Hitchin Swimming & Fitness Centre

Fantastic experience: This gym has been refurbished with £0.5million spent on it, new equipment and gym areas opening today. Much improved . Wendy the manager so helpful with me as needed advice. X

Negative experience: I’m really disappointed with this gym. There’s a serious lack of staff , when I do see someone, they’re either talking to friends or on their phone, not focusing on cleaning or ensuring things are running properly. The gym is also very understaffed with only a few pieces of equipment available, and people tend to use them for way too long, causing long waits. The cleanliness is terrible. Machines are often dirty, and there’s no one around to clean or maintain them during the day. I expect much better for the price I’m paying. If things don’t improve soon, I’ll be looking for another gym.

Positive experience: I only use the fitness classes at the fitness centre but so far classes have all been great!!

Negative experience: Used to be good until everyone active took over, awful management, filthy facilities, and new ridiculous policies making you feel like a school pupil not a paying customer. Not only this I was overcharged for several months and was refused a refund for these months, the sales manger is very passive aggressive, she gives GP surgery receptionist. I had to contact my bank for a refund instead. Plenty of other much better options in the area, I would avoid at all costs.

Negative experience: Equipment is fine if you can actually get on to use it. Every single time I come here there is always 10 years olds running around taking up machine to muck about. No idea why unattended kids are allowed to run around the gym when PAYING members are trying to work out. Other gym members are clearly annoyed by the fact they have to share a gym with the after school club - it’s unacceptable and clearly everyone agrees!

Negative experience: Used to be perfectly fine but since Everyone Active took over it's getting progressively worse - the organisation is generally pretty poor (sessions being booked and no-one available for them when you turn up etc.) Think they've tried to implement a lot of stupid policies that haven't worked - the app system doesn't seem to be linked up to the actual staff, reception unmanned a lot of the time - a lot of better alternatives about if you don't need to swim all the time.

Negative experience: Poor free weights area. They have three benches, which when they're in use, can't be used on the squat racks or smith machines. Cramped for space, bad layout and generally just a naff gym. Flitwick leisure centre looks a world class facility compared to this train wreck.

Negative experience: Constant refurbishments going on making changing rooms & sauna/steam room unaccessible.

Negative experience: So bad now but it doesn't let me do no stars. NO lunchtime swims as they are closed 1 - 2. No admittance if late 15mins (although the car park used to get very busy and you book for an hour so why can't you swim for the other 45?). I pay a swim anytime membership Beyond bad. Whoever runs this now has NO business acumen at all

Negative experience: Me and my 5 asian friends from luton went there for Racism at its peak they didn’t let us go inside we waited in the queue 20 mins twice but they didn’t allow us They said you are banned for no reason

Negative experience: Used to be a great facility.. until the ironically named "everyone active' took over. With many many ways to discourage folks who just want to turn up and swim like they used to be able to do.

Negative experience: In need of serious reinvestment. Seems pretty run down. Rusty weights, dated look from 2001 or something, lack of privacy in bathrooms. Male showers are like sausage party or jail style, all open area. Kinda weird. Disappointing. Didn’t use pools so unsure about that.

Negative experience: Don't go here unless you're a total gym beginner. So frustrated with Archers Gym. If you go after work it's overcrowded and you won't be able to get on the machines. If you go earlier (4 - 6pm) it's full of kids messing about and you still won't be able to get on the machines. There's simply not enough space or equipment to do any kind of functional workout or stretching. Everyone is always getting in each others way. The cardio machines are frequently out of order and there is about 20 cross trainers taking up space that never get used. There's rarely a trainer around. The staff are friendly but usually can't help solve any problems or answer queries. I had some trouble using a machine and was told I would need to book a personal training session to get help with it! The sauna is unpleasant to go in so I don't. The changing room is basically like a school locker room. What I find particularly annoying is that there seems to be a lot of unused space in and around the building and with a bit of thought and effort these issues I've mentioned could be resolved.

Negative experience: Awful gym barely any machines, low quality machines, 90% of the gym is cardio machines that no one uses, getting a membership wasn’t an option and filled with people doing 10+ sets and people that can’t mind their own business. Don’t bother

Fantastic experience: Excellent gym. Love working out here.

Fantastic experience: A lovely unintimidating atmosphere & great staff.

Fantastic experience: Great staff, gym equipment and overall the best gym I've been to

Negative experience: Worst customer service. Glad I didn't join.

Fantastic experience: Great assessment. Maria really listened.

Fantastic experience: Friendly helpful staff . Was very welcoming on my 1st visit to making me join as a member

Negative experience: Terrible gym, very overcrowded never get to use the machines unless you have time to wait. Full of kids mainly mucking around. Lack of ongoing support from the instructors. When you cancel your membership following there policy. They fail to acknowledge it and send you debt letters, even after you've provided them with proof! Hitchin has many gyms pick another one and avoid this one!

Fantastic experience: Very good place to relax with your Family

Positive experience: Really like this gym club, it's got all the equipment you need and the staff are fantastic. They pay great care and attention to developing your personal training programme and helping you achieve your goals. Class selection is really good. The gym also gives access to the swimming pool facilities, steam room and sauna.

