3 /5 Nina Jesih: have been a member of Nuffield gym for just over eight years, since it transitioned from Virgin Active. For a period of time, I really enjoyed being a member.
My original home club was the Crawley city centre branch, and that gym was truly brilliant. It had fantastic classes, the gym floor was never overcrowded, everything was always clean, and the atmosphere was incredibly friendly. Unfortunately, when it closed a couple of years ago, I had no choice but to transfer my membership to Nuffield Crabbet Park.
From the start, my membership fee nearly doubled (to over £100 per month), yet the value doesn’t match the cost. To put this into perspective, some London gyms — many of which feel like works of art — cost only about £15 more per month, and the Crawley branch simply doesn’t compare. I’ve visited nearly all of the London branches, so I feel confident in making this comparison.
Positives
The gym does offer a great range of classes that cater to all levels, and this has been the main reason I stayed a member for so long.
Special thanks to Steve for his outstanding Body Attack classes — he is by far the best instructor.
There’s a good variety of very early and late classes, and the main studio is spacious.
I rarely had to book in advance for classes, which was a huge benefit.
The pool, while I’ve never used it myself, always appeared quiet, clean, and inviting from the studio.
The sauna and steam room are fairly well-maintained, though I only used them once or twice.
There’s a small café/food bar, which is a nice touch if you want to catch up with friends after a workout.
Negatives
Location: This gym is really only suitable for those who drive or live nearby. Accessing the gym in the dark feels unsafe — I was nearly run over twice last winter. The path is muddy, floods when it rains, and you’ll need a spare pair of shoes to avoid getting soaked. I raised these concerns with management, but the only action taken was the installation of a few cheap solar-powered lights that barely work, which is disappointing.
Equipment availability: If you’re into weight training, using equipment during peak times is nearly impossible — you often have to fight for a machine or dumbbells.
Maintenance issues: Half of the cardio machines have been broken for months without being fixed or replaced. The spin bikes also need proper servicing; their screens show inaccurate numbers, which makes them unsuitable for anyone serious about cycling. The same goes for the bikes on the gym floor.
Management: Unfortunately, management is not responsive. I’ve sent emails and made phone calls on several occasions and never received a reply — even when trying to cancel my membership. On the positive side, the general staff are friendly and helpful.
Overall
While the gym isn’t bad, it is significantly overpriced for what it offers. I am now a member of two separate gyms: one open 24 hours that’s excellent for weight training, and another with brand new equipment and fantastic classes. Together, these cost me £61 per month — nearly half of what Nuffield charged. I noticed they are offering 50% off, is someone struggling? Hey ho, might be back