Element Fitness Health Club
2026-08-26T06:28:38.435Z
Edited review.I have been a member of this gym for around 15 years, going all the way back to when it was Fitness First, and for most of that time I genuinely loved coming here. The group fitness classes, the instructors, the members and the overall atmosphere were a huge part of why I stayed a member for so long.Unfortunately, in recent times, I have become increasingly disappointed with the direction the gym is taking.The biggest frustration for me is the reduction of so many group fitness classes from 60 minutes to 45 minutes. I have already raised this with the gym, but unfortunately, the situation seems to be continuing. What makes it even more frustrating is that a "45-minute" class often doesn't actually provide 45 minutes of exercise. On one occasion, a class was only around 38 minutes because it started late while members from the previous class were still packing up.It now also appears that the Saturday morning classes will be reduced to 45 minutes as well. This is particularly disappointing because Saturday mornings have traditionally had longer classes. I recently attended a Step class that was advertised as 45 minutes, but it actually ran for only around 40 minutes. When members make the effort to come to a class, I don't think it is unreasonable to expect to receive the full advertised class time.I understand that Element can structure its timetable however it chooses, and ultimately it is the gym's decision. However, as a long-term member, I also have the choice of whether I continue my membership. At the moment, these changes are unfortunately leaving me with a strong desire to look elsewhere.Another major disappointment has been seeing some of the amazing instructors leave, or prepare to leave, the gym. These instructors are a huge part of what makes group fitness enjoyable and are one of the main reasons many of us continue to attend. Losing experienced and well-loved instructors has a significant impact on the overall experience.I have voiced my concerns directly to the gym because I genuinely wanted things to improve. I have always cared about the group fitness offering and have been happy to provide feedback because I wanted to see Element succeed. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to feel that the feedback from long-term members is actually being heard.I know things change and that the gym needs to make decisions based on its own priorities. But after 15 years of being a loyal member, it is really sad to say that I no longer feel the same excitement about coming to the gym that I once did.Sometimes change is a good thing, but in this case, I feel the changes have taken away many of the things that made Element a gym I genuinely loved and enjoyed.I really hope management takes the feedback from long-term members seriously before more people decide that it is simply time to move on.
Edited review.I have been a member of this gym for around 15 years, going all the way back to when it was Fitness First, and for most of that time I g... More