Fitness First

Negative experience: I only come here to use the steam room and sauna but it always closed

Negative experience: This place is a scam, I have tried to use the steam room and sauna in the past 6 month, any time I have been there were broken and not in use... equipment is not enough for a normal training, there are missing weight, was not even busy and I was struggling to do a simple training. Shower were mostly broken and in a bad sshap. It is shame pay those money for such a place way better the supercheap puregym at this point. I don't see any value to my money

Negative experience: Sauna and steam room have been out of order for over 4 months. No timeline for the issues to be resolved can be given by head office or the gym staff

Negative experience: In desperate need of attention. The female locker room is too hot, lockers are broken, floor is peeling and has holes everywhere. The sauna and steam room have been broken for months with no timeline for a fix (we are paying for facilities you are not providing us with). The pool is too hot and filthy. It’s a shame because it could be so lovely. The staff are friendly but can someone please address the issues???

Negative experience: The lack of decent air conditioning is shocking to me. I used to be a member (pre-pandemic) and it was always warm but never stifling & uncomfortably hot like it is now. That feeling when you walk off the airplane and the warm air hits you, times that by 5 and thats this gym now! Then you walk into the changing rooms and IT GETS EVEN WORSE! That's not what you need when you've just finished a workout and you somehow sweat more when you go to get showered and changed. No obvious ventilation or cool/ fresh air at all like in other underground gyms across London. I went back and bought a 1 day pass. I had a quick workout before work and I understand the aim is to work hard and sweat but this place is on another level. There is 1 large fan in the middle of the workout area pushing air around but that's it. The sauna and steam rooms were out of order and by the sounds of things, they have been for a while with no decent timeline for a fix. Its a shame as this gym used to be soo much better.

Negative experience: Gym falling apart / out of order I am writing to express my deep disappointment and concern regarding the ongoing mismanagement of the Waldorf (Aldwych) gym. I feel compelled to bring to your attention a series of recurring issues that have significantly affected our gym experience over the past months. Moreover, I kindly request compensation for the poor service we have endured as a result. 1) Inadequate pressure in the showers: For a period of over four months, the showers at the gym have consistently had inadequate water pressure, making it virtually impossible to shower properly. This persistent issue, where almost no water flows from the showerheads, has caused great inconvenience and discomfort to the gym members. 2) Towel shortage: Over several weeks, the gym experienced a shortage of towels, forcing members to bring their own from home or be unable to shower at the gym altogether. It took more than two months for the situation to be fully rectified, significantly disrupting our workout routines and hygiene practices. 3) Sauna and Turkish bath out of service: The sauna and Turkish bath facilities have been out of service for more than a month. Despite consulting with the gym team, there has been no estimated date provided for their repair, depriving members of these amenities that are an essential part of their gym experience. 4) Lack of cold water in sinks: For over a month, the sinks at the gym have not provided cold water, leaving only scalding hot water. This poses a significant safety hazard, as gym users have experienced burns due to the excessively high water temperature. It is imperative that this issue be addressed promptly to ensure the well-being of all members. 5) Unusable shower due to lack of maintenance: One of the showers has been rendered unusable for more than five months due to a lack of maintenance. This further limits the already inadequate shower facilities and adds to the overall dissatisfaction and inconvenience experienced by members. 6) Inoperative and broken soap dispenser: In another shower area, the soap dispenser has been inoperative and broken for several months. This lack of attention to basic maintenance diminishes the overall cleanliness and hygiene standards of the gym, leaving members without essential facilities for proper sanitation. 6) Poorly maintained machines: Several machines within the gym are in a state of disrepair and have not been fixed for an extended period. These malfunctioning machines not only compromise the effectiveness of members' workouts but also pose potential safety risks. I have attached an image exemplifying this issue for your reference. 7) Unrepaired locker: There is a locker that has been broken for weeks and has not been repaired. This not only inconveniences the member who has been unable to use it but also reflects a lack of attention to maintaining the facilities in good working order. I have attached an image of the broken locker for your review. 8) Broken weight scale and lack of replacement: The gym's weight scale was broken and has never been replaced. When consulting the reception team, they indicated that it broke and suggested that if we wanted a replacement, we should speak to the administration. This lack of accountability and failure to provide a basic amenity to members further highlights the poor service we have experienced. 8) Broken treadmill: More than a month broken. 9) Flooded wall: more than 3 months without repair. 10) Piece of a wall that falls down. 11) Assault fitness bike broke: more than 2 months.

