Fox Hollies Leisure Centre

Negative experience: Hi in my experience not clean floor not any hair dryer working

Negative experience: **AN UNSAFE AND UNHYGIENIC PLACE TO PRACTICE FITNESS AND WELL BEING** Men’s Toilets (upstairs and downstairs) I have recently joined this gym and I am extremely concerned about the hygiene of Fox Hollies Leisure Centre. The male toilets, specifically the ones upstairs next to the gym, have not been cleaned since I started my membership 3 months ago. The toilet bowls have heavy faeces stains stuck to the actual bowl which have not been cleaned nor sanitised in months. The urinals are in worse condition as they have no urinal balls/cakes in them which means they actually smell of stale urine. The urinals have yellow stains indicating that they have not been cleaned or sanitised regularly for a significant period of time. Ironically there is a notice above the sinks which states that the Leisure Centre cleans and disinfects the toilets regularly and that customers should contact them if this is not the case. Next, the sinks have not been cleaned in months and are stained dark brown with grime. The mirrors are dusty and stained with greasy marks. The air freshener in the toilets does not work so the whole room truly reeks of stale urine. As a parent I am extremely troubled that a leisure centre, a place of health, fitness and wellness is so unsanitary. I will be uploading images soon and will also be contacting Birmingham City council and various watchdog associations and of course the local government about these acute health and hygiene issues at a public leisure facility. Staff and Front Reception There is a wide variety of staff from all backgrounds and ages which is really nice to see as Birmingham is a multicultural city. Unfortunately the staff who are at the front reception desk are mostly rude, dismissive and unhelpful. This is certainly true of the more mature members of leisure centre staff. As a customer who brings their entire family to this leisure centre to improve their health and wellbeing, I am exceptionally disappointed that the majority of the staff on the front desk look so unhappy, talk with such disdain, don't say please when asking you to scan and generally really give off a negative air. Personally I really do not like to ask the Fox Hollies Leisure Centre staff questions even though it is part of their job to answer them. Instead I ask other gym goers who are much more positive and significantly more helpful. Parking There are usually plenty of parking spaces, however one major point of concern is that the car park is continually used by driving schools and driving instructors to teach their students parking skills. This has led to my car and that of other leisure centre customers being scratched and severely dented when we return to our vehicles after a fitness class or session at the gym. Also walking around the car park is hazardous as I have nearly been backed into, and run over by learner student drivers doing their maneuvers. The car park belongs to the Fox Hollies Leisure Centre and is only to be used by people who are using the leisure centres’ facilities. There should be a policy in place, including a car park security guard which enforces this. Security I have been witness to a few occasions in the gym where there have been physical instances of assault between specific gym goers. This has made me and many other gym users feel unsafe and indeed frightened to use the gym. I feel that there should be adequate security to protect members of the public at all times, who use the gym and that those who cause arguments, who are abusive or cause physical harm should be banned and the police called to remove them and bring forward charges. All of these above issues are far from being minor in nature and should be addressed as they certainly would not be accepted at any private gym or private health facility in the UK.

Fantastic experience: They have a new refurbished gym which is amazing, they also have a women's only section as well. They have a large swimming pool and the staff are so kind. They also have a large running track and football pitch it's great place to visit.

Fantastic experience: Good gym and decent swimming pool

Positive experience: Visited Barclays bank who now have a presence here on a Monday. Was provided with very good service regarding my deceased mothers account.

