.

Its nice to have someone on hand esp if you dont know what you're doing and have to look around for half an hour to find someone to show you how to use a machine

Other than that its the tight assed toned chicks make me cringe and i stand as far away from them with my jelly belly as possible but theres nothing you can do about that i guess

I totally agree with that, I go to crunch in belfield and while its VERY basic they've finally hired some good staff including an amazing russian girl who will be the reason I renew my membership if she's still there in february.

cuckoo

username90 wrote: »

Also maybe doors rather than shower curtains as they tend to look real dirty and stick to your body when ur in ther!!

A rack in the shower thats big enough for shower gel, shampoo, your shower scrub and your raisor!! None can ever hold it all!!

+1

Clean showers are vital. Also, hooks outside the shower cubicle to hang your towel(s) on.

I think it's also important that the womens changing area feels safe, if you know what i mean? Double doors into it, so that people walking by aren't going to get an inadvertent flash of everyone getting changed when the door opens, well lit, no big cupboards that boogie monsters can jump out of...

It can also be nice if there's a radio station piped into the changing rooms - i like music when working out, then while changing it's handy to catch the news or an interesting discussion.

A coat rack inside the door to the changing room is good in winter, so you don't have to stuff your coat and scarf into the locker.

gabgab

Thanks so much for your replies, well it seems we are a little askew on a few things but nothing that cant be sorted

What would you think about a gym that had no changing rooms, the idea being that you came up in your gear and went home in your gear??

Is not having a shower in the gym a big no for lady members?

Are TV's really that big a incentive to train? I never realised that so many people watched them while in a gym,

We have the weights area sorted thank god. Men and women train together in perfect harmony with a few of the girls being well able to outlift the men which is brilliant to see.

cee_jay

Have a pay as you go system as well as members - I was looking to renew my gym membership recently, didn't join one particular gym as they wouldn't allow me try it out before I joined - so I stuck with what I already knew.
My gym has screens in the changing room, so some parts of it are more private than others for when you are getting changed.
Water fountain is essential.
Friendly, helpful staff. There is one girl working in my gym who is a star - will help with anything, always says hello etc. I dread seeing the guy who sits there scowling at everyone coming in.
If a machine is broken get it fixed asap! At one stage in my gym the chin up and leg press were broken for over a week - I was not a happy camper.
And again cleanliness - I do not want to see plasters and the like along the floor on my way into the pool.

Faith

What would you think about a gym that had no changing rooms, the idea being that you came up in your gear and went home in your gear??

I typically go to the gym in my gear and leave in it too. That being said, I'm a student and have time to do that. All I usually do in the gym is take of my jumper, put on gloves and off I go.

Is not having a shower in the gym a big no for lady members?

Wouldn't bother me, on account of the above. I'd MUCH rather shower at home, even if I was smelly getting there.

Are TV's really that big a incentive to train? I never realised that so many people watched them while in a gym,

I love a TV with a good selection of music channels. I find watching something is nicely diverting. I like individual TVs too, not big screens with only one rubbish thing on. I also HATE dance music even when I'm working out, so would never go to a gym with it constantly blaring.

The Sweeper

gabgab wrote: »

Is not having a shower in the gym a big no for lady members?

Well, it would make lunch time and early morning trips to the gym a no-no but otherwise wouldn't bother me personally, then I live very close and can get home and into my own shower within minutes.

Xiney

gabgab wrote: »

Thanks so much for your replies, well it seems we are a little askew on a few things but nothing that cant be sorted

What would you think about a gym that had no changing rooms, the idea being that you came up in your gear and went home in your gear??

Is not having a shower in the gym a big no for lady members?

Baaaaad.

1) I cycle to the gym. There are elements, so I have to dress appropriately. I need to change into my gear.

2) I went to the gym before work a when I was working. I needed to change and the shower.

Ginny

Deffo need showers at the gym, half the week I go straight from work, so if there were no gyms I'd either have to wear my stinky clothes home or put my work clothes back on my sweaty self.
One thing I like at my gym (and its stupidly simple) the lockers are coin operated, you put a euro in to lock it and get the euro back when you unlock it, it might be a pain to have a euro but for me (who always misplaces locks) its great...:D.
The Tv's are a big deal, please have a range of channels, not just Rte1 and 2 as during peak gym times 6-8 they have news/soaps, some music channels or even E4 would be great, and maintain the tvs so they all work, I'm sick of going to a gym and having to select the individual machines that have the Tvs running properly.
Having a big range of classes really help, make sure the instructors change up their routines regularly, stops them and the classes becoming bored.
As for water fountains essential as they are can you also check the taste of the water produced make sure its chilled and palatable, the last gym I went to have a measly trickle of water that was lukewarm and tasted like Iron.
If you have a gym membership make sure everything is included, again the last gym I went to started down the road of doing pole dancing/yoga/self defence/kickboxing classes during the evening from outside contractors who then wanted the regular gym members to pay an additional supplement to take part.

itsallaboutheL

rainbow kirby wrote: »

Possibly a womens free weights workshop? Take in a small group (4-8) once a week for an hour and teach good form, and help to reduce the intimidation a little?