Fantastic experience: I got referred by my doctor for health reasons I am love it I have a grate trainer we made a programme for myself. All the staff are lovely, helpful and they care about you I don't pay the full amount for membership fee but I can still use the swimming pool, any class they have and the gym also the steam room and sauna. The members are friendly as well. There is always someone there to help. I look forward to going to the gym never though I would feel this way.

Negative experience: I went to this gym with an exercise referral form for health conditions & to lose weight. I felt like there wasn't enough support to push me to my weight loss goals. At the start I booked in for an induction, got there and the PT was with someone else, no apology for my time wasted from the receptionist and I had a text to confirm that I had that induction booked in. I came in again and had this induction but received an email that I didn't attend this induction so this gym isn't managed well. I rang to see why I received this email and the lady started coughing down the phone? The receptionists were hit and miss for customer service, the gym facilities, changing rooms, classes & pool were fine but the staff and the way this gym is managed is the disappointment

Negative experience: I have a membership at the gym and swimming pool and im getting fed up with the hygiene of the whole establishment…theres lumps of hair all over the floors in the changing rooms and sauna/steam which should be swept throughout the day i see alot of staff doing absoloutely nothing throughout the day just sitting at the desk on their phone when they could be working to maintain the gym and changing rooms. The changing rooms are extremely dirty even the keys look like they need a clean and they feel greasy, the urinals are constantly leaking and a wet floor sign is the only solution staff have im sorry but i really think you all need to have a meeting to discuss all of this bevause the gym is starting to look run down and im tip toeing through mess I hope this gets seen to otherwise i will be finding another gym to attend which is a shame bevause you have good facilities unfortunately they are just not looked after!

Positive experience: Some machines dont work properly and changing rooms a bit small, but generally pretty good

Fantastic experience: Fantastic gym!!!

Negative experience: It was absolutely shocking

Fantastic experience: A really decent reasonably priced gym and swimming pool complex. Far cheaper than its contemporaries. I rejoined here in 2022 after trugym in stevenage Roaring Meg closed. High quality and still the best value for your dosh than any other place really.

Fantastic experience: Don’t people moan on here with there reviews.. a gyms a gym to me, Does what it says on the tin and it suits me to a tee.. if you dnt like it there’s plenty of other gyms in the area, what do you want jam on it lol.. Staff are polite and friendly. The only thing I would say is the men’s changing rooms dnt arf pen n ink sometimes.. apart from that bobs your uncle ….

Negative experience: The cafe is terrible. Quite often shuts early. Today the fryer is broken, the coffee machine has been broken for weeks. I just got a couple of ice cream lollies which clearly weren't cold enough, when I mentioned it i was told by the manager that they shouldn't be frozen. Poor service

Positive experience: Decent community gym with lots of machines and free weights. Their online services can be a bit confusing so sign up in person for a good deal. The pool is nice, too. Sauna and steam room are not the best I've used but still get the job done.

Fantastic experience: Been a member for over a year. Staff are very friendly and the classes are good too. Lovely pool as well :)

Positive experience: A new member, but made welcome friendly and knowledgeable staff. Good selection of exercises and kept clean with sanitising material made available to keep machines clean after use.

Negative experience: I think overall this gym is not bad but is also not great, there's a lot of annoying things. I go to this gym but I'm already thinking of cancelling. If you want a pool, sauna and gym in one package this might be for you if you don't care much about being hardcore at the gym. There's no place to stretch, the weights area is quite small. The water in the showers can't be regulated, so it's always really hot. It seems the sauna and steam room haven't been working for a long time, and I still pay the same price. Which is annoying. This was one of the reasons why I joined, to use the sauna. Overall I think what it makes me want to leave is definitely the stretching area, there can only be one person there at the time, not even a covid measure. Just it's how it is, too small. The pool outside is nice. That's it.

Positive experience: For all your fitness needs, with friendly approachable staff.

Fantastic experience: Clean changing rooms, friendly staff.

Fantastic experience: So glad to be back. Well done everyone.

Positive experience: Perhaps I am unlucky, but staff rarely seem to pick up the phone if you have a query. Gym wise, Archers suffers from UK council gym syndrome of having a large cardio area and a smaller, condensed weights area. That said, it does have at least 1 of everything you need, mostly. The pulley machines only go up to quite low weights, which is strange. On a positive note, they are taking covid safety and hygiene very seriously, although this can be to the detriment of a fuller workout, as you can only book 45 min slots before being kicked out for 15 mins.

Fantastic experience: Good community gym

Positive experience: Overall, it's a pretty good all rounder. Has all the main equipment you need. I'm new-ish to the gym but the lack of a functional area for more free weights & kettle bells that sort of thing is a bit disappointing. Membership is also quite expensive.

Fantastic experience: A low stress and well run gym. An inviting place even for the older gentleman who is working on being less circular.