Negative experience: Whilst I understand that this centre is the closest to my home address and convenient to get too I believe that management should take a good look and go through members feedback and implement changes and improvement within the centre and the staff members. Upon arrival very rarely is one greeted as either the staff is too busy chatting with each other or just cant be bothered to look up. Secondly when complaining that the door to the ladies gym will not open not one staff member actually got up to look at it and offer a solution to get it to work leaving so many people unable to access the room. The water leaking from studio 1 seems to be a common occurence to which you dont have an eta as to when you will fix it so your customers who still have to pay full price have to navigate between water buckets and water dripping during classes which poses a serious health and safety issue should an injury occur from a fall. Lastly it would have been so amazing if there would be more variety in the classes offered rsther than most of them being always body pump, core blast and body combat. Whilst I appreciate your other centres offer body attack more than once a week as well as step & hit it would be lovely if your centre could as well and incorporate more daytime cardio sessions within your facilities rather than having to spend extra time and petrol on top of the monthly contract to travel elsewhere. Appreciate if you have read this to the end and if you can find solutions to the above.

Fantastic experience: Lots of fun my son loved it great lessons pls try it

Fantastic experience: Tried this gym yesterday, had a good time. Facilities were clean and orderly. Attended a fitness class in the pool, had a good time, and got moving.

Negative experience: New layout is awful and has ruined the gym

Negative experience: Bad vibes, got stared and pointed at by the men in there I can see why they need a women’s only gym it’s vile. It’s also so small and poorly set out.

Negative experience: I’d give it 0 stars but I can’t, they changed the whole layout it’s all cramped it’s absolutely rubbish now u can barely breath n some of the equipment have gone. There was two sides of the gym where you can deadlift n squat now it’s all in 1 absolute joke that is. DONT JOIN THIS CENTRE it was so good before now I’m cancelling n leaving I actually liked this gym aswell

Fantastic experience: Excellent facilities outdoors and indoors

Fantastic experience: A good ans refreshing place to go!! Liked it

Fantastic experience: Great place to keep yourself fit and healthy at reasonable cost.

Negative experience: Worse gym i have ever bin in

Fantastic experience: Played table tennis with friends. Thr table was positioned in more than adequate squash court and gave plenty of moving space Good fun

Fantastic experience: swimming experience is very good, Staff are marvellous as well

Negative experience: Shocking! Been a member for years. Cancel membership apparently sending a letter is not the correct way and when they don't receive payment send threatening e-mails with added charges despite at that point the payment wouldn't have been late. Had the communication their end been dealt with rather than be ignored further payment wouldn't be needed. Local Council in trouble so we'll continue to scam the every day person!!! Machines out of order, filthy, smells Must I continue. No wonder I haven't been going on top of other issues! Lazy staff sitting on admin that they cannot be bothered to deal with. Don't waste your money or time at this hole.

Fantastic experience: Me and my friends play football every Sunday. Good atmosphere nice pitches.

Positive experience: Good service during week days. Weekend staff answering phone were very unhelpful

Negative experience: Tried a few classes, health and safety is a big concern for me in regards to equipment set out so close together.. when asked a few of the members if they could move over slightly, a group was formed and appeared very aggressive! Few other members had the same concerns, apparently they had logged it with management, but nothing was ever done! Tried the evening class to see if it would make any difference... disturbed by a male who constantly screams and shouts throughout the work out.. absolutely disgusting behaviour! Bad experience I'm glad I never committed to this gym... needs to be investigated especially health and safety aspect!

Fantastic experience: 50 lengths before breakfast is the best way to start the day.

Fantastic experience: My little swimmers enjoyed

Fantastic experience: In our school we went every Wednesday and we really enjoyed.

Positive experience: Love the classes here, so far it’s been good. I like how hard they work you in there and are friendly to you if you are a beginner. I also love playing Badminton here with my partner, although there is a lack of air conditioning.

Negative experience: Overpriced now all swimming baths in Birmingham joined forces

Negative experience: Awful courts for badminton. Humid and no good lighting. Do not recommend.

Fantastic experience: I only use the pool which is pretty clean and a judt right temperature, changing rooms well maintained, compared with tudor Grange, this is much nicer

Fantastic experience: Really friendly gym. Great selection of machines and separate weights room. Accessible for wheelchair, has a lift and really friendly, helpful staff. Brad personal trainer is totally knowledgeable and so helpful and encouraging. Swimming facilities excellent. Recommended.

