Leisure Centre Gym refurb

[NewWave]

I Just wondered who has been and used the gym since the refurb?

And what your feedback and impressions are.

[sebastiondangerfield]

Still a dump.

[the_hermit]

I went on Xmas Eve and thought it was pretty good.  Water fountains not plumbed in yet.  Despite there being ample space there's only one level bench press station (which is admittedly the same as before but seems a shame not to use the space to duplicate a popular piece of equipment).

The bench press stations also only now have one (adjustable) hook so it's more difficult to bail out without a spotter.

[Brian up the hill]

The refurb has made it brighter and smarter with greater emphasis on weights and other exercise. Seems that cardio is restricted to the quarter of the floor area as you enter. This seems fair enough as I rarely saw more than half the cardio equipment being used at any one time. I have been told that some cardio will be on the newly created gallery space overlooking the main gym floor. Free weights area looks bigger and there is a good range of resistance machines offering to exercise most muscle groups. There are some new types such as a squat machine, whereas core machines for abs and back seem to have disappeared. I have been told that some machines have yet to arrive. Overall, it’s a great improvement. 
To say it’s still a dump is unfair and untrue. 
The alternative would be to traipse over to Beckenham where David Lloyd will charge you the same for two months’s membership as you would pay for a year at DLC. 

[NewWave]

I've been a member for many years (through 3 different organisations running it..) and a regular attendee of the gym though not the classes.

I'm REALLY REALLY disapointed that it now feels very much geared toward weights and strength training with the cardio machines cut down considerably in number (only about 5 or 6 X trainers..I had to wait to use one) running machines halved in number and a lot of wasted space.

Also I thought the actual cardio machine I did use was pretty rubbish (It felt like something from Argos) and not by one of the well known gym equipment brands that I've used in other gyms..also no screen display settings so you can 'run on a beach' etc. And the Wifi still was'nt linked to machines so no youtube netflix etc.

I felt the gym seemed less inclusive the ab crunch has gone, seated row gone, the seated machine you make cycling movements with your arms, gone...these are all machines I see older members using, I did'nt notice if the recumbent bikes had gone or the two step machines, the ski-movement x trainers of which there were 2 have also gone

My general impression was that these was a distinct scarcity of weight based machines and the focus was very much on free weights with this taking up the majority of the space.

BECAUSE ITS A COUNCIL RUN GYM SURELY WITH THE AGING POPULATION AND OBESITY CRISIS THE EQUIPMENT IN SUCH A LARGE FLOOR SPACE SHOULD OF A RANGE THAT CAN BE USED BY OLDER AND LESS FIT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY?!

Kings hospital used to bring groups to the gym to use the use the cardio equipment-I don't know what they'll use now?

I raised concerns about the majority of the space being used for free weights when I saw the plans and asked for member feedback prior to the refurb, I must have been in the minority I guess.

I was also suprised that the changing area is still the same and looking pretty tired.

I felt that with all this new equipment they should have had lots of visible staff on the floor helping people get to understand settings and so forth.

I wish Everyone active still ran the gym..in my experience they were the best.

But having really looked forward to the reopening I found it a real let down☹️

In a nutshell if you want a muscle gym its great and I understand there will soon be a boxing area-I was not told that there would be more cardio machines coming.

Edited January 1 by NewWave
spelling

[claresy]

Anyone know what's happening with the pool? It was meant to reopen today and I have a swim booked. I've had no notification that it's cancelled and there are no updates on the app but the website says the pool's closed. The phone line is dead when I try to call. 

[Dulwichway]

1 hour ago, claresy said:

Anyone know what's happening with the pool? It was meant to reopen today and I have a swim booked. 

No! but hopefully we will get an update soon.

[Del in ED]

Was there any attempt by the gym/provider to harvest requirements/opinions/preferences from the gym-using cohort before the detail of these works were commissioned, to ensure they're a pertinent fit for the gym-using community at that location?

[Nigello]

The hand-powered cycle is no longer there, which is a big omission because it is a great machine for those with limited leg/foot power. Camberwell also got rid of its hand-bicycle. 
I have written to the management via the email address on the app/website and CCd my councillor (well, the one of the two who replies). I ask that you do the same - it’s bad when a refurbishment actually turns out worse for some customers! 

[the_hermit]

Free weights (not necessarily heavy ones) is one of the activities older people most benefit from.  They help stop muscle deterioration and promote stability in a way cardio- and weight-based-machines do not.  It is a common misconception that free weights = bodybuilders.

There isn't really any substitute for free weights whereas e.g. instead of using a treadmill you can go for a walk or a run or attend a class (and it's much more environmentally friendly!)

 

 

[NewWave]

7 hours ago, the_hermit said:

Free weights (not necessarily heavy ones) is one of the activities older people most benefit from.  They help stop muscle deterioration and promote stability in a way cardio- and weight-based-machines do not.  It is a common misconception that free weights = bodybuilders.

There isn't really any substitute for free weights whereas e.g. instead of using a treadmill you can go for a walk or a run or attend a class (and it's much more environmentally friendly!)

 

 

 

Firstly in response to @Del in ED there was an email that got sent to me with plans attached of the preposed layout and they asked for opinions/feedback-I gave mine and my concerns..I dont know how many others recieved or responded to the email, from what I see the decision had been made regardless of feedback.

@the_hermit In response to your comments there are very few lowish weight free weights and the weighted bolster like bags that I used to lift at 5 kgs now consist of 3 X 15kgs and 3X 25kgs nothing lighter than 15kgs.

as regards walking I walk 6miles + every day at work and walking outside of work is a form of relaxation for me.