Fantastic experience: Super well equipped, nice staff & great personal trainers.

Negative experience: The steam room has been out of service for a very long time now without any deadline, no intentions to fix it. Today I came for a good swimming time and I noticed that both the steam room and the sauna are both out of service, the pool temperature was hotter than ever and the corrosion is taking over the swimming pool. The staff are the ones taking the blame when everyone in the UK Operations team is looking aside to the issues across all branches.

Fantastic experience: I used the swimming pool facilities and the pool was really warm & lovely did my normal 70min swim and the some playing about. Steam was extra hot but it is being fixed suna was good, Shower are goog ghd hair dryers. Yes yes yes

Fantastic experience: Fantastic!!!

Positive experience: A pretty small gym compared to the rest of the fitness first gyms around the area, but nice pool. A lot of the female lockers are broken, but really nice staff.

Fantastic experience: Ever turned up to a branch of FitnessFirst and realised it's a case of "Right time, right class, wrong gym? That was me on Friday! Many thanks to Inky who kindly offered that he could run the Trax session for me instead on a 1-2-1 basis as no-one else had booked it. He also flexibly tailored the exercises so I could still workout despite an ongoing injury. Thanks for your patient encouragement, Inky!

Fantastic experience: Great club here. Always good vibes from Jerome, Ali and Cleo!

Fantastic experience: Great gym and energetic trainers! The whole team is very motivating, encouraging, supporting and very professional. I love every classes ( the enthusiasm from the trainers is amazing, they are very attentive, knowledgeable and explain each exercise very well. .. always pushing me to do better, correcting the form, patient and tailoring the exercises to my fitness level! Overall great energy and effective well structured workouts/ classes, always on time and never cancelled! The gym is very well equipped, has very clean facilities, and EXCELLENT customer service!

Negative experience: I really love coming here but it's badly let down by the cleanliness of the pool. This morning there were huge hairballs and plasters floating around and dirt on the bottom of the pool around the edges - it would be great if this could be addressed.

Positive experience: A very nice gym with adequate equipment. The place is clean and not so many people in the evening which is great. The place is a bit small to be honest and not so many equipment available but still okay. There’s pool too but I didn’t try it. It looks fantastic though. Staff are friendly and helpful too.

Fantastic experience: Good spot could do with more boxing equipment in the studio Jerome and Ali were very helpful

Negative experience: Was quite underwhelmed - the gym itself was cool, but the male changing rooms were really dirty; from the flies in the showers, to the brown stains in the lockers, to the abrasive attitude of staff (namely Ali), only visit if you are desperate and wait till you reach home to wash rather than washing with the flies.

Fantastic experience: Amazing gym and friendly staff!!! They keep me motivated and commited to reaching my fitness goals, I highly recommed to join classes.

Fantastic experience: Cleo and Arub are top! :)

Fantastic experience: Been using Fitness First for about a year now, but the Waldorf is on a whole other level. Always clean, cool in the summer, with a great range of equipment whether you're into picking up heavy stuff or... uh... whatever other people do at the gym. The staff are friendly and a great source of positive energy - who needs pre-workout when you have an encouraging smile? I would encourage anyone who needs a pick-me-up (that was a lifting joke) in the Aldwych area to give FF a visit. Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: Very clean gym, everything is well organized Staff is quite supportive and friendly They have a pool, not very big but clean

Fantastic experience: Nice and clean. Good equipment and excellent classes. Such lovely staff too. Thank you Lisa, Ali, George, Jerome, Kam, Raluca and everyone who makes my visit very welcoming.