Negative experience: The new manager has really driven the poor rating. Attended this gym for several years, taking my eldest kid swimming here. I have always taken my other child who is autistic with me and he plays on a device that helps keep him calm & stops him becoming overwhelmed from busy environments. The staff have always understood that and been accommodating but recently the new manager told me we could not take the device by poolside. I explained to him the device does not have a camera on it and how it helps my son's behaviour but he was not interested. He told me to give my son something different to entertain him - Parents of SEND kids will know how frustrating this is, as if I have not tried different methods. He then goes ahead and tells me to sit somewhere else. After much back & forth, I was able to take the device with me, but like anyone else, I was left reeling at the blatant ignorance & lack of understanding. Thanks for making me uncomfortable! I get the need to ensure no one is taking photos but this device does not record / take photos. This is meant to be an inclusive gym but it is clear the Manager does not have an understanding of Autism (a very common condition in the UK) and I question what training is provided to people in management at this gym to help make this a welcoming environment for all. I am not expecting anything to come off this but if you have a child with SEND, I doubt this is a place to bring them. I have also in the past called for swimming lessons for my son & was told they could not cater for him.

Positive experience: I had some beautiful customers service. I met a very very helpful young gentleman names Adam. He went above and beyond for me to help accomodate my needs. The pool isn't the best and need more staff like this amazing man, Adam.

Negative experience: Changing room & toilets are always dirty & smelly. The pool is okay.

Positive experience: Not visiting leisure centre but NHS mobile unit in car park

Positive experience: Small little pool which is perfect for the kids learning to swim. Wouldn't recommend it to kids 5 and up though. Had another pool lane swimming as well as a gym and other facilities that I didn't check out.

Positive experience: Not a bad gym. could do with cleaning spot checks, some staff need people skills training and maybe hire a receptionist so someone can answer the bloody phone. The app is absolute tish!!

Fantastic experience: Fab leisure centre, always clean. My son attends Army Cadets here. Carpark free & always spaces

Fantastic experience: Great place great staff everyone is so helpful and professional especially Marian, Erica and Antonio

Fantastic experience: Great! Always clean when we've been there

Fantastic experience: Very family friendly and accessible. Spacious sporting activities centre

Negative experience: A grim experience but cheap to swim. The changing rooms were dirty, the toilets smelt of urine and there were plasters floating around in the pool. I couldn't find a private shower and the only showers that seemed available were open plan next to and in view of the kids pool. It wasn't until I left and spoke to reception that she told me there was a female shower in the building.. Will not be returning!

Fantastic experience: Wow that's a lovely place, they have all kinds of physical activities and sports activities, who ever is visiting surely they will get an interest to join and keep the fitness well.

Fantastic experience: Very impressed with new showers. It was worth to wait

Fantastic experience: Great customer service and manager who showed us around and was extremely helpful and informative.

Fantastic experience: A great place for all kinds of physical activities. Super friendly staff. I highly recommend it

Positive experience: Although a little tired in places , the staff and people who use it are always very friendly , contributing to a great atmosphere to get fit in

Positive experience: Astro pitch is very good well kept an maintained not been inside recently but heard its well cleaned an maintained also

Positive experience: do not agree with shared changing rooms male and female changing together not very clean either

Fantastic experience: Good football pitches, fairly priced

Fantastic experience: top physio - nicest warmhearted woman I have ever met.

Positive experience: Brilliant gym lots of equipment to use never have to wait to use stuff even when busy

Negative experience: I live 5 minutes away but I have to go to Sparkhill because in Fox Hollies no one gives information about swimming for children, I can't schedule a visit to see the place, the lack of will of the staff is something scary, unfortunately this is something that has already It's been happening for a long time and no one has taken action. Sparkhill friendly and attentive staff.

Negative experience: You pay £6 for a 1 hour slot and reception is so badly understaffed. With only 1 person in the queue in front of you asking for a certificate. You have to wait over 10 minutes.

