Laboratory Spa & Health Clubs Reviews 5

As a member of over three years, I feel it’s important to share my honest experience.

Throughout my time at the club, I have consistently respected policies, conducted myself professionally, and contributed positively to the environment. I have also referred approximately 10–50 new members and, on multiple occasions, stepped in during incidents to help maintain a safe and respectful atmosphere.

Despite this, I was recently accused of something I categorically deny. I made this clear, yet I was told there were “witnesses,” which is simply not true. While I understand the club’s right to make decisions, I cannot ignore how unfair and, at times, discriminatory this situation has felt—especially considering I have witnessed more serious incidents involving other members who were still welcomed back.

Financially, my membership started at £97 per month and increased steadily over time to £137. Despite this, the facilities have frequently fallen below standard. There have been repeated issues such as the sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi not functioning properly, and equipment like the Smith machine being out of service for extended periods—sometimes for an entire month at a time. While the equipment itself is decent, it is noticeably outdated and not consistently maintained.

I remained patient and loyal, hoping for improvements, but unfortunately, that has not been the case.

I respect the club’s final decision, even if I strongly disagree with the basis of it. However, I would advise potential members to carefully consider both the service quality and how long-term members are treated.

I wish the business all the best moving forward and hope to see improvements in both facilities and member relations. As for myself, I will be taking my membership elsewhere.

Sadly over the years the service and value for money, of this once luxury gym, have declined. Yes the gym and cafe have been updated. But the changing rooms and pool area are now dated, dirty and mouldy with flaking paint and cracked tiles. With something always out of order. Be it a blocked toilet, sink or leaking pipe.

No longer can you rely on your forgotten possessions still being there on your return. Items are being stolen from lockers and cars are routinely damaged in the car park.

The style of management has shifted from providing a welcoming, caring oasis of calm to making as much money as possible regardless of the well being of members.

Its major selling point of offering over a hundred classes a week does not highlight the fact that members can only book one class a day. With many classes fully booked on the app but in reality half full.

At £145 per month I really do not feel this gym offers value for money.

I have been using the gym for nearly a year, and I appreciate the improvements made to the gym area following the refurbishment. However, I have concerns regarding the swimming pool, which often appears dirty and is not well-maintained. Additionally, the steam room only occasionally has menthol added.

The tiles in the swimming pool are also quite dirty, with noticeable black marks. Given the high fees charged, I cannot recommend this facility based on the current state of its offerings.

I am absolutely shocked with the level of service I recieved by Tim Kipling the general manager at Mill Hill. He cancelled my membership verbally today on the phone because I made 2 complaints regarding a female club member who he knows for a long time and did not investigate the incident. This lady stood infront of the steamer in the steam room spead her legs in a bikini and start shaking her bits directly infront of me at 2 seperate occasions. I raised 2 complaints whilst the assistant manager Andrew was present at the time of incidents and still I waited over 2 months for Tim to get back to me via email. In the email Tim said he spoke to her husband. I decided to call Tim and ask why he spoke to her husband and did not carryout an investigation.
Did you investigate this with the staff that were present at the time?
Tim said that is private.
Why did you speak to her husband?
Tim said Because I know him for a long time and they just recently got married.
What do I do if this happens again?
Tim said i dont like the way you are speaking to me. Im not going to cancel her membership and your the only one who has complained you have not been a member for long so I will cancel your membership instead. I was told "dont tell me how to do my job".
I asked Tim if i was to do that as a man and stood infront if the steamer and started shaking my bits what would happen? Tim told me clearly if a man was to shake in front of the steamer in the steam room he would be arrested but because it was a a woman that he knows and has been a member longer than me she is ok to do that. Tim told me abruptly that he is cancelling my membership because I'm not happy with his non-existent investigation result. The result was Tim spoke to her husband, who is his friend, and he would ask her not to shake her bits in front of other people. Now I will take this further with the police. Who told me "she is not supposed to do that". Tim also refused to interview his staff and assistant manager, Andrew, who witnessed this incident on 2 separate occasions.
3rd incident happened a few days ago I walked out the steam room to speak to the staff and what a surprise no one was present so I decided to leave the premises.
A case of discrimination on many levels.

The skylight above the pool fell in whilst people were swimming! A huge pane of glass shattered over and around the pool. Apart from the health and safety implications of this, and the numerous other times the pool has been closed due to 'chemical imbalances' children having an 'incident' in the pool etc, there was no offer to reimburse members. I have been a member for more than 20 years, but the response to the resulting 2 week pool closure was to refuse to refund members for the time it was closed despite the fact that we are paying £126 per month to use the pool. There are numerous other issues at this club, not least their attitude to members (mostly seen as a necessary evil) including not being able to sign up for classes because they are always full. You would be better off (if you live in Haringey) paying £30 to join Park Road leisure centre (free if over 65) and have the use of 2 pools (indoor and outdoor), a perfectly adequate gym, a wide range of classes and lovely reception staff. Be very wary if you are joining to use the pool, it is very often closed with no warning and you just turn up and whoops, sorry! Not good enough if you are paying £126 a month, over £1,000 a year.