Fantastic experience: The facilities and staff at Waldorf are great. I always have a great time here.

Fantastic experience: Really nice gym with friendly staff! Big thanks to Kam for showing me around :)

Fantastic experience: Best club! Always nice and clean. Super friendly. Great pool and spa facility’s. Ali always bringing the good vibes!

Fantastic experience: Incredible vibe, friendly and supportive team. Amazing spa area and fitness equipment. 100% Recommend with closed eyes.

Fantastic experience: Staff here are super friendly and attentive - esp Cleo, Ali, Jerome & George. Loved attending classes instructed by them! The facilities are always clean as well. Thank you guys so much for making my gym experience beyond expectation :)!

Fantastic experience: Pleasant and professional staff. Very spacious gym and my training sessions are great!

Fantastic experience: Amazing atmosphere and genuine caring staff. Everyone went out of their way to make sure I had what I needed and I left feeling great!

Fantastic experience: Great pool and staff members here, always a great vibe

Fantastic experience: Staff are always welcoming, music is great, the equipment is great! The vibe and staff are excellent! Would definitely recommend this gym.

Fantastic experience: Great facilities, excellent coaches, fantastic atmosphere!

Fantastic experience: Very friendly staff that always make me feel welcomed every time I visit! The facility itself is great with loads of equipment and space. Definitely would recommend checking this Fitness First branch out!

Fantastic experience: Great facilities, polite and friendly staff, would 100% recommend!

Fantastic experience: Very nice gym and well maintained with latest equipment. The staff is very friendly here and cares about members.

Fantastic experience: Great facilities with a nice pool. Friendly staff especially Ali he always goes above and beyond for the members

Fantastic experience: Very well maintained gym with highly professional staff, especially Ali who always has a smile on !!

Fantastic experience: Great facilities, enjoyed training there. Ali was very helpful.

Fantastic experience: Great gym! It’s not massive and has a boutique feel to it. Evening time the gym is quiet and is a great place to de-stress after work. The pool area looks amazing with the steam room and sauna…

Fantastic experience: As good as always

Fantastic experience: Wouldn’t rate the gym facilities, there isn’t much for someone who’s an avid gym goer / bodybuilder. It’s super quiet in the evenings you pretty much have the place to yourself! Great swimming pool/sauna/ steam room! Staff were friendly

Fantastic experience: Enjoying my time at the Waldorf! Train with Talia often, also fun classes with Jerome and Ali!

Fantastic experience: Great experience in club , love the team ~ had a fun Abs class with Ali

Fantastic experience: Great space to workout in! Shout-out to Ali for the help and guidance, and Jerome for the awesome class. :) Love the pool too!

Negative experience: Terrible staff ,untrained and uninformed, quite embarrassing actually. Fitness first has gone so down hill accross the board .it's the most expensive of all the gyms and the worst! The staff ,the equipment ,the opening and closing times and the prices of drinks ect.. when compared to pure gym ,Nuffield health, better gym ,all the bodybuilding gyms in London it is the worst.....do not waist your money at fitness first GO SOMEWHERE ELSE

Positive experience: I’ve been using the pool here for the last few weeks and can really recommend it. The staff are friendly and the pool is a good size.

Fantastic experience: Came to this gym to use the pool/steam room. Was very pleasantly welcomed and introduced to the venue as it was my first time. I was provided with a free towel and padlock for my visit. The changing rooms were very spacious and very clean. The pool and steam room were also very nice and well kept.

Fantastic experience: Lovely Staff and great customer service!

Fantastic experience: Been coming to this gym for almost a year now and for me this is like a second home. Staff are very accommodating and friendly, willing to help you out as well. Equipment are good and the area is just across where i work so for me that very convenient.

Fantastic experience: Wasn't sure what to expect, but the team where great. Could see everything on the gym floor that I needed.

