UC
REVIEW: THE GYM - LONDON ROAD
A modern and affordable gym at the heart of Brighton's London Road!
£20.99 per month
0330 055 3728
The gym on London Road is operated by The Gym brand. And that's what it is - a gym. Nothing more. Nothing less. As it opened in 2015 everything is brand new... the equipment, the decor, the shower facilities, everything! It is currently ranked as number 3 on UNICISE's top gyms. The reason for this is because of its low prices. You can become a fully fledged member for just £20.99 per month. And the catch? None! You don't even have to sign a contract... you pay on a month-to-month basis. So anytime you feel like cancelling your membership you can, which is perfect if you're a skint student. Oh, did we mention that it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Read our in-depth review below...
The Gym: London Road is a large open gym that spreads over two floors. The ground floor consists of cardio equipment - treadmills, cross trainers and rowing machines, and a small stretching area. Downstairs is more of the same plus a well-equipped weights area. If you're a fan of cardio you will not be disappointed. There are plenty of machines to suit your needs so you won't find yourself waiting in peak times. You will also find your less-common cardio machines here, such as stair and hill climbers. All of the machines are brand new (as of 2015) and contain high tech features such as a television. You won't be bored running here!
GYM EQUIPMENT
The weights section is extensive. And boy we mean that. There are over 25 different weights machines that you can use to train all parts of your body. From assisted chest press, to multi-stack stations, to overhead press. You name it they've got it! They even have some machines that we hadn't even heard of - who would have thought there would be so many different ways to train your legs? Well, over at London Road there is!
However, most disappointingly - and something we found very odd considering the extensive range of equipment, is that there are only two squat racks. This means that you might find yourself waiting a while to use them during peak hours. And for those of you who are serious about leg day, we know this could be a real deal breaker so we advise going in the early hours if you want to use one without a massive queue forming behind you.
Despite the amount of machines, the free weights area is relatively small. Don't get us wrong, it's not too small... you will certainly find room to train with dumbbells during peak hours, however you may find that it gets slightly cramped. This shouldn't put you off though as there is certainly enough free weights to go around. There are plenty of benches, press and pull stations and dumbbells. It has everything you need to train each muscle group.
Even though there are various stretching areas, they are all quite small and you will often find yourself waiting to get a place. However, if you don't mind stretching anywhere in the gym then there is always enough space to get some stretches done. Most walls are covered with mirrors so you will be able to see and perfect your form. And as with most gyms, there is a variety of stretching equipment - bouncy balls, foam rollers, bands, and so forth.
EXERCISE CLASSES
Whilst the classes at London Road are very well run, there is only a maximum of four a day, with one a day on weekends. On weekdays, there is one in the morning, one in the afternoon and two in the evening. On weekends the classes are in the afternoon. As a result of this the classes are very limited. Not only do they get busy but if you're desired class is during one of your lectures then there is not much you can do!
That said, the quality of classes is nothing short of exceptional. London road picks
quality of quantity! You will find various different classes to suit your needs here - from bodyweight, to circuits, to HIIT, to core, and so forth! Depsite the limited schedule, there really is something for everyone. Not only that but all the classes are run by professionals with years of experience. You will feel very welcomed here and there is no discimination based on your fitness level. From complete beginner to experienced athelete, everyone is treated the same at London Road.
The only real downside to the classes is that there is no booking system. You just simply turn up and hope that you have arrived early enough to get a space. And if you can't get a space? Then unfortunately you will have to try again next time!
CLICK HERE FOR THE CLASS TIMETABLE
The gym at London Road is currently UNICISE's number 3 gym. And why is that? At £20.99 per month, it is one of the cheapest gyms in Brighton. And as it is paid on a monthly basis (i.e. no contract), you do not have to commit to a long term membership! Also, as London Road is a student-friendly location, you will not have to travel far if you live in the surrounding areas. It is a modern, well-equipped gym that has something for everyone. Cardio? Check. Weights? Check. Classes? Check. Machines? Check. 24 hours, 7 days a week? Check.
However, the reason it is not our highest ranked gym is due to the limited schedule of classes. Even if classes aren't your thing, it's always nice to have the option. The other reason is that it is a fairly small gym and can get very cramped during peak hours. However, we can't moan about that too much as it has been built very well in a very small, metropoliton area. If you're skint, don't care too much about classes and are looking for a well equipped gym then this is the place for you.