Bannatyne’s Health Club

I’m really not one to rant or complain but I received shocking customer service tonight at this gym, to the extent where I have absolutely no intention to return. I cancelled my membership three weeks ago as I’m going away for a while — I received pretty poor service on that occasion but kind of accepted that if you’re leaving you’re not going to be their favourite person.
As I still have access to the gym until 1^st Oct I went to use the gym after work. I had a mind block on my passcode so asked to be reminded. After giving my DOB and surname I was told I was not and had not ever been on the system. He rudely asked if I definitely came to this gym and even asked if my surname was actually double barrel. The receptionist (same one who cancelled my membership) was very closed and unreceptive to helping me. As I felt like I was being denied access to something I’ve already paid for I then spoke to the on site manager who proceeded to say sorry but I don’t even recognise your face as a regular (I’ve been going a couple times a week for the past 2 years and he says hello to me every time he’s on reception). At this stage I felt like they were calling me a liar which was pretty hurtful.
With a few more clicks of his button fancy that — I was on the system after all. The apology was lame to say the least and I decided it was time to leave.

If you are interested in joining a gym, Bannatyne’s is definitely one of the better gyms. I have just joined for £29 per month (limited time only folks) which gives me use of all 3 MCR gyms at any time of day. I have tried a few gyms in this fair city, trying to find the right one for me but LA Fitness was small, crowded and smelly whilst Fitness First was nice but doesn’t have a pool. Manchester Aquatics Centre literally horrifies me and I can’t afford anything posh.
Onto the good points; there are a lot of machines so even when it’s busy you can still get on what you need. The cardio machines are all connected to Freeview so you can watch TV on quite a large screen in front of you. The pool is a good size and there is a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. You get a couple of free ‘fitness assessment’ type things where a personal trainer shows you how to use some of the machines. There is a good variety of classes and a spinning room you can use even when there are no classes. In addition, you don’t feel crammed in and it avoids that sweaty smell I mentioned earlier.
Obviously no gym is perfect — I wouldn’t have joined if the price was any higher and I wasn’t subjected to any dodgy sales pitches which the other reviewers were. I am not very keen on the changing room, as there are no private booths but I get around that by going straight home for a shower.

Before we get into particulars about this gym, I’ll come clean about something. I am not a member of this gym. I am not a member of any gym. I have, however, just gotten home from a tour of this gym, where they tried to recruit me, so I feel equipped to tell you of its facilities. And prices.
What annoys me most about gyms (apart from the whole public sweating thing, I mean, if I want other people to see me that sweaty, I’ll have sex with them. To my mind, gyms should be in total darkness.) is that they do not advertise their prices. Nowhere. I couldn’t get prices on the website, I couldn’t enquire on the phone, they don’t have handy price guide fliers. And that’s how they get you. In order to find out the price, I was taken on a half-​hour tour of this pantheon of fitness by a hot man who showed me all the impressive facilities, then sat me down, offered me a coffee, and told me the pirce. I’m gonna save you Unilocalers the same experience; it’s £25 a month for weekend gymming (Fri/​Sat/​Sun) and £45 a month for a full membership. I did quick maths in my head, worked out that even on the cheapest membership, I’d be spending about £7 a visit, and left, without signing up.
If, like me, you are a lazy bum, this isn’t the place for you. You’ll just be pouring money into Duncan Bannatyne’s pocket, while moaning about the fact that you never go to the gym often enough to make it worthwhile. If, however, you actually can be bothered, this is a good place. It has all the weights and machines and bits and bobs. The pool is very big and has a bubbly side pool (Whirlpool? Jacuzzi? Hot tub? I’m not sure on the distinction). Wandering round the gym itself was a bit too much for me; it’s on a lot of levels and there are a lot of stairs, which I guess means you’re getting a workout on the way to your workout. Wow.
What almost swayed me was the fact that they have a Power Plate. I’m not sure what it does, but it looks like a jet-​ski, it vibrates, and celebs love em.
There are three workout studios, putting on aerobics classes such as Salsacise, Brazilian body pump and other ridiculously named classes that scare me and make me think of the video for that Eric Prydz track.
The fact of the matter is; if you’re lazy, you’ll never go to the gym, even if you join one. However, if you’re motivated, and have the money to spend on such frivolities, you could do worse. In either case, I recommend a tour at least. The stairs alone will burn off probably a whole cupcake, and it’ll be like a personal challenge not to spit your coffee all over the place when they give in and tell you the price. Me, though, I’m just gonna make do with my Davina workout DVD. Life’s too short for the gym, and there’s a recession on!

i have done the rounds on health clubs in Manchester, getting 1 – 3 free day passess and sussing out if they are worth the money every month. Now, I really only want a decent swimming pool, that is kid-​less and non-​crammed plus decent classess to make me move my sloth self into action. Bannantynes seems the best for this and also has tempted me to perhaps use the gym. On the look round, the guy was sound, the swimming pool empty and long enmough for lengths, gym devided into smaller room on different floors, for different levels and act as cover the the more intimidated. I will join next month for the no contract, £40 a month fee with only a couple of quid join up fee. If it turns out to be awful i will re-​review!