Gym Reviews

Considering the location it is a good sized space, with half taken up with cardio machines - running machines, cross-trainers, rowing machines, bikes and steps, and even when the gym is at its busiest there are generally a couple going spare.

There is also a comprehensive set of weight machines, and a good well equipped free weights area.

For those who like classes there are 2 studios, one for spin classes, and one for a variety of other classes which run through the day and evening, and are included in membership.

I've been a member of Soho Gyms for many years and I would definitely recommend the gym without any reservations. They don't charge joining fees and offer various flexible memberships to suit the different needs of members.

The staff are always helpful, friendly and knowledgeable, and most branches have a very good selection of cardiovascular machines, resistance machines and free weights.

The Freedom Plus Tag membership also enables one to train at all the branches, which is great for those who do a lot of travelling within London for their work.

A basement building with a nice layout.

The changing room is not really spacious and can get easily over-crowded.

A good variety of machines and a decent free weights area.

No swimming pool but there is steam room with the shower area. They could do with cleaning the changing rooms a bit more often.

The location of this gym is of close proximity to all of the amenities that Elephant and Castle has to offer. The gym is segregated into spaces comprising a weights room, a cardio room, dance studio and courts. The gym has an adequate amount of cardio machines, a plethora of weight machines but not enough free weights to support an experienced training programme.

Facilities include: big courts for basketball, badminton, squash and tennis and, unfortunately, a defunct swimming pool. There are a wide range of gym classes for people to choose from, including aerobics, step, body pump, legs bums and tums but sadly, no spinning.

Overall, I would give this rating of 6/10

Having opened mid February 2008 the facilities are all still very new and the membership level yet to become properly established.

They offer studio based classes which has a good range of classes and I would expect this to grow with the membership base.

Borough branch is their new 'spa' concept and so they offer a mixed sex sauna and steam room as added relaxation facilities. The changing facilities are spacious and functional with basic amenities.

A basement gym that has recently been refurbished and now with an amazing layout.

Good selections of machines, swimming pool and free weights area. The gym also has both a steam room and sauna.

The gym is also very clean and one of the best gyms I have been to alongside Cannons in Paddington.

Large, spacious gym with plenty of equipment, so there is no fighting for anything like treadmills or cross-trainers!

Friendly staff are always on hand for any questions or tips on training

Can get busy late afternoon/early evening with people training after work, but generally quiet daytimes and weekends.

Paris Gym is one of those places where you wouldn't know it's there unless you're in the know! This is a shame because as far as gyms go.... this is one of the best south of the river. From the moment that you step into the secluded entrance just off the Albert Embankment you can see that this place means business. The actual gym is underneath the railway, in the arches with the entrance on the opposite side of the railway to the main road. Please note that as Vauxhall has become a mini gay village in the past couple of years this has meant that Paris (gym) is advertised as a gay men's gym, and although not exclusively gay, it does mean that it's exclusively male.

To start with, this place opens from 6am through until 11pm (with peak time being between 4.30pm-8pm normally and last admission being at 10.15pm), and upon entry I don't there has been a single time where there isn't a 'hello' from the friendly staff. The gym is split into 4 sections; two arches with both free weights (43 pairs of dumbells and 12 fixed barbells) and machines (76 weight-training stations) + a section of cardio machines (e.g. tread mills, rowers and step machines -19 cardio stations in total), the locker area with showers and sauna and a stand up sun bed (also now available are the spray tan system), a room for cardio and taught/ lead classes such as Yoga, Pilates & Body-Sculpt. Then finally a small room (located in the second arch) which is used for different things each day (e.g. hairdressers, massage, sports therapy, N.L.P. (Neuro linguistic therapy), etc.).

Outside of peak time it's normally quiet enough that you rarely have to wait for equipment unlike many of the inner-city gyms. But like most gyms you find that at peak times you may have to wait a little, but due to the comfortable surrounds combined with a relaxed atmosphere you can easily start chatting the guys around you (and being a gay gym means that there is less worry homophobic reactions). Failing that the wonderful staff are equally good for conversation of that little bit of help when needing to figure out how to use a particular piece of equipment.

For those needing a little push in training there is an array of personal trainers that are able to help you build your perfect body all with different approaches and different strengths, as well as contacts for life coaching and dietary assistance. The gym also has a small selection of equipment available to buy, such as gloves and lifting belts. They also have a convenient bar (non-alcoholic) with an array of drinks ranging from coffee (instant or ground) to protein shakes and even creatine supplements. All the dietary supplements are also available to buy in larger tubs, so effectively you can try most of the supplements (for about £2.50 - £3.00) before you want to commit to buying in bulk (tubs normally range between £25 - £32 on average).

If you want a relaxed gym that caters for the modern guy who wants to a proper gym without the generalised sudo testosterone fuel of an inner city gym, that manages to have those final touches to make it both serious and relaxed at the same time - check out Paris gym.

A fairly modern sports facility which includes a gym, large swimming pools (one funpool and one 25m training pool), squash courts, fitness classes, etc

Changing and locker facilities are quite basic, but it's local to me so I shower when I get home.

The staff are very knowledgable, friendly and always willing to help if you need some coaching or assistance.

The gym is always well populated and the machinery always in good working order.

The weights area is always clean and I have no problems in using the apparatus. It could do with being a little bigger to allow for more people.

The change rooms are always clean and the showers are too.

The pool area is small which puts me off swimming a little bit but it is clean and accessible.

The main area is large enough for the cycling and running machines, separate area for free weights and large enough space enough for abs workout

Layout a bit odd, Locker room and showers are quite dated

Amazing basement building, brand new gym and really good layout. Big space for cycling and running but not much room for free weights.

The changing room is large enough not to feel over-crowded when busy and amazingly well kept

Great swimming pool with sauna and steam room.