Fantastic experience: Great place to come and get your daily work out!

Fantastic experience: Amazing gym

Positive experience: Went to a class and thoroughly enjoyed it

Fantastic experience: Very nice!! Gym and pool

Fantastic experience: I used to be a member of this amazing gym for pretty much exactly one year. I just loved training in this gym! The team is amazing, all the PTs and staff members are very supportive and are always there for you if you want to talk about your fitness journey, need some recommendations or have questions regarding nutrition or how to perform an exercise. I miss training in Fitness First Waldorf every single day and can't wait to come back to London to say hi and smash a sesh in the gym! xx

Fantastic experience: James and the team here are always are on hand to help. Ive felt welcome, encouraged and checked up on. Not many clubs offer this personal service. I would highly recommend this branch as its quiet, intimate attentive feel makes it like a second home. Just what you want from your gym club!

Fantastic experience: I joined this gym last year and I have a bit of a record for quitting exercise, but coming to this gym has seriously changed my whole outlook - absolutely love coming here. The staff are very friendly, the class sizes are really small so I always feel like I'm getting a personalised service, plus I feel way more confident and not intimidated as I have done when I've been in larger classes. The manager, James, has been immensely helpful through my entire membership. Always happy to help with a smile on his face and great attitude. It's also got a pool, sauna and steam room. What more could you want!

Fantastic experience: Excellent gym with the best staff in London (particularly Hannah!)

Fantastic experience: Friendly front of house team. Very helpful and knowledgeable. Awesome facilities and equipment ,clean changing rooms. Great to have pool access in Central London.

Negative experience: I tried to cancel my membership several times. Every time, the staff told me they have already done so. However, after that, they still took direct debit from my account months after months. Looks like they just want to get the money from me and never let me cancel my membership.

Fantastic experience: I have remarkable facilities in Waldrof fitness first. The gym is very clean and you can relax and have an excellent time. The staff are very dedicated, kind, helpful and they will guide you into right way of progression. the classes are dynamic and full of entertainment.

Fantastic experience: Nice staff and good amount of equipment, clean

Fantastic experience: The best Gym in London and excellent value for money. Having been a member of gym in London Waldorf for over 5 years, this gym is in a different quality league. I can also use Gym's in other locations. It is well managed, the staff friendly, has more up to date/wider range of equipment. It is motivational with more free classes, app-based work out suggestions. You feel everybody is committed to promoting health and fitness, and being there to help whenever needed.

Fantastic experience: I have been a customer for some time and enjoyed the friendly and helpful staff. I have a trainer who has been with me for a year and excellent at sorting out various issues. I have also have done a solid amount of classes and find them really interesting and have been therapeutic for me. After the pandemic when the gym opened again, l have found the gym has really got to grips with the cleanliness together with a facidious attention to detail which has made my many visits really enjoyable, with special thanks to the excellent and friendly staff. I feel enhance and rejuvenated with my experience there now. It is great to be back and thanks to all the staff for making me for get about the pandemic.

Fantastic experience: Amazing gym, with super friendly and encouraging staff. The General Manager goes above and beyond to make every individual member feel comfortable and is extremely supportive with their fitness journey. The reception team always brings a smile to my face, even on a bad day! The fitness team are actively working to keep the gym clean and safe in these times. Happy to be back! :)

Positive experience: I've been using DW Fitness First Waldorf for many years and I love the facilities, its convenience and for me the friendliness of the staff. I moved offices 3 years ago but I continue to go back to gym because I enjoy my training and classes at that gym. I always feel valued as a customer. Jill Flagg-Young

Fantastic experience: Beautiful decor, friendly staff

Fantastic experience: This is a great gym, much larger than you’d expect, great range of equipment and very clean (super important at the moment especially!) The staff are friendly and professional, the changing rooms are spacious and the classes are fun. I really recommend it.

