Thinking of Joining, Crunch Fitness Tallaght.

richierichballs

Never been.

Just wondering are any users on here, members?

My membership in the Carlisle has expired and I have no plans of renewing,
I usually go to the gym between 6-9 in the evenings after work and the Carlisle was terrible busy, could never get a bench or any weights.

Now that Total Fitness has closed I suspect the Carlisle is going to get even busier so I'm done with it and I don't mind spending the extra cash if Crunch is worth it?

Anyone a member? Whats your experience?
What are fellow members like? And does it be busy in the evenings?

Thanks.

xgtdec

HI There

I'm a member in Tallaght and Aston Quay, but mainly tallaght!!

I quite like it in tallaght, i use free weights the pool and the spinning and abs classes, there are a few sound instructors who know their stuff and the equipment seems to be in decent nick.

The pool is nice and rarely full and i use the hydro pool for stretching so not to take up a lane in the main pool, steam room is nice and big and most times you would have room to stretch out!!

Changing rooms are always clean and the pressure on the showers(men's at least) is fantastic.

Possibly a few downsides:(

1, the classes tend to be a bit samey!! if you do a lot of them, you end up avoiding instructors who play music ya dont like etc.....i hate that eastern European dance remix ****e, but it seems to be the norm for spinning, there's a few who have better tunes...you'll soon learn them;)

2, The Polish...They are everywhere is crunch tallaght, from reception to cleaners, i think management are Irish, The typical Polish weights users are big ignorant twats who lift it, fu*ck it on the floor and walk away, or load the smith...do 2 reps and walk, they are also very rude when asking about sets you have left, dont be surprised when they tap you and say "how many" and then try intimidate you out of the way, i know someone gonna jump on here and slate my stereotype but ive been there 2 years average 3 days a week and this is what ive seen and experienced, there are also some lovely polish people there.....just not lifting heavy weights.

3, douchbag 10 stone tallaght heads with popped collars..Bermuda shorts and lifting gloves...need i say more!!

4, a lot of dumbells stickers are falling off and the weight is now tipp-ex'd on the side, ya still know what your lifting but it looks a bit cheap!

5. no power rack(yet)


Overall though it grand for me and i cant fault it for classes and range of equipment(bar the rack), if it help i pay 440 for the year to use all of the branches...any questions just ask and im sure i have passes if ya want to come as a visitor!!!!

oliver29

Hi. I use the tallaght branch too. Mostly like it too. My first impressions it's dark and more than a little purple but have just about gotten over that

Pros
The equipment is kept clean, even down to the handles of the dumbbells.

Opening hours are good.

Pool is quiet enough ( chlorine threated ... poor ventilation btw)

Showers are good, they seem to be working through refreshing them at the minute too.

Gym etiquette usually pretty good.


Cons
Machine upkeep could be better, exercise bikes are rough (pedals slipping, bearings worn etc.). Grips on some of the equipment and rope pulldown could do with some attention.

No water machine - seriously what's that about?

Weights area can get busy.

Little or no mobile phone coverage.



WRT the Polish remark. I spend about half my time in the weights area, so far never felt like they're trying to coax me to move along... certainly are well represented. Frankly the Irish as just as bad at leaving equipment everywhere except where it should be.

TripleC

FYI

Crunch Fitness Tallaght will be closing very soon!!

Its now all thats being talked about in the Gym, pool, Sauna and even out on the street......yet Crunch managment are still saying "we know nothing" whenever you ask questions. I can understand the staff are obviously nervous about their jobs and I have a lot of sympathy for them, however some of them are extemely hostile (bordering on aggressive) when you ask anything. There seems to be a conspiracy of silence aimed at keeping members in the dark.

There have been consistent rumours about it closing since I first joined in 2008. This time is different as they ceased to maintain the Gym about 6 months ago, most notably not fixing the benches in the Sauna. Also, they have even stopped refilling the vending machines.

Aparently, there are letters going out this week with new offers, which will most likely be to say that your membership is valid in Crunch Temple Bar, Dun Laoighaire or Westmanstown.

The ironic thing is, the Gym has actually never been busier since I first joined. Just from talking to people in the gym they have obviously also gotten alot of new members when Citywest Gym had problems and I have met a good few people who were formerly with Total Fitness in Sandyford.

However, I have heard its a case of not wanting to operate this branch any more rather then the branch is unprofitable!

Many of the members are very very dissapointed as they have been at this Gym for years and really don't want to join Arena (of which I have heard very mixed reviews) or Westpark which is awkward for some people.

xgtdec

heard this too, and while working out in another gym in town i was informed that crunch tallaght didnt have long left, i didnt really pay attention as its been rumour for some time but a friend of mine signed up to westpark and was told in there that crunch had 3 weeks(now 2) left, its a pity becasue it was/is a nice gym with good facilities, i guess ill stay in aston quay till my contract is up, i wouldnt rejoin aston quay though, tallaght is a far far nicer branch, so i guess ill be in the market for a city centre gym...AGAIN!!