Negative experience: It was a nice quiet swimming, until they turned on irritating music.

Fantastic experience: Had a swimming party here this weekend - fantastic floats and facilities, we all had a great time. The staff were very welcoming and helpful - highly recommended- the kids gave it 10 out of 10!

Negative experience: Absolutely disgusting customer service from Shelly the manager. The leisure centre is in disgusting conditions with very limited amount of showers running as peak times. Long wait and queues to get a shower. Changing rooms are horrible. They don't communicate the terms and conditions effectively to you when joining. Their t&c communicated to me was 1 month calender notice however this isn't the case. Your one month notice has to fall in line with the day your direct debit payment is deducted. They don't pro rata the last payment to reflect the time in which you give notice of cancellation!!!

Fantastic experience: Decent gym, swimming lessons great with good instructors

Positive experience: The sessions at the centre are ok. The staff need more training on how to talk to children and some talk to children like they should know everything. Bit pricey for 30 mins. Just meh.

Negative experience: I have been member for quite a few times, i got it freeze once i was out of the country , i got it cancelled when I didn’t want to use the facility all good no issues, but i think the management has changed the last time when i wanted to cancel after paying for more than a year not been using because of my busy schedule the experience of cancellation was horrible, so rude non professional & just ridiculous I definitely have the correspondence saved some where. I was thinking to rejoin but reminding me the horrible experience i got to join the other gym

Negative experience: Poor service. Running machine has no internet connections and was promised it would be fixed. They have decided not to fit the internet connection. Not happy with the service.

Negative experience: Gym has gone really downhill. I mainly use the running machines but now the internet is not working on them and i can’t listen to the songs on Youtube. Am i expected to workout to the sounds of the machines?! It has now been said that they do not plan on fixing the internet on the machines even though they promised to months ago! Not happy at all

Positive experience: Fox hollies is great for a swum but the showers are rubbish. You can't strip of to have a proper wash as it's visible showers but over all its good.

Negative experience: Very bad management team, they don't respond to phone calls, the website isn't working and they have irrelevant informations that are making customers confused and they dealy you in purpose so you can't cancel your membership. After we got to the front desk the ladies couldn't handle the situation either

Negative experience: I have been coming to this gym since 2015. After Covid, it has gone downhill. Managers have changed over the years and they don’t care. Since the end of July internet has been down on the machines so I haven’t been able to use YouTube on their machines they had promised to get this sorted out a few months ago and it hasn’t happened!! Paying £32 quid a month for what?! 4 running machines aren’t working. Will be cancelling my gym membership. Sad to do this

Fantastic experience: Amazing staff, diverse equipment. The pool is clean and the support staff are lovely and supportive.

Positive experience: Great gym and variety of classes kid friendly sports too Inc swimming and football

Fantastic experience: Nice facility with all that you require for your health and fitness. Also worth it for individuals who have benefits or governments support for discounted memberships. Memberships allow you to use other health centres around Birmingham. Gym, Steam, Sauna, Swimming, Classes, Squash, Tennis, Badminton, Basketball etc.

Positive experience: Just experienced Fox Hollies Leisure Centre and it left a great impression! The attention to detail in facilities stood out - everything well-maintained. Nestled in a lively urban area, a convenient escape. The staff were super friendly, adding a personal touch to my workout session. Interactive classes were a surprise, making exercising enjoyable. Knowing they prioritize safety measures adds to the peace of mind. Highly recommend for fitness enthusiasts and those looking for a vibrant exercise hub.