Fantastic experience: Full marks to the staff for sanitizing regularly and keeping the gym running under these conditions with Covid

Fantastic experience: Brilliant gym. Staff knowledgeable and friendly

Fantastic experience: Fantastic gym - really personable team and it doesnt feel like going to a "chain" or "branded" gym, even though it is part of a brand. All the team remember each guest and often use first names. Always feel very welcome here and never afraid to ask for help or advice, they clearly thrive on helping people achieve their goals. The classes are also fantastic and very recommended. I have been a member for over 2 years now, and have just made my first visit back since lockdown. Everything was absolutely seamless and so easy from booking through to leaving - the team were really knowledgable and helpful and there was plenty of signage and sanitising equipment and PPE to ensure i felt really comfortable and safe during my workout. Really cannot recommend Archers enough!

Fantastic experience: Staff helpful and always polite.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic gym. I love going the staff are brilliant and friendly. Well worth the money.

Positive experience: A oj

Positive experience: Good size gym, got a lot of machines and not too many mirrors. Could have a bigger section for the weights downstairs though

Positive experience: Great facilities, range of classes and instructors, especially in Studio 2, but let down by fact the timetable gets changed too often to accommodate the Body Transformation programme (extra cost). This makes it very difficult to find a routine of doing the same classes each week. Very frustrating as the facilities are the best in the area in my opinion.

Fantastic experience: Excellent well recommended staff lovely and friendly

Fantastic experience: Excellent facilities but the reception staff could be a bit more smiley!

Fantastic experience: good service,

Fantastic experience: Good gym with friendly staff

Positive experience: Decent gym range, not too busy on Saturday morning and sauna facilities are nice

Fantastic experience: Great equipment, 3 studios and changing, gym not too busy so can get on machines

Positive experience: Excellent gym, friendly staff, excellent trainer.

Fantastic experience: Amazing staff ! Amazing fitness team !

Fantastic experience: Thoroughly enjoyed myself, been back 3 times in a week & looking forward thanks to all the staff & facilities

Fantastic experience: Friendly people and good place for workout

Fantastic experience: Great gym, loads of equipment logically laid out. Nice changing rooms, great range of classes and lovely pool. Support from staff here is amazing, they are very knowledgeable about all things health related and are very encouraging!

Fantastic experience: Not too busy for first trip there in 2019. Highly recommend it.

Fantastic experience: Very good gym

Positive experience: Friendly and enjoyable

Positive experience: Friendly staff good facilities

Positive experience: Perfectly decent gym with a nice vibe to it. Bonus of a few good-sized studios and a swimming pool too

Fantastic experience: Great friendly place, with informative staff

Fantastic experience: Good Pilates class

Fantastic experience: Aquasplash great fun.x

Fantastic experience: Lost 10 kg of fat

Positive experience: Nice staff. The gym is souless. Drives me nuts when a radio is playing and you are trying to get motivated to an advert. Not much space to do your own thing. Does the job.

Positive experience: I use this gym a few times a month as Stevenage Leisure Centre is my main gym. Archers is good, ok size and normally not too busy. Could do with a bigger bench and free weights area as this is normally the busiest area. The equipment is all new and in great condition and the staff are always friendly and helpful. They have a small selection of protein bars too and a good range of drinks. The gym is connected directly to the swimming pool which is really nice.

Fantastic experience: Fab layout helpful staff

Fantastic experience: Great gym, nice staff always happy to help

Positive experience: All good but lady on reception couldn't answer to the questions I asked. Don't get me wrong she was nice but still I end up getting no info about the place. And there is no 1 day pass. You need to use payasyougym to buy 1 day entrance

Positive experience: Could do with more mat space but overall good selection of equipment. Can get very busy and need to queue for machines, particularly in weight section upstairs

Fantastic experience: Good gym friendly staff

Fantastic experience: They have now upgraded all their training machines.

Fantastic experience: Great gym. Very helpful and friendly staff

Fantastic experience: Modern equipment suitable for all. Helpful staff always on hand to support, demonstrate and advise.

Fantastic experience: Lovely modern gym. Attached to the swimming centre so cost of pool is included in membership. The machines are integrated with my wellness so it is easy to integrate all activities. I use garmin swim which gets included too. The staff are very friendly and always helpful. A little more pricy than some of the smaller local gyms but I find the equipment, staff and inclusion of the pool to be more than worth the price. Steam room, sauna and changing rooms are always clean & tidy.

Positive experience: Parking diabolical

Fantastic experience: Very helpful

Positive experience: Ok gym, missing quite a bit on the free weights

Fantastic experience: Well priced gym and swimming pool complex. Great classes and plenty of equipment so not to be waiting.

Positive experience: All you need in a gym

Positive experience: Fantastic facilities at a great price. Staff were friendly and helpful

Fantastic experience: only been a member a short time but i love it the staff are fantastic and friendly

Fantastic experience: A great gym with helpful friendly staff who made me feel welcome and guided me on how to reach my targets in a profesional manner, the best thing was that I didn't feel intimidated at all by the other members which I think can be a lot of people's fear when thinking about joining a gym. I've just taken up my second years membership and Paul was very helpful in doing it.