TripleC

xgtdec wrote: »

heard this too, and while working out in another gym in town i was informed that crunch tallaght didnt have long left, i didnt really pay attention as its been rumour for some time but a friend of mine signed up to westpark and was told in there that crunch had 3 weeks(now 2) left, its a pity becasue it was/is a nice gym with good facilities, i guess ill stay in aston quay till my contract is up, i wouldnt rejoin aston quay though, tallaght is a far far nicer branch, so i guess ill be in the market for a city centre gym...AGAIN!!

True xgtdec! It is a great branch, but, like I said its a case of not wanting to stay open as opposed to being forced to close. On principle I wouldn't go to another Crunch branch because of the underhanded way they are going about this whole business. Its self evident that there are enough members to keep going as its never been busier...I am sure you have experience of this!;)

TripleC

Confirmed today! Crunch Tallaght will close next Thursday June 30th!!! A crying shame.

Crunch maintain that the reason they are pulling out is that the building has structural problems. And its true that when it rains there are leaks from the roof in the mens changing rooms and in the reception area. However, this is over stating the issue a bit!

Anyway, a very sad mood in there tonight...alot of surprised people. It was a really nice Gym and many members are there since it opened. Feel really sorry for the staff. They were a bit narky for the past few weeks but in hindsight thats understandable. Funnily enough, a few have been lucky and gotten moved to other Crunch outlets, but about half are finishing up next week. Thoughts must be with them!

C

hinault

TripleC wrote: »

Confirmed today! Crunch Tallaght will close next Thursday June 30th!!! A crying shame.

Crunch maintain that the reason they are pulling out is that the building has structural problems. And its true that when it rains there are leaks from the roof in the mens changing rooms and in the reception area. However, this is over stating the issue a bit!

Anyway, a very sad mood in there tonight...alot of surprised people. It was a really nice Gym and many members are there since it opened. Feel really sorry for the staff. They were a bit narky for the past few weeks but in hindsight thats understandable. Funnily enough, a few have been lucky and gotten moved to other Crunch outlets, but about half are finishing up next week. Thoughts must be with them!

C

If there is that level of demand there, perhaps it can be sold as a going concern?

Innervision

Such a pity, really liked this gym Can anyone recommend an alternative in/near the area which has similar classes? Really liked Crunch's fitness classes!

Jarren

Try Westpark
http://www.westpark.ie/

TripleC

hinault wrote: »

If there is that level of demand there, perhaps it can be sold as a going concern?

Theres definately demand and location/Gym loyalty in spades. However, aparently Crunch are in legal dispute with the builders over structural problems. Personally I think this will stop any attempt at a restart. Plus, Crunch are only closing this branch so any new owner will need to bring in equipment!

Actually, a couple of guys who are regulars were talking to the members asking would people support comming together to try and take over the lease or something. Its a nice thought and shows how strongly people feel but I don't think it will be a runner. I'll see what they say if I bump into them again.

As for other Gyms in the area. I met quite alot of people in Crunch who had previously been in Arena and to a lesser extent Westpark...and didn't like them.

Having been in both on visits I will say they have drawbacks compared to Crunch:

Arena: Only really good for free weights. Pool small and unsuitable for swimmers. The place is overall very packed and a bit grubby. The dressing rooms are tiny compared to Crunch.

Westpark isn't too bad, but I've met alot who don't like the layout of the Gym. Likewise...some see the segregated Sauna/Steam as a drawback;) Also, the location is in nomans land. In cCrunch I was used to popping over to the Sq, M&S, Supervalu etc either before or after the Gym.

Crying shame Crunch are going. We were like a little family there!:)

serenacat

There is no mention of this on their website but a trainer in dun laoirghaire told me they are closing. Have they already closed? I'd like to go again before its gone for good. any information?

TripleC

serenacat wrote: »

There is no mention of this on their website but a trainer in dun laoirghaire told me they are closing. Have they already closed? I'd like to go again before its gone for good. any information?

Yes, unfortunately they are definately gone!:( Actually, they told everybody they would be open all day on the 30th (last day) but by lunchtime the gym was completely cleared out!! Alot of members were annoyed as we had arranged to have a final workout meetup!!!

Did you use Tallaght much?

C

xgtdec

are we still talking about crunch tallaght:p

joined westpark the same day as cruch closed...it does the job and so far i have no complaints about it!!

TripleC

LOL...still gutted about Crunch Tallaght!

I was in Westpark before and wasn't mad on it. Firstly, it tends to be very busy. Secondly, I don't think the machines are as good as those in Crunch. Third, I really hate the way the Sauna/Steam are in the locker rooms.....invariably guys come into them in the nip::( and in Crunch on the Weekend myself and the GF used to be able to relax around the pool and in the Sauna/Steam together!

Furthermore, and maybe this has changed since I was there.....Westpark is very settled, having a slightly older crowd. I liked the buzz in Crunch as most people were 25-30. And....dare I say it I did like the multicultural aspect of Crunch (although I am biased bec the missus is Polski):P

C

serenacat

TripleC wrote: »

Yes, unfortunately they are definately gone!:( Actually, they told everybody they would be open all day on the 30th (last day) but by lunchtime the gym was completely cleared out!! Alot of members were annoyed as we had arranged to have a final workout meetup!!!

Did you use Tallaght much?

C

No i only used it twice but would have gone one last time before it closed!