Tuesday 25 October 2011

Windermere Polytech-Tauranga

The gym at the polytech facility is fairly small, there is often a wait on cardio equipment at peak times but it's never usually too long due to the 20min max time limit imposed. There are many spin bikes for use however when other equipment is occupied. There are about 3 cross trainers and treadmills along with a variety of other bikes.
In the room adjacent to the cardio room is the weights room which is well equipped to serve members in terms of quantity. The staff here are very friendly and approachable. Early on some mornings a cardio health class is run for older people with trainers assistance which does take up extra equipment.
There is also a pool right outside the gym itself which has one very deep side where water polo trainings take place sometimes (also perfect for aquajogging) and one regular depth side for swimming. There are also aquajogging classes held in the pool along with other classes taken in the gym.
Parking is available right outside the gym and pool facility. Membership prices are reasonable and opening hours are satisfactory but quite short in the weekends. Again this gym has no pretentious airs nor members.
The changing rooms are basic-showers, toilets and mirrors.
This gym is perfect in terms of the variety of activities available i.e pool and gym, to keep working out from becoming boring.
Next Post- Baywave Mount Maunganui, and Genesis Fitness Auckland

The