Staff at the reception and some ‘new’ youngsters working at the centre are pathetic and lack people skills. They need to be trained to improve on their client facing skills. They do not know anything... See more
Company replied
Location
Switch locationWoolwich New Road 49, SE18 London, England, GB
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See what reviewers are saying
The facilities are top-notch and the rooms are very spacious. There is plenty of room to accommodate everyone. The pool looks great. The cafe is inciting. Logistically, the centre is perfectly placed... See more
Company replied
Just as the name better I can say its the best gym sauna and leisure centre to be with. The better App has straight forward navigation membership joining process that allowed me join the gym or any ac... See more
Company replied
I found the gym, swimming pool, Pilates class, aqua aerobics, family leisure time and swimming wonderful. The staff have been very helpful and friendly also very supportive. I really enjoy coming to W... See more
Company replied
Company details
- #3 of 4 best companies in Leisure Centre
- #8 of 11 best companies in Fitness centre
- #12 of 19 best companies in Gym
- #3 of 4 best companies in Indoor Swimming Pool
- #2 of 2 best companies in Library
- #5 of 6 best companies in Outdoor Swimming Pool
Written by the company
Welcome to Better! We’re a charitable social enterprise, committed to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. From gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools to lessons and courses for both adults and juniors - plus libraries and children's centres - we've got it all. So whether you’d like to try something new, keep the kids entertained or have a dip in the pool, discover our inclusive range of activities, suitable for all ages and abilities at your local Better centre today.
Contact info
Woolwich New Road 49, SE18, London, England, United Kingdom
3.7
Average
122 reviews
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On Sunday
On Sunday, we went to Woolwich Wave, to the indoor swimming pool with water slides.
As soon as we arrived, we went on the slides and spent some time enjoying them without any issues. Later, after a staff shift change, we went back to use the slides again. There was a young male staff member there who immediately told me to be quiet, saying “Listen!” in a very rude manner.
He would not allow my son to go down the slide and did not explain the reason. He simply kept pointing at a green wristband. We later found out that this wristband related to a swimming test requirement, but at the time nobody explained this to us.
Instead, he started threatening to remove me from the pool and said he would call security. His behaviour was extremely rude, aggressive, and unprofessional. I was simply there with my son to enjoy our day.
After this incident, he appeared to follow me around the pool and repeatedly approached me asking if everything was alright, but in a manner that felt intimidating and threatening rather than helpful.
In addition, there seemed to be no proper control or communication regarding session times, wristbands, or the rules that were supposedly being enforced. The whole experience was very poorly managed.
I then told him that I intended to make a complaint about his behaviour. His response was that he did not care because he was the manager. He stated that any complaints would come to him and that he was the person responsible for the rules and for dealing with complaints.
Overall, the experience was very disappointing and left me and my son feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome.
31 May 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Dear Marisa,
Thank you for your feedback!
Green wristbands are issued to under-16s who pass a swim test, a 25-metre length in the main pool, unassisted and without stopping, in a recognised stroke.
This is required on every visit for any child who wants to swim independently without an adult, or where there are more than two non-swimmers per accompanying adult.
There's also a separate age restriction on the green slide: children must be 8 or over, regardless of the swim test. If both rules came into play at once without being explained clearly, we can see why it felt confusing and frustrating.
We're sorry for how the interaction came across. Whatever the intention, you and your son should have left feeling welcomed, not uncomfortable. I'll be speaking with the team about how we communicate these requirements, so this doesn't happen again.
If you'd like to discuss anything further, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
The facilities are top-notch and the…
The facilities are top-notch and the rooms are very spacious. There is plenty of room to accommodate everyone. The pool looks great. The cafe is inciting. Logistically, the centre is perfectly placed to be near to public transport. Recognition of core customer group looks to have been well-researched. All the customers looked to be very happy with their experience and serious fitness fans seemed to be happy with the gym facilities.
2 June 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Jo,
Thank you so much for your lovely review of Woolwich Waves!