That is genius!! im robbing it!

gabgab

Thanks a million guys,

Every one of our classes is a workshop and we teach form and instruct at every class. People are not allowed to train on their own,

We feel that fitness should be fun, that it should have a social element to it and that we all need instruction no matter how good we are. To draw the analogy, Tiger Woods ois the greatest golfer the world has ever seen. He constantly works with golf and athletic coaches on a daily basis.

Good man its all about the L,

We have a womans workshop coming up, I am unsure as to whether we are allowed advertise so I wont but it will be great fun and full of friendly helpful people.

Exercise should not be a chore :D

Xiney

gabgab wrote: »

People are not allowed to train on their own,

what? what if they know what they're doing?

gabgab wrote: »

We have a womans workshop coming up, I am unsure as to whether we are allowed advertise so I wont but it will be great fun and full of friendly helpful people.

No, you're not allowed to advertise, but if people are interested they can pm you.

gabgab

Xiney wrote: »

what? what if they know what they're doing?


No, you're not allowed to advertise, but if people are interested they can pm you.

Even highly experienced athletes with excellent form will break down in terms of technique when they are put under pressure and exerting themselves.

A quick and easy example of this is videoing somebody doing air squats for high repetitions, say 25. The first air squat will look very different in a inexperienced and experienced person when they are working hard. Very subtle differences that make all the difference in both short term and long term,


Great, I didnt want to upset anyone or break any rules.

NewFrockTuesday

Gabgab, you have no pm? Where is your gym? Can you pm me the details please? Thanks.

Totally agree with the weights points. Id love to try them but its too intimidating to go over to what appears to be the mens section and I havent a breeze how to use them anyway, so id just be making an eejit of myself.

gabgab

Thanks for your kind PM Deepsense, we will get something worked out for you and get you started lifting weights and not feeling intimidated by silly boys

karma403

I'm a member in a hotel gym and the staff have really annoyed me. I would really appreciate if somebody would come to me and ask how I'm getting on. On my initial induction I wasn't shown how to use the weighted machines as the person giving the induction felt I should wait a while (which I agreed with) but she has never come back to find out if I ever learned how to use that equipment. I also have never seen the inital work out plan that was made up for me last August. They all just sit out at the front desk and never come near the gym.. Yes I could ask for more help but they clearly have no interest in offering any sort of personal training service so I just can't be bothered with them.

So I would say staff that offer to help/talk to people about their training regimes would be a great reputation builder for a gym.

Victor

I'm a man, but I'll post my opinion anyway.

Keep your t-shirt on in the gym, this applies especially to women. The last thing I want to see in the gym is intimate crevices. :eek: I've seen more of this in my two visits to the gym than my 8 or so visits to the pool.

Another bugbear is constantly wet floors - install underfloor heating and proper drainage falls.

In TCD, in the new sports centre, there are two sets of changing rooms, one for the pool and one for the gym. Never the twain shall meet.

Pool (25m) changing area. Outdoor shoes must be removed before entering the pool changing area. One way to "enforce" this might be to put a line of fixed, individual seats across the entrance way, thereby avoiding an overlap area. In TCD it’s just a bench to one side, which isn't as good. Changing: Separate "team style" changing areas for male/female and several dozen individual changing cubicles in the shared area, which is laid out as cubicles-lockers-lockers-cubicles-cubicles-lockers-lockers-cubicles, etc. Showers: limited number (3?) of individual cubicles in the shared area, several communal (4-6?) in each of the male/female (I'm presuming here) changing rooms. Also about 10 showers in the pool area to rinse off between changing/pool/sauna/steam rooms. Toilets: all individual rooms, fully wheelchair accessible, with baby changing facilities, in the shared area.

The gym changing areas are more conventional, with the exception of a drying area between the showers and changing area.

Xiney wrote: »

I'd also love a free weights section for women. And I don't want it to be full of pink 1 lb crappy **** things either - although maybe the weight bench could be pink to keep the men off it.

Odd, but it seems green is a good colour to discourage people from loitering in a particular area.

cuckoo wrote: »

Clean showers are vital.

Whatever about the showers, can we not have water dragged everywhere? How about a drying area between the showers and changing area?

Also, hooks outside the shower cubicle to hang your towel(s) on.

While people tend to forget things that they left on hooks, yes, hooks are necessary whether in cubicles, shower or changing areas. More than one hook is useful, so you can hang up your coat, bag, clothes, etc.

I think it's also important that the womens changing area feels safe, if you know what i mean? Double doors into it, so that people walking by aren't going to get an inadvertent flash of everyone getting changed when the door opens, well lit,

This is generally a paranoia issue rather than an actual problem, but yes, lots of toilets, showers and changing rooms suffer from this. Double doors aren't the solution (it can cause an unsupervised space), changes in direction are.

no big cupboards that boogie monsters can jump out of...

Exaggeration?

It can also be nice if there's a radio station piped into the changing rooms

I'm not so sure, by the time they reach the changing rooms, many people want to switch off.

A coat rack inside the door to the changing room is good in winter, so you don't have to stuff your coat and scarf into the locker.

Security issue.

