David Lloyd

So last week a friend of mine suggested to join her for a swim and some workout at her gym (she had a guest pass for me). I am not the biggest fan of working out at all but I do like swimming and with the gorgeous weather in Manchester at the minute that sounded like a great idea! To be honest what I was expecting was a enclosed gym with an indoor pool (like most gyms in the city) but guess what I was wrong and HOW!
The minute she drove inside David Lloyd, I knew it was not going to be the usual gym because the entrance itself was grand. We walked in and it seemed like I am walking inside a 5 star hotel or more like the Première Clubs back in India (India has some amazing club houses with golf courses, swimming pool. tennis court which were built by the majesty ofcourse). Right at the entrance there is a posh hair and nail Salon with a tanning bed too — so even if you wet your hair and have to go for a party straight after you know you are safe. Inside there was a posh café, restaurant and kids care area besides a big Tennis Court, Cricket Pitch, Squash and other private rooms. There is also an indoor and an outdoor pool (hello sunshine), we obviously chose to sun bathe at the latter while I had my prawn salad and peach juice. I also bumped into a friend of mine who is a coach for a cricket team and he told me that a lot of the sports folks in Manchester usually workout here. Everything inside was extremely prim and proper and you definitely feel like royalty when you are inside. The gym itself was massive with almost every equipment under the sun, my only criticism would be its not very well lit and there aren’t enough mirrors. You definitely won’t come across any creepy gym stalker here because the people here are too posh for that (which in a way can be good, think about it).
Verdict: If I had to ever get membership in a Gym it would be this one because its not just a Gym but a lifestyle!

David Lloyd is the 5 star hotel of the gym world. It is all about appearances and the polished wooden parquet flooring and immaculate squash courts look like they will not tolerate their patrons in anything but designer gym gear and the latest trainer. Well, thats me shot then– I am quite happy pumping some iron in my velour tracksuit bottoms from Primark that have seen better days and my faded Superman vest top, but this will not do at David Lloyd, oh no!
The receptionists here are a little scary, they remind me of my Home Economics teacher at school who would take no-​nonsense from anybody and gym members give audible sighs of relief when they get past these formidable gatekeepers. The gym itself is gorgeous and the facilities are unparalleled. There are 8 indoor and 4 outdoor tennis courts, 4 badminton courts and 3 squash courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a kids’ splash pool. The gym is large and full with the latest gym equipment but I find its open plan layout slightly intimidating. You almost feel like a dressage pony on display as you battle the stepper but you can distract yourself with the tv screens dotted around. The wet facilities are superb and I have to admit, I will work out for 30 mins but spend three times as long in the lovely steam room, sauna and whirlpool jacuzzi.
David Lloyd is all about the changing rooms; totally gorgeous and clean, they have hairdryers and you don’t have to risk electrocution or embarrassment by sticking your head underneath an awkward hand dryer. This is not just a gym, it is a day out! The restaurant is great and you can undo all your good work and have a tasty sandwich or larger lunch if you fancy. There is an internet café and a tv lounge to relax in, and a hair and beauty salon– this is a posh home away from home. There is a great crèche with lovely staff to mind your cherubs (for a fee of course) and I would totally endorse it.
There has to be a but though hasn’t there? The «but» here is the membership fee– it is a pricey deal here and I will not lie that you can go abroad for the same amount as the gym’s annual fee. My quote for full membership was nearly £900 a year and although there are several levels of membership packages– a useful 3 month flexible membership has caught my eye– you are over paying for the privilege of this place. Posers paradise, stunning sauna, cracking changing rooms and amazing atmosphere is David Lloyd in a nutshell.