Fitness First UK Reviews 

I joined Fitness First specifically for the Tottenham Court Road branch, which has been a sanctuary for me over the past year. This gym played a crucial role in helping me prioritise my mental health amidst work and personal life.

The pool, sauna, and steam room at Tottenham Court Road were major factors in my decision to join, and I’ve used these facilities weekly as part of my routine. They’ve been integral to my ability to relax and de-stress, offering a peaceful environment where I could unwind and recharge. I even adjusted my lifestyle and invested in a nearby co-working space to align with my gym schedule.

However, I was recently informed via email that the gym is shutting down mid-contract and "moving" to Marylebone. While I understand that this is due to a landlord decision, calling it a "move" feels misleading. The new location will lack the pool and spa facilities that made Tottenham Court Road unique and justified what are, to me, premium membership fees.

When I contacted the membership services team to discuss my options, I was met with an unhelpful attitude of “it is what it is.” Despite explaining how this change has impacted me, my request to exit my contract early without incurring hefty fees was denied. I feel disappointed, upset, and angry that I’ve invested so much money into a gym that is now closing through no fault of my own, yet the company seems indifferent to the impact this has had on members.

I strongly advise others to avoid Fitness First. They lock you into a year-long contract and show no regard for the impact on members when they decide to close a gym.

Edit: it took me going to the CEO to finally have my matter resolved

Please keep in mind this company has no direct number or email for head office!
Absolutely disgusting, I will tell all social media to stay away! Do not get into a contract with this company!
I dislocated my shoulder in one of their gyms that a member of team told me to do, my partner then got cancer and he was under going chemotherapy so we had to isolate for 5 weeks and are still having to do so. I tried to cancel my membership but they refused it.
Im now two months behind on payments due to being on universal credits and having no income apart from that and now they are saying because I'm two months outstanding I have to pay before I can cancel. I'm waiting on legal procedures as I've been in touch with a solicitor and they say I will win and probably get compensation for this as it's impacted my mental health and anxiety.
Please do not use this company.

Wonderful people
Best class in Brixton: Body Combat by Michal

Excellent and responsive service.

Super easy and fast no hassle at all.

Very well equipped and plenty of choice for any workout. Staff seem very helpful. Opening hours could be slightly earlier, many people start work very early and workout at the end of the day is not always an option.

I was able to start my exercise as the same day of my gym purchase.

They rob you of your money, and REFUSE to give it back to you!!! And make any excuse not to give it back !! Ridiculous!! And by the way whatever information their staff tell you IT’S ON YOU and they don’t take ANY responsibility for it !! What kind of company makes such an excuse ?!? Crooks!! Jennifer was super unhelpful and was very patronising !! Shame on the customer service!

Edit: LIARS - you haven’t resolved anything !!!

I recently joined Fitness First in Bangor and I couldn't be happier with my experience so far. I was greeted by friendly staff who made me feel right at home, I tried a few classes and the group classes are not only energising but also a great way to meet people and get out of the house for a bit. I’ve also been able to have PT sessions with a trainer there who has definitely helped to increase my confidence in being in the gym environment. The gym is open from early morning until late evening , making it easy to fit workouts into a busy schedule. Plus, the facilities like clean showers and lockers and changing rooms are great. The gym even has a pool and spa and steam room one of my favourite things to do after a workout now is go for a relaxing swim then finish off in the spa pool before heading home.

I went to the Hammersmith club because I wanted to join and their personal trainer Lewis showed another lady and myself around the club and treated me as if I was invisible the whole time. He spoke only to the white lady asking her what her fitness goals are etc. When I asked him why he was ignoring me he told me he didn't see me there. This man was told to show me around the club and he treated me with utter disdain. If this is how they treat prospective members how would they treat those that are already there?
Very disappointing.

Exceptionally friendly staff. Gym is very clean. Good range of equipment. Sauna and steam room are welcome extras.

Good gym, with friendly staff. Usually clean, but I have had issues with the showers (no hot water).

The classes are great.
Although, the place could be much more cleaner and better maintained; there is mold in the pool on the sides, things look like they are wearing off, during peak hours you can barely get a training spot or machine, the sauna gets very crowded as it’s a community center, staff is kind of nonchalant and feels like you’re bothering them.

Something is broken every time I’ve been in - showers, toilets, machines, swimming pool
Never seen a towel to use there, even when I’ve been at 7am
Equipment is aging, lots of the grips on machines have worn away, only one Smith machine so always have to wait.
Decent range of equipment, I like the pool and sauna, and monthly membership not crazy high which bring it up to 3* for me

Pros:
The gym is spacious and does not feel busy during peek times. Personal trainers are very attentive to your training needs. Great to have a clean sauna and swimming pool.

Cons:
Gym need to be cleaned properly. High level cleaning and thorough cleaning of equipment needed.
The lockers need fixing as there are never enough hangers and the lockers are dirty.
Some equipment needs replacing.

Having recently retired I decided to start going to the gym to shake off 30 years of being behind a desk. I had my induction with Mel who was great and made me feel at ease and giving good advice on what exercises to do

My over all picture of the gym is really good. Friendly staff and clean infrastructure. I do also really enjoy the pool. One thing I don't like is that there are just a few rowing machines, even if they are normally one of the more used machines. This problem gets especially visible, when there is some kind of class going on. At this time all the rowing machines are blocked or the space where they would be is in use. Besides of this I'm really happy and thanks to the whole team.

Staff are always ready to help, clean environment. Good workout music makes it easy to get through a workout.

Gemma, from customer service was very helpful and helped me over come my renewal issues. Great job Gemma :)

I have spent a year at this club but did not renew my membership as the weights area where the weight machines and free weights are, are often crowded. This leads to being continually asked how many sets you have left and waiting to use equipment. To a lesser extent it is also slightly annoying that mainly at peak times one lane is closed for swimming lessons which makes the other lanes crowded.It seems to me that Cottons has plenty of area to expand and provide more weight machine and benches / free weights and I hope they consider doing this in the future. I am now a member of a local gym, where I don't have to wait to use a machine and the annual subscription is considerable cheaper. It doesn't have a swimming pool or towel service but on balance I don't miss that part of the service that much.