Fitness First

Recently, I was looking for a gym to join, and I was shocked to learn that this really is the only one in the area. It’s basically right outside of the Elephant & Castle area, so I have to confess that I joined primarily due to a lack of options, so if you live in the Camberwell area, welcome to Fitness First…
After joining and talking to some friends, I found out the Fitness First is actually the cheapest of the London gym franchises – although it didn’t feel like that when I was signing up. My membership cost 47 pounds a month (for a 4 month contract).
Background on Membership:
Fitness First memberships are «tiered» into 4 levels, and each gym corresponds to a particular level. The more money you pay, the more options you have. The membership levels are «Basic», «Blue», «Platinum» and «Black.» (I have a doctorate and it even took me a while to figure the system out). If you go for Basic, you’re locked into your one local gym – no visiting any where else.
For an additional 2 pounds a month you can upgrade to Blue (which is what I did). Blue allows you to access most of the Fitness First gyms outside of Central London (but there are some gyms in Central London you can go to). These gyms tend to be smaller and have less equipment, but they include places like Brixton, Clapham Junction, London Victoria (any where you need if you live in South London).
Platinum gyms are supposed to be bigger and have more facilities – but I didn’t sign up for them, so I wouldn’t know. These gyms are located mostly in the City.
Black gyms are basically large gyms with swimming pools. And you definitely pay for the ability to dive into the pool. I’m not that keen on swimming, so it wasn’t worth the money to me.
Facilities:
The gym itself is decent. It’s the first floor of an old building, but again, this is a Blue Level gym, so it’s not going to be amazing. The main room houses all of the circuit machines, free weights, and cardio equipment. They have a smaller second room for exercise classes – most of the exercise classes are completely free with your membership (so keep that in mind if that’s your thing).
I’ve been at peak times, and I still found that I could still get through my work-​out fairly quickly.
Overall, I’d recommend it if you live in the area – and pay the additional 2 pounds so you can go visit the other gyms.

So i’ve just this gym last week! Not much choice in this area, it’s either the leisure centre which is a dump, or here. But i’m not disappointed in my choice, i’m just shocked on how expensive gyms are here in London! For a 4 month membership, it cost 212 pounds. Ouch! Not that I can’t afford it, but that’s a flight somewhere! Hell, maybe I should save for liposuction and eat some pies to save myself all the trouble I go to in order to keep fit. he he
But all that aside, it really is a nice gym. No swimming pool which is DEVASTATING for me! How can a gym not have a pool! But the showers were what sold me. Their private showers. I have to have privacy when showering. I don’t want to see anyone naked, bending down shaving their legs. Not a pretty sight to see, and I certainly don’t want anyone to see me in that same state.
A big downside for me is that it doesn’t open till 7am. I like to workout before work, and 7am might be cutting it close depending where my new job will be.
The gyms itself is okay. It has all the equipment required. A bit lacking in the weights, but I don’t use any of the fancy equipment. I’m too dumb to figure out how to use most of it anyways.
But it’s a nice and clean gym.