Ginny wrote: »

One thing I like at my gym (and its stupidly simple) the lockers are coin operated, you put a euro in to lock it and get the euro back when you unlock it, it might be a pain to have a euro but for me (who always misplaces locks) its great...:D.

These do work well in the Markievicz.

As for water fountains essential as they are can you also check the taste of the water produced make sure its chilled and palatable, the last gym I went to have a measly trickle of water that was lukewarm and tasted like Iron.

One should be able to get equipment for filtered, chilled water for a few hundred euros. Make sure the water font is suitable for refilling bottles. Add a water font in the pool area.

If you have a gym membership make sure everything is included, again the last gym I went to started down the road of doing pole dancing/yoga/self defence/kickboxing classes during the evening from outside contractors who then wanted the regular gym members to pay an additional supplement to take part.

I think this will depend on the price the gym is pitched at. I pay €75/year, so including everything might be a bit much, but yes why do courses cost so much? It should be cheaper to hire someone to run a course than to have someone run a course in your gym. Of course, as the cost of running a course is fixed, the number of participants will dictate price.

WhiteWashMan

Mu biggest issue is needing to go and puke before the end of the warm up session whenever I go and do step aerobics with all the 50+ old dears.

They look after me afterwards with tea and cake and gossip though, so thats nice.

WhiteWashMan

WhiteWashMan wrote: »

Mu biggest issue is needing to go and puke before the end of the warm up session whenever I go and do step aerobics with all the 50+ old dears.

They look after me afterwards with tea and cake and gossip though, so thats nice.

Mwhahaha!

A well staffed gym is important to me. I want too see that someone is cleaning fulltime. I want staff who look like they are making sure you are training properly. Most gyms I have been to are woefully understaffed.

I don't want to talk when I'm working out.

My gym has unisex showers. Worst idea ever! All showers should be in individual stalls.

I hate the people who suckling on the water fountain. Water cooler please.

Classes are probably the biggest attraction to a gym for me and my lady friends.

NewFrockTuesday

I hate the people who suckling on the water fountain. Water cooler please

Too funny!

Xiney

Moonbaby wrote: »

My gym has unisex showers. Worst idea ever! All showers should be in individual stalls.

WAT?!!?

Assets Model

Xiney wrote: »

WAT?!!?

Surely moonbaby means communal :eek:

gabgab

So if I was to try and get a few key points from this would these be the most important:

• Cleanliness, absolutely spotless clean everywhere you look and touch with a clean scent also.
• Trainers that actually care and are looking to see you reach your goals
• Weight training and instruction
• A pay as you go option

@ Victor

You mean dudes strutting around wearing no top, indoors, soaked in sweat is not a good idea for a gym?? :D I hear you and thanks so much for all the other points, you are right on the money

The coin operated lockers is a great idea also, we have shelving where people can put there stuff and everybody knows one another so nothing has ever gone missing. Its great in one way but not ideal in another

Assets Model

Assets Model wrote: »

Surely moonbaby means communal :eek:

Communal and unisex. :eek:

Had a heated whinging session with this fella in the Sauna about it once.
His heart was broke, that he couldn't even have a decent wash.

Ended up in the shower with him on the way out.

And I am scarred for life considering how much more rooting and fiddling must be involved, to make a "decent wash".

Cubicles please. A thousand times cubicles!

ciagr297

Moonbaby wrote: »

Communal and unisex. :eek:

Had a heated whinging session with this fella in the Sauna about it once.
His heart was broke, that he couldn't even have a decent wash.

Ended up in the shower with him on the way out.

And I am scarred for life considering how much more rooting and fiddling must be involved, to make a "decent wash".

Cubicles please. A thousand times cubicles!

sounds like a very interesting showering experience:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

+1 on the cubicles

Ginny

Moonbaby wrote: »

Communal and unisex. :eek:

Had a heated whinging session with this fella in the Sauna about it once.
His heart was broke, that he couldn't even have a decent wash.

Ended up in the shower with him on the way out.

And I am scarred for life considering how much more rooting and fiddling must be involved, to make a "decent wash".

Cubicles please. A thousand times cubicles!

I'm sure this isn't allowed is it?
It's bizarre and I'm surprised the gym has any members at all because of this..

Ginny

Ginny wrote: »

I'm sure this isn't allowed is it?
It's bizarre and I'm surprised the gym has any members at all because of this..

His throughness. To be fair he intentions were completely genuine.
It is just some behaviours should stay behind closed doors.

People only use the showers to rinse off after the pool. They keep their togs on. They'd save the proper shower until they got home.

There isnt that much choice locally.

I can't understand the idiocy of the architects involved though.

Stheno

Moonbaby wrote: »

His throughness. To be fair he intentions were completely genuine.
It is just some behaviours should stay behind closed doors.

People only use the showers to rinse off after the pool. They keep their togs on. They'd save the proper shower until they got home.

There isnt that much choice locally.

I can't understand the idiocy of the architects involved though.

The gym that I occassionally use has two lots of dressing rooms.

There are communal changing rooms with cubicles for the swimming pool, with communcal and individual showers.

then there are womens and mens individual changing rooms for the gym