Fantastic experience: This is the best place to go swimming I love this swimming baths so much

Fantastic experience: I’ve been coming here for swimming lessons before Covid and loved it the swimming instructors are lovely and funny, since I’ve stopped swimming lessons I’ve only js started coming her with my mates and basiclly going whenever we can we have be active cards whitch was quick and easy to set up and now we can go for free swims with my mates, I take around 2-4 mates if I wanna bring other mates we have another 2 who come but pay bc they don’t have t he cards but we keep telling them to do it. So easy the pools nice and warm when u get in, lifeguards are on high watch and rlly good staff. As a young child I rlly like coming here, with all my mates sometimes with just me and my mom. (When she can be bothered ) but overall the changing rooms aren’t normally what u would call packed but have nice working warm showers now and not smelly toilets or changing rooms, although I do think that after people have come out and all wet they should dry the flaws bc when u go to get changed into your swimming costume in the changing rooms or get unchanged the floors can sometimes be very wet and my mate has slipped on then a couple times and if your clothes accidentally land on the floor then there socked and no way to dry them so Yh other then that the place is amazing haven’t gone anywhere else rlly than the swimming pool but everything there looks good the gym overlooks the swimming pool so Mabye after you’ve come to the gym you could go into the swimming pool to refresh and cool of . Anyway Yh rlly good reviews for me x

Fantastic experience: Kids really enjoy swimming here, prices are good and it's always clean

Fantastic experience: I love going to the aqua fit very friendly staff amazing teacher but I'm fed up with the 3 women who talks essentially through the whole class

Fantastic experience: Kyran and Ambreen, the guys at the front (where the reception is)are simply amazing! Every Monday evening, when my group and I visit for squash, they welcome us with warm smiles and genuine enthusiasm. Their professionalism, organization, and friendly attitude make our experience delightful. They truly go above and beyond to ensure we feel valued and appreciated as customers. Fox Hollies is lucky to have them as part of their team! Thank you, Kyran and Ambreen, for your unwavering commitment to providing excellent service. You both are a true asset to Fox Hollies Leisure Centre, and I am more than happy to recommend you to others.

Negative experience: I am a member here and have been for years however after today I am rethinking this. I was at a Aqua Zumba class being run by a Jackie today, I go every week but normally it is done by Natalie. She wss asked by 2 members to turn the music down as it was way too loud and I was also having problems with the loudness as well..Her answer was you have to have the music loud. No concern for us, most of which are of the senior age and have more delicate hearing. I walked out feeling very upset and hurt that we as members are treated with such disregard!

Negative experience: Booked badminton on Monday 2 sessions 40min each. They had this very obnoxious and rude manager kieran or something who stopped our game 10min before time when we tried explaining that we had 10min left he got very rude and agressive because he wanted to go home. The guy was literally up in my friends face being very aggressive. People like that should not be working at leisure centres. I would give 0 rating if I could. Will not be going there again.

Negative experience: Came in on Monday 10th July 2023 had a booking from 8.50pm for 2 sessions finishing at 10.10pm we as a group where removed from the premises 10 minutes earlier than our session time which was 10:10pm..so we've had At least 10 minutes remaining. A stinky B******D claiming to be a manager called KIERAN a guy btw not a girl had been rude and also lied about the time and removed us from the building claiming our session has expired but the timing in the court..is 5/6 minuted ahead but no he removed us was with huffing & puffing seems like he aint happy with the job.. Spoke to the manager named shelly well the GENUINE MANAGER she understood very nice lady did offer a credit note but we decided not to go there anymore due to unwilling to see the " SO CALLED FACE OF THE MANAGER KIERAN WELL PRETEND TO BE MANAGER LOL "

Fantastic experience: Slightly aged, but has everything, great location and lovely staff

Positive experience: Clean and quiet pool. Usually empty in the day times. Pool isn’t that deep, 1.8 m but overall a nice place to swim

Fantastic experience: Probably the best place to swim and the cheapest price around Birmingham for 2 hours you pay 6 pounds very clean too

Fantastic experience: Dawn at reception that dealt with us was wonderful , so kind and helped resolved my queries. I would recommend all family and friends to join the leisure centre due to the great introduction from dawn, As she was very welcoming and full of knowledge

Negative experience: Customer service is worst here, don't give card details, they will keep deducting money and will not reply to inquiry. there is no way you can submit complaint for this leisure centre.