Speaking purely for myself but I'm probably not alone in this I have issues with running due to past ankle injuries and I do gather from my orrthopaedic (sp?) guy at the hospital that running on a treadmil is actually better as regards posible impact injuries than running on tarmac.

Not all classes are at convenient times (I dont get home from work until gone 7pm not everyone works locally or from home) and besides..I find when I do try and book a class they almost always have a waitlist with places only becoming available a few hours before..not enough time for me to go home get my kit and get to the gym after work..

again I'm probably not alone in not being able to just 'book into a class'.

Finally I'm in my early 60's and have been a regular gym goer for over 25years...Dulwich leisure centre has served my needs and those of many others who like myself have had to undergo major surgery and injuries for at yeast 10of those years by having enough weight machines and cardio machines to build back strength with less risk of causing further damage.

Now it feels much more like theres a bias towards heavier weights and boxing -a lot more 'macho' and less inclusive.

I used to see a lot of older less fit members than myself there- I don't feel that the needs of those members of the local community have been taken into account with the new layout and the scrapping of various machines.

Not to mention the new equipment feels very cheaply constructed and the 'chin and dip' machine had already snapped and broken when I visited just a few days into opening.

[the_hermit]

I am with you on the cheap feel to the new equipment.  The older (but higher quality) weights equipment was shabby looking.  They could have just refurbed the padding and it would have lasted indefinitely at lower financial and environmental cost.

Also with you if you feel there isn't enough low weight equipment.

(I am no spring chicken myself)

[Huggers]

I’ve men trying to ring reception over the last two days and permanently engaged.

[claresy]

The phones have been down but think they're OK now. I don't know why they don't alert people on the website/app when this happens.

[Nigello]

No reply to my complaint about there being no hand cycle at the new gym, nor at Camberwell. I have resent it. 
If you see fit, please send your complaint about this omission to, requesting a reply: 

 

[email protected]

[Katherty]

I have tried to call them a few times this week, but each time it's cut off after a few rings, saying the line is 'busy'. 

[PenLove]

I've been going to the gym for many years. I was initially disappointed with the refurb when I first arrived back, as it did not have a lot of the previous equipment I used and it seemed under-stocked in terms of machinery.

However, upon returning a second time I have now seen that have added more machinery to the main floor.

I'm not expecting them to bring back the machines I previously used, but there are some useful additions, such as the vertical climbing machine and there are now 3 stair-masters instead of 2. The weighted hack squat machine and hip thrust machine are plus points as well.

Provided it doesn't get overcrowded (like it was when I first arrived) I think it can still be a good place to work out.

[paulu197]

it's so good, the new refurbishment. I couldn't believe how new and fresh everything looked. The treadmills are amazing and it's just nice to get new stuff!!! Well done Southwark

[Nigello]

On 10/01/2025 at 09:53, Nigello said:

No reply to my complaint about there being no hand cycle at the new gym, nor at Camberwell. I have resent it. 
If you see fit, please send your complaint about this omission to, requesting a reply: 

 

[email protected]

The manager replied and said the hand cycle will be replaced shortly, so that’s good news and well received. 

[whisteria]

I’m super happy that we have an easy to access, relatively inexpensive gym on our doorstep. Yes, some things have gone that I loved to use, but if you take a bit of time and are game to try new things, it’s got a lot to offer. At the end of the month we will have an accompanying app that shows you how to use what they have safely a measure progress. I’ve seen the same people as before of all ages and abilities. Don’t write it off out of hand. It’s an amazing resource that many other boroughs would be proud to have 

[PenLove]

On 14/01/2025 at 21:58, Nigello said:

The manager replied and said the hand cycle will be replaced shortly, so that’s good news and well received. 

The new hand cycle has arrived, its in the alcove next to the gym mats facing the wall.

[Chrisam91]

Not sure it’s much of an improvement in terms of equipment. The new treadmills don’t have the same basic functionality as the old ones. Seems a downgrade. The place does look a little more modern though.

[NewWave]

1 hour ago, Chrisam91 said:

Not sure it’s much of an improvement in terms of equipment. The new treadmills don’t have the same basic functionality as the old ones. Seems a downgrade. The place does look a little more modern though.

I agree that the machines are nowhere near as good as the old ones.

The elipical machines well are a bit rubbish-there is a lot more equpment but the quality and features on the cardio machines feel more for home use than a public gym.

The weight machines are nowhere near as good as technogym ones which were there previously.

 

[angehouse]

I have been using the leisure center for many years now but this year since I joined in January joining a class is impossible. I am not able to book any class. One month  of trying everyday online but always on a waiting list and when a spot is free it is always late.  I called yesterday the center expressing my frustration and their reply is that it  is just busy this time of the year. It cannot be only that. I have booked classes in the past and it was always fine. They told me the booking system opens at 22 to book one week in advance but no chances there too.

i can only see that  classes in two weeks time are almost full already. What chances I have to book? None 
their response is that some people have special membership so they can book two weeks in advance. 
 

I am paying without using the center. 
 

I would like to cancel my membership but they will not give me a refund as I have an annual membership. 
 

Any advice on what to do? 
Thank you 
 

 

 

[NewWave]

@angehouse  I've found the same issue..its been the same for over 2 years now...every class I want to attend has a waitlist even 10days in advance and then a few hours before spaces magically become available by which point I've made other plans or do'nt have my gym stuff to hand and I'm not in the area (I don'nt lead a life where I can just sit at home and amble down to the gym as and when..theres only a few classes I can get to on my days off work) Its very very annoying.

I'm sure its the same people that book well in advance then cancel..if only they could monitor the people who do this repeatedly and bar them from advance bookings for 6 weeks or something to teach them a lesson.

For this reason I have'nt been to any classes at the gym for well over a year and just use the gym.

Its frustrating.