We all start Uni with the thinking that we’re going to stay fit and healthy throughout the year; avoiding the dreaded fresher’s 15, telling ourselves we’re going to skip the Golden Horn or TP burger on a night out and join the gym. But with so many different gyms on offer at Exeter, the question is: which is the best gym to join? HCX is here to help!
Name: Riverside Leisure Centre
Pros:
- 100 station gym, 25m swimming pool, 6 court sports hall, group fitness studio, health suite, 2 squash courts and cafe
- Wide range of fitness classes each week
Cons:
- A long walk from campus
- Bad reviews
Price:
- £35.50 per month and £20 joining fee (unlimited use of everything)
- Student deal – £30.50 per month and £20 joining fee
Opening times:
- Monday – Friday 7am – 10pm
- Saturday – 8am – 8pm
- Sunday – 8am – 10pm
Location: If you want a decent run or power walk before your workout you’ll definitely get it going to this gym. A half an hour walk from the University, located on Cowick street just out of the town centre
Reviews:
The review’s aren’t great girls…
‘Shocking gym. By far the worst I’ve ever used in my life’
‘Weights room is cramped…boiling hot…’
‘A really poor experience’
Overall rating: 2/10
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Name: Sweat and Stretch Fitness
Pros:
- A very student friendly gym (owner is an Exeter graduate)
- Has its own power plate studio helping decrease cellulite and making you fitter faster
- Classes welcome people of all abilities
- Cheapest and best value student gym in Exeter
- Invite your friends along then you can receive further discounts
Cons:
- Not the prettiest view to work out to- the high street.
- Closed after 2pm on a Saturday and 2:30pm on a Sunday
Price:
- Student membership includes:
o free gym induction
o personalised programme
o free one-to-one 15-visit programme updates
o free access to exercise classes
- Pay monthly or in full
Opening times:
- Monday to Friday – 7am-9pm
- Saturday – 9:30am – 2pm
- Sunday – 9:30am – 2:30pm
Location: City Centre, 25 minute walk from the centre of campus
Reviews:
‘Located perfectly on Exeter’s bustling high street’
‘Wonderful exerpeince’
‘Wide variety of classes’
‘The best thing since sliced bread!’
Overall rating: 7/10
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Name: Fitness First
Pros:
- Car park if you don’t fancy the long walk there
- Cardio theatre, freestyle area, gym, personal trainers, spin studio
- Classes available
- Enjoy a rest day pampering yourself in the beauty room, hairdresser, steam room or sauna!
- Early and late opening hours
Cons:
- Expensive if paying monthly
- 25 minute walk from campus (not ideal if you haven’t got much time)
Prices:
- £30.95 per month if paying yearly
- £42.95 month by month payment
- Student prices available
Opening times:
- Mon – Fri: 6am – 10pm
- Weekend & Bank Holiday*: 8am – 8pm
Location:
- Large car park so if you don’t fancy wasting all your energy walking to the gym…you can drive there!
- 25 minute walk or 6 minute drive from campus
Reviews:
‘You will be impressed’
‘Large range of cardio equipment and has new life fitness strength equipment’
‘Really nice staff, great value gym memberships aswell. Best in town.’
Overall rating: 7/10
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Name: Quay Toning
Pros:
- Excellent facilities – 10 motortone machines – inch loss, increased muscle tone, improved posture etc.
- Bright, air conditioned gym
- Gives you a full body workout in just half an hour – great if you want a short and intense workout to fit in between busy work schedules
- As well as these machines there are also a range of conventional machines (including power plates)
- Beauty and therapy treatments available – so pamper yourself after a hard workout!
- Helps you design a fitness plan suitable for you and helps you achieve specific goals
- We love the pink machines at HCX!
Cons:
- Half an hour walk from campus but a beautiful walk by the quay if you have time.
- Limited opening hours – closed on a Saturday and closed on a Sunday afternoon
Price:
- Monthly payment plan
- Free guest visit
- £37.00 per month with £20 joining fee
Opening times:
- Monday – Friday 8am-8pm
- Sunday 9am – 2pm
Location: Beautiful location by the Quay – a beautiful 25 minute walk from campus!
Reviews:
‘Friendly and helpful staff’
‘If I could, I would visit the gym everyday!’
Overall rating: 9/10
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Name: Exeter golf and country club
Pros:
- Brand new boutique gym (done up in 2012)
- Full of modern amenities – ipod docks on all machines, digital radios and flat screen TVs
- FitLinxx technology – recognize members on the equipment, and adjust machine settings accordingly
- Luxurious indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, spa area, bars and restaurants.
- Set in beautiful grounds
Cons:
- Not ideal for the student budget, but if you’re looking to get fit MIC style, this is the gym for you
- Not in walking distance of campus – you need a car!
- Very expensive
Price:
- Student discount (18-22 years)
- £36.90 per month with a joining fee of £75
Opening times:
- 6:30am – 10:00pm
Location: 12 minutes by car, but don’t try walking there or you’ll have done your workout by the time you get to the gym (1 hour 15 mins)
Reviews:
‘Your perfect home from home’
Overall rating: 5/10
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Name: David Lloyd gym
Pros:
- Indoor and outdoor tennis courts
- Open plan gym, spinning bike area, free weights area, stretching zone, 3 aerobic studios, personal training, 2 physio rooms
- Indoor and outdoor pool
- Café
- Free car parking
- Variety of membership options
- Early to late opening hours even on a Sunday
Cons:
- Bad reviews
- Expensive
- Very far away from campus – not within walking distance
Price: N/A
Opening times:
- Monday – Friday 6:30am-10:30am
- Saturday – Sunday 7:30am – 10pm
Location: 15 minute drive from university, or 1 hour 30 minute walk
Reviews:
‘Massively overpriced’
‘Never join a david Lloyd gym’
‘Excellent facilities but expensive’
‘One of the best gyms I’ve ever visited’
Overall rating: 5/10
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Name: The Russell Seal Fitness Centre
Pros:
- Brand new equipment, classes, and training plans
- Located right on campus – ideal for freshers living on campus
- Brand new entertainment systems enable users to stay motivated
- Cardio theatre lets students watch large TVs on the walls, whilst other equipment uses touch screen interfaces, internet access, cloud technology and built in televisions
Cons:
- No monthly payment plans
- Expensive
- No swimming pool
- No late opening hours on weekends
Price:
- Standard membership £22/year, gold £240 and platinum £300
Opening times:
- Weekdays – 6:30am – 10pm
- Saturday – 9am – 6pm
- Sunday – 9am – 6pm
Location: Right on Campus!
Reviews:
‘It is a hugely exciting development’
‘Everyone can attain their goals with the best possible support, and the best possible equipment’
Overall rating: 8/10
Picture Credits: www.leisurecentre.com, www.sport.exeter.ac.uk, www.exetermemories.co.uk, www.qype.co.uk, www.sweatandstretch.co.uk, www.exetergcc.co.uk, www.quaytoning.co.uk