Fantastic experience: Top class receptionist, helped me to choose my membership plan. Thanks to her. Really pleased to her being helpful. Thanks

Negative experience: Average facilities. The courts are hardly maintained and run down. Online bookings and accounts are disgraceful.

Positive experience: I have used this lLeisure Centre many times over many years friendly polite pleasant staff Even during Covid was able to swim with the family very enjoyable

Positive experience: Very good leisure centre. Just some staff panick. They need to relax a little.

Fantastic experience: My 2 kids have swimming lessons here. They like it, some tutors are not great, most are really good. There are 2 squash courts I use regularly, court 1 is okay but court 2 has a plaster peeling away at the front wall. Could do with replastering properly and not just a temporary repair as has been done previously.

Positive experience: Both of my children have had swimming lessons here for years. The teachers are good and my children really enjoy it. The changing rooms are a bit grotty but no worse than any other council ran pool we've visited before. There was actually a member of staff in there cleaning today which is rare

Positive experience: this is where i come to lift weights and try get ripped. it's decent. i only come for the gym. there's a decent amount of machines, treadmills etc. it can get busy and when that happens you finna have to wait. main problem is that the weights section is too small, like only two squat racks and one bench for the bench press. there's also a nice angry guy who works here.

Positive experience: Easy parking. The gym is great. Plenty of kit to exercise on. Nice friendly atmosphere too.

Positive experience: Great staff very helpful, some of the interior is a little dated and needs updating.

Negative experience: They never answer the phones and that's just the start,staff let people stand around taking when your in the lane trying to swim even though I have asked on more than one occasion fothem to ask them to mo

Negative experience: Unfortunately I’ve been unable to book anything online for 3 weeks as the link seems to be broken. I’ve tried to speak to someone in reception the last 3 days and each time I’m transferred to a dead line. I’ve also emailed and heard nothing…… Not great.

Positive experience: One of the best leisure centre in town. Highly recommended. They just need to increase gym size. Swimming pool is best and staff is very friendly

Fantastic experience: It's very good however to many mobile phones allowed in the swimming pool when there should be NONE

Positive experience: I have only used the first floor gym area, the equipment seems fine although a couple of their exercise bikes have been faulty and not repaired now for a couple of weeks, its not a posh gym, its where you go to simply get sweaty and workout so it a fair place to get fit, yes would reccomend

Negative experience: This place is not just going to the dogs its gone beyond that its there, and has been for a long time. Ive used this place for many years and it just gets worse. Try bioking something on the web, or even better try calling. There is no access to this place other than just going there and hoping that what you want to do is available. Its a total shambles.

Positive experience: Went for the football pitches, good nice place and cheap compared to other places .

Negative experience: Swimming facilities are shocking. Ever since i have been here a majority of the cubicles are out of order as they either do not have a door or lock, the shower facilities have now 1 working shower, which is a joke considering the volume of users on a swim lesson. Changing rooms are not clean and the toilets smell like urine everytime walking past. To get hold of a member of staff when calling is non existant. Better off going elsewhere if you can

Negative experience: Try to call the gym they never answer. I went into the gym and called them i watched the phone ring while the fat guy was talking to his friend, i asked him if he was going to answer the phone and he said no. Awful gym with cheap equipment, which breaks every so often, they never fix it also very over priced save your money and find a cheaper gym.

Negative experience: Called at 21:30 to check if my membership was live spoke to a lady named Taylor who was very rude told me they were now closed and couldnt answer any questions. The gym closes at 22:00. Would not recomond this gym as very expensive and basic in comparison to other gyms. All the so called fitness trainers are fat and overweight, gym is also a mess.

Positive experience: I enjoy coming here, it’s not too busy, staff are friendly. The machines are great, although some of them do need to be repaired.