Fantastic experience: Love this gym! I usually visit just after 1.30 or 6.30 PM and personally have never had a problem with the gym floor and machines being too busy. The changing rooms and everything else are always clean and tidy. The pool is amazing and generally the perfect temperature. Talia's aqua exercise class is so awesome and she's super helpful and caring (always conscious of our health issues). The manager James has also always been attentive and incredibly helpful. 5* customer service always!

Fantastic experience: I enjoyed my experience. The facility was clean and smelled good. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and more than willing to be supportive. I trained with Davide a group and personally. He’s an exceptional talent and was absolutely enjoyable to work with. I walked away feeling great from the experience and looking forward to going back.

Positive experience: Nice gym

Negative experience: Useless staff on front reception. Changing room dirty. Pool not very advertising.

Fantastic experience: best gym within covent garden, great classes, fresh new look, best gym for students at a really reasonable price. I get two complimentary personal training sessions and I will get my money back

Negative experience: The pool is small and freezing cold and for last three weeks they were promising to fix it. The classes are always fully booked and not much of a variety. The gym is too small, smelly and with no air and sounds system which doesn't work properly. The location is good.

Negative experience: I went there because the pool on the pictures looked great and I really wanted to swim. Even after reading few reviews I decided to give it a go, I usually go to Cottons so I only wanted to see another Fitness First gym. In reality it’s full of pee (it’s a gym for adults but many kids were there,why?). The water was terrible, the kids were jumping into the pool splashing everyone, it’s small so it can’t fit more than 5-6 people. I don’t recommend going there... worst experience ever.

Fantastic experience: great gym, staff are polite and friendly. The pool is heated steam and sauna facilities are good

Negative experience: Horrible

Negative experience: The worst service I have ever received

Fantastic experience: Great gym in central London complete with small swimming pool in a lovely swimming hall. Cantor fault for the price.

Fantastic experience: Well located gym with good equipment, pool and sauna

Positive experience: Good gym

Fantastic experience: Great gym & great customer services by staffs :)

Negative experience: In theory, this is supposed to be a very good gym: it has cardio and strength training areas, a pool and steam/ sauna room, a variety of classes. But the reality is not quite there. The place is unbelievably crowded at rush hour and pretty full at all other times. The pool is teeny and it is shared with the hotel guests so you will encounter children dive bombing in the pool, couples cuddling, groups hogging the spa for hours! Classes are usually fully booked well in advance, so no attending classes on a whim I'm afraid. Staff is always friendly but I have to agree with some other reviews that the team is not actually very helpful. For example, they cancelled towel service once and never told anyone. I understand it was a temporary thing, but still I got to the gym that day and couldn't really swim as I would have no way of drying myself and go back to work. Overall, I don't mind this gym, but wouldn't recommend it to other or renew my membership once it ends.

Negative experience: The gym is ok, a bit small but it is in central London. What I was very disappointed with was when I tried to cancel on 2nd August for end of the month and they said that I needed to cancel the month before (30th July) to cancel for end of August. As such I have been conned out of £80 and essentially giving 8 week notice. They were incredibly rude on the phone about this issue and in the branch they claimed they couldn't do anything. For a premium gym I would expect much better customer service and I certainly won't go back with this gym brand. They also mis sold me there gwr package but as I got that all over email they had no choice but to refund me the money.

Negative experience: They put me on hold for 2 days . Wanted to cancel my membership but again tied us up in contract whole their staff never mention when they join us in . No support . They just want you to join some how and make you stuck with their 3 pages term and condition .

Negative experience: verry bad staff specially the uncle from the changing room i hate this place everyone always angry

Positive experience: Standard

Fantastic experience: Exellent sauna & swimming pool

Negative experience: Terrible service and equipment.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful gym with incredible and modern facilities. The staff are so lovely and always go that extra mile to help you and answer any questions you have. This is the best gym I have ever visited and I couldn’t be happier with it, I will be a member for many years to come. Highly recommend!