It's brilliant to hear you're enjoying the facilities and that the space feels welcoming and comfortable. We work hard to make sure every visit is a great one, and reviews like yours mean a lot to the whole team.
We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Warm Regards,
Abdus
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi
Thank you for your review.
It is great to see that you are enjoying your experience at the new Woolwich Waves, in the heart of Woolwich!
Kind Regards
Amir
Just as the name better I can say its…
Just as the name better I can say its the best gym sauna and leisure centre to be with. The better App has straight forward navigation membership joining process that allowed me join the gym or any activity i desired without having to go to actual centre, stand on a queue wasting time. It's easy to navigate through the app and the actual centre where activity takes place is clean and has been well organised (planned). Thank you Better
5 March 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Linda
Thank you for your review.
It is great to see that you are enjoying the gym, sauna and leisure facilities at Woolwich Waves and that you are finding the new Better App easy to navigate!
We are also pleased to hear you find the centre clean and well-organised, and we will pass your feedback on!
Kind Regards
Amir
The centre need more basic courses for…
The centre needs more basic courses for people who wish to improve their general fitness.
2 March 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Linda,
Thank you for your review!
We greatly appreciate your feedback regarding the range of courses we offer.
We'd be more than happy to share this with the general team for further review.
Thank you again for your feedback!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Stephen,
Thank you for your lovely review!
We're overjoyed that you find our team very professional and polite.
We also greatly appreciate your 5-star award.
We can't wait to see you again soon!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
The place is very clean more over the…
The place is very clean more over the staff are very professional and respectful the place is very big
24 May 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Hana
Thank you for your review.
We are delighted you found the centre clean, spacious, and our team professional and respectful.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Kind Regards
Amir
Be careful
I was long thinking whether I should add a comment or not, but I had to let the other parents know about the accident we had at this waterpool.
On Saturday, 9 May my daughter went on the green waterslide and hit her head inside the slide which resulted in a cut to her head, 5-7cm long (which has been later fixed at the hospital). This slide is not safe for the children, especially younger, slimmer children (my daughter is 10 yrs old).
What surprised me the most, they took my contact details, filled in the accident form, but then there was no follow up with us to question, how did it happen, do they need to take any actions, double check the inside of the slide, etc. No actions, no investigation, not even to ask which slide it was. Maybe there is a part inside which caused the cut to her head! Nothing, and the slide runs as it was before. For that part I am very disappointed!
9 May 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Milda,
Thank you for your review!
We understand that you left a similar review via Google, which we're currently investigating.
We'll update you shortly regarding this, and we're more than happy to contact you further if needed.
Thank you for your patience!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Sons swimming lessons
Really pleased with my sons swimming Teacher Nicola on a Monday evening. He has now moved up to development!
Fantastic teacher, very helpful!
11 May 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Mrs Smallwood,
Thank you for your incredible review!
We're so happy that you're really pleased with your son's swim teacher, Nicola.
It's amazing to know that she's been very helpful and fantastic.
We're also overjoyed that he's progressed to our development group.
We can't wait to see you again soon!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Dear Abiodun
Thank you for your feedback.
We are delighted to learn that the staff at Woolwich Waves have been helpful and have delivered the high standard of service that we take pride in.
We look forward to welcoming you again soon.
Kind regards
Rachel
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Paul
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying Woolwich Waves Leisure Centre, and that the team have been friendly.
We hope to welcome you back soon.
Kind Regards
Rachel
Classes and structures need to be sorted asap
It’s a stunning space. I’ll give it that!
However I feel hugely let down by the timings of the most popular classes and reduction in some.
Firstly, and this really needs to change. The first classes are at 9am?? What are people working from 8/9am supposed to do? I joined this gym for the classes.
Pilates, should have double the amount. And twice a week at least starting at 6.30/7am.
Zahara and Michaela are great instructors, however I don’t feel the others are as strong at guidance (breathing and movement) and therefore only some of the classes are worth going to.
Barre has been cut to 1/3 of the size and that is by far the hardest class to get into and there’s no more being added to the timetable?
Many small tweaks could really see this at a 4.5/5 but I feel like I’m not getting what I should from the Monthly payments.
