Reading Gyms
With the colossal boom in 24/7 access, unmanned gyms, cheap membership fees and contracts being thrown out the window, it’s hardly surprising that the gym-going culture has turned epidemic and the ‘Gymmer’ is now a more common creature. More and more people are using their fitness regimes in their resumes as testament to their hardworking and dedicated nature, even going as far as to list personal trainers as references. No wonder, then, that these super cheap super-gyms are springing up like daisies in Reading town centre. But which should you choose?
The Gym, Broad Street Mall, boasts the lowest price (£16.99 per month) for a 24/7 access gym in the town centre, but you may find yourself paying the price when it comes to overall gym experience. Typical clientele are younger in age and often evidently in technique. Whilst trainers at The Gym are very friendly and helpful, there is a distinct lack of equipment (weight lifting chalk, belts, resistance bands, skipping ropes etc), range of classes and floor space. During peak time one gets the impression that memberships have been oversold, and space greatly overestimated. However, if you are on a tight budget, don’t want to sign a contract and are just looking for a basic workout (cardio-heavy perhaps), this is the perfect place for you.
Next up is Buzz Gym, one of the newest gyms in the Reading town centre. Situated on King’s Road, with its own free parking, this gym also has no tie-ins and costs only £19.99 per month. The range of classes is phenomenal for the asking price and Buzz claim to have the largest free weights zone in the area. Their name echoes their ethos and it’s pretty clear that Buzz is a high energy, youth-culture-capturing establishment. You can even attend ‘Club Nights’ where the latest tunes are blasted from a DJ booth across a dimly lit gym, with brightly coloured lights bouncing off the walls. I’m not sure how keen I would be to navigate a treadmill in the dark, but it has proven a popular event for Buzz!
Old-time favourite, Advance gym, has been in the town centre for 8 years: long before all the hype started. Similar to Buzz, Advance also has free parking. At Advance you will be paying more, but you are also getting much more for your money. The gym have a dedicated class studio (something missing at The Gym) and host over 100 classes each week, ranging from Pole Fitness to Kettlebell classes. Not to mention, if you also fancied attending a club night or two, Advance throw in a free Buzz gym membership, as they own both companies. Advance have some impressive connections, and thanks to a partnership with Novotel, are the only gym to offer ‘Swim, Sauna & Steam’ for an extra £15 per month. Advance currently has their normal membership on offer at £25.00 per month, if you sign up for 12 months!