Negative experience: I received shockingly bad service during my time there. I would be mortified if a company I owned or even worked for was so terrible towards their customers/ clients, but they really don't care. I transitioned to them after the change over from LA fitness, as other London branches had changed to Puregym who I found a little basic, not having pool and sauna. Anyway I collected my card shortly after they changed over, and I had to take a few months off from working out as I have fibromyalgia flare ups (something they wouldn't understand at this gym in a million years) due to a clerical error on their end, one payment didn't come out on time, got about 5 angry calls from them before it was sorted out. When I was feeling better I went back, headphones in really excited to start working out, tapped my card and was shouted at by the guy on reception "I'm trying to talk to you " he had seen a payment fail note on my account, then seeing that it was an old one said that he'd sort it out (no apology) I went again the following day, and it happened again, I asked why and they said they'll "let me through time and try to sort out the problem " on my way out I asked the manager what was going on and she checked my account and said I hadn't paid last month which I knew wasn't true as I'd seen it on my account, I was saying I definitely had paid, nastily rudely and loudly, she kept saying that I hadn't, until I opened my bank statement on my phone which proved I had paid. Fed up at this point, I gave notice maybe the following day. Again a clerical error on their end meant that the payment didn't go through, and I got angry calls from the people that worked there saying I was being taken to court and that I would now have to make the final payment in person, received another angry call from them in the meantime as I hadn't been able to go quickly enough. I didn't even use the last month at all because I didn't want to see their nasty staff again. Such a shame as well because the gym is actually all right, and the classes were brilliant (if overpacked) but I've never encountered such rude and unapologetic staff in all my life, they were collectively so unprofessional not just in branch but on the phone. I really wouldn't recommend them at all.

Fantastic experience: Nice gym with new equipment. Staff is friendly, dressrooms are aleays very clean and looked after

Fantastic experience: Brand new gym!! Just opened today. Great kit, well thought out, very modern look, but retaining warm charm. Well done team!!

Negative experience: DO NOT JOIN THIS GYM (Unless you plan to stay in the same area, use the same branch until the day you die) They are nothing but modern day crooks! Make it impossible for you to leave without paying the substantial fine! I was told it would be easy for me to leave the gym after only ‘temporarily’ joining in a transitional period! I have lived in London since I was 17 yrs old and happened to come back and spend 4 months with my parents before heading back to London! After providing them with work contracts, tenancy agreements, etc to prove that I was no longer able to attend the gym and living back in London (where there are no DW gyms for obvious reasons) they still made me pay for 3 months upfront, clearly knowing that I was living 270 miles alway! There response was disgusting and threatening! I am in the process of reporting this disgusting company to the ombudsman and will take this further! In the meantime I suggest you DO NOT join this gym unless you are prepaired to be highly raped for your hard earnt money!

Positive experience: Great little gym, all the staff members and PTs are so friendly and helpful! The classes are great and I've never struggled with finding space/equipment. Some parts of it are a bit tired but it's a pretty decent price for central London.

Fantastic experience: Great gym with friendly staff. Deceptively large inside and there is a pool here too. Classes are run during the week.

Negative experience: they should allow under 18's in if accompanied by an adult... or provide a reason for not allowing me in

Negative experience: Service is not good, Wi-Fi is not working, shower are a bit gross and when they are nice it's just to seel you private lessons. But price is ok

Negative experience: One of the worst decisions I have ever made. It is expensive and really small (impossible to work out during rush hours). Women changing rooms smell like sewage. But the worst part of it is the management. Really unprofessional. For example, yesterday they had a flood and instead of sending an email to all their members informing that the gym was going to be closed, they just let a paper notice outside. They sent an email at mid-day informing about the situation and that they would keep us posted. They never sent another email and today I found out the gym was open (but they have not informed anyone). I wrote a complain about the situation and they never got back to me. My college wrote a complaint and received a telephone call. The woman told him there was nothing they could have done and called him liar as she said no one else had made a complain.