FREE GYM #8 - Virgin Active - Strand

Today, I'm proud to say that I'm no longer a Virgin Active Virgin. Despite coming away slightly sore and finishing way too soon, I enjoyed every minute of it and wanted more (innuendo intended).

This gym is certainly a step up in the world, boasting sleek and spacious studio rooms, a clean jacuzzi, an empty18m pool, a sauna, a steam room and a 'HeavenV' spa (I have no idea what this is - but I'm sure it's 'heavenly'.)

After a hard work out, the best way to relax, other than a 'HeavenV' massage, is a quick swim and a stretch in the steam room.

Officially Virgin Active doesn't give out free trials but if you book a 'tour' and ask nicely, they are sure to let you have a go solo.

P.s. Good luck to all the Virgin Active London Triathalon today, hope lot's of money is raised for charity. (remember to click on the adverts below and to the side of this blog to raise money for Water Aid.)

FREE GYM #7 - Fitness First - London Bridge Hotel

Bam, another 'platinum' Fitness First though still not quite sure how much 'value added' platinum status actually gives over the other non-platinum gyms. I mean, this gym looks the same, feels the same, damn it, it must be the same!

Voucher Cloud had given me a five day gym pass instead of the usual three day pass because I've got an old Orange (UK mobile network) sim card (primarily used for the odd Orange Wednesday 241 cinema ticket).

Unfortunately, this Voucher Cloud offer means NOTHING to the gym manager, who begrudgingly gave me a free two day pass instead.*

The gym is certainly centrally located, slotting in just between London Bridge Station and London Bridge Hotel in the shadow of the ever rising Shard [pictured] which, although unfinished, is already London's tallest building. I'm hoping they have incorporated a gym into their tenancy plans, but failing that, climbing up to what will be London's highest public viewing gallery, should be enough exercise for a long time!



*You can report the venue if a
Voucher Cloud offer isn't honoured.

FREE GYM #6 - Fitness First - Angel

If you have a mate who has a 'golden fob', this person may take you into any Fitness First of fancy, without limits, so long as it's on the weekend. This, of course, is there to be taken advantage of.

As usual with Fitness Firsts, the Angel branch looks tatty from the outside, but is shiny and squeaky and clean on the inside. It is the proud owner of 'Platinum' status...which I guess is better than 'non-Platinum' status. As far as I can see, the only 'Platinum' benefit is a complementary towel when you walk in. Can someone help me out here?!

Motivation wise - I would always recommend going with a mate. Competition and bravado does come in useful when getting fit. Unfortunately, I'm not the competitive type and had to be verbally abused and ridiculed before I would try that 4th set of dumbbell squats...but I did it :)

Fitness First - Day 3 - Walworth

This time, I breezed through reception, allowing me to concentrate on the positive sides of Fitness First Walworth.

There is a certain charm about Fitness First gyms. Most of the clientele are ordinary people. One guy came to use the weight machines in a polo shirt and brogues, completely at odds with the flashy nylon and expensive trainers found in most gyms. The rest area contains free newspapers, free coffee and the option to rent a dvd for the night, for free!

The step machine [pictured] amused me greatly. You may pretend to climb the wrong way up a never ending escalator without pissing off London tube commuters coming the opposite way.

FREE GYM #5 - Fitness First 'Fortress' - Walworth

Very exciting to hear that Voucher Cloud is now on android. This nifty little mobile app lets you know about deals wherever you happen to be, allowing me to find my latest three day pass for Fitness First - Walworth.

Despite calling in (in person) three days in advance to book an 8am appointment with a sales person to show me around, not only was he not there when I turned up, but there wasn't even a record of my appointment! I was told to come back later when a sales person was around. Needless to say, after alluding to 'poor customer service', requesting to see the manager, jabbing a finger at a sign saying 'A Warm Welcome to Fitness First London' and a huffy 'you are really wasting my time', I was apologetically ushered through the turnstile and wished a 'good workout'.

It seems that I might have expended more energy trying to get into the gym, than while actually in it....

More on the 'Walworth Fitness First Fortress' next time.

Gym Irony #1

Isn't it ironic, that one goes to the gym to get stronger, yet comes out of the gym weaker? Being finding it painful to walk lately...

FREE GYM #4 - Bankside Health Club - London Bridge

Smugly snuggled in to the underbelly of the giant Blue Fin building, it is obvious that this is no ordinary gym. No, this is a 'health club' with beauty treatments, a boxing ring AND gym.

As I entered, row upon row of sparkling machinery appeared before me. To give you a taster, the running machines didn't just have television screens on the wall in front of them, they had television screens fixed to them. As cool as this might first seem, it is slightly unnerving to be so close to the television and running eye to eye, for instance, with a BBC news reporter. Even the rowing machine had its own TV.

If you want to pay lots of money to watch TV while you exercise - this gym is for you.

Bankside Health Club - download your one day free pass here.