I really hope whoever is reading this takes it onboard because it’s being discussed at length amongst members. Easy fixes quick wins.
Response to response:
Definitely appreciate that there have been changes, we are paying more monthly now (which is significant) and with the standard of the establishment there are expectations so my review stands the same. The majority of gyms have classes from 6.30/7am (not virtual)
Thanks for responding!
25 April 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Yasmina
UPDATE: Please see the reply from the management of the facility:
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review.
Since moving from Waterfront to Woolwich Waves, we have grown the fitness class timetable from 55 classes a week to 101, and we are looking to further expand to meet the demand.
On the early morning point, we do have classes before 9am, Bootcamp at 07:15 on several mornings, HIIT at 07:30 on Thursdays, and Group Cycle at 06:30 on Mondays is coming soon, for example. We have taken your point about Pilates specifically, that's a gap we will look into.
On instructor quality, thank you for the kind words about Zahara and Michaela. Feedback on this is genuinely useful for us, so if you'd like to share anything more specific, please do reach out directly and we'll make sure it gets to the right people.
We're actively working to grow and refine the programme, and hope you'll be able to enjoy more of our classes soon.
The experience I had was overwhelming…
The experience I had was overwhelming in a good way it gave me confidence to go to the gym. In past I have signed with for gym membership but but did not have confidence to go. The Equipment is really good and the staff are very helpful. When they are available.
22 April 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Amarjit,
Thank you for sharing your experience!
We’re so pleased that the environment on your visit helped build your confidence in coming to the gym, especially if that’s been a challenge in the past.
It’s also good to know the team have been helpful when available.
We appreciate your feedback on this and will share it with the centre to make sure we’re as accessible and supportive as possible.
We hope to keep seeing you in the gym and continue supporting you on your journey.
Warm regards,
Azaria
Only one flat chest press
Only one flat chest press. I've been waiting for hours to become available. Rude customers
11 April 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Athanasios
Thank you for your review.
We are sorry to hear about the situation at Woolwich Waves regarding the limited number of bench presses available and the rude members.
I can confirm that the squat racks can be used for flat chest presses, and we also have dumbbells available, with weights up to 50 kg, that can be utilised!
Kind Regards
Amir
Very good customer service.
13 April 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Keles
Thank you for your review.
We are very pleased to see that the team at Woolwich Waves are providing good customer service, and if you have any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance!
Kind Regards
Amir
Very good installations
The equipment and installations are brand new, everything is very good and clean.
A lot of things are offered, variety of classes and activities such as badminton, swimming, squash, etc.
9 April 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Flor,
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We are so delighted to hear that you are enjoying Woolwich Waves.
We have also passed on your comments to the centre!
Warm Regards
Azaria
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Lukasz,
Thank you for sharing your review!
You have the option of using a 20p coin or purchasing a token from our team at reception to use the poolside lockers.
We recommend that our customers bring their own padlock for the lockers we have in the gym.
We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused.
Thank you again for your feedback!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Swimming teacher (Federico) is amazing
Swimming teacher (Federico) is amazing, he is very caring and patient. However, the admin team is not organised, to actually find the right class for my son was very difficult, and no one seems to know anything.
30 March 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Mariela,
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We are so delighted to hear that Federico has made such a positive impact with his approach during your son’s swimming lessons.
We also appreciate your feedback regarding the admin team and the difficulties in finding the right class.
Your comments have been passed on to the centre so they can work on improving this.
Warm regards,
Azaria
Great facilities!!
Great facilities!!! I would recommend everyone to try Better facilities in their neighborhood.
29 March 2026
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Olga
Thank you for your review and recommendation!
We are very pleased to see that you are enjoying the new facilities at Woolwich Waves, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
Kind Regards
Amir
Reply from Better - Woolwich Waves
Hi Mariam,
Thank you for your fantastic review!
We are so delighted to hear that you are enjoying your time at Gunnersbury park sports.
We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and are happy that this has been reflected in the service you have received.
We have also passed on your comments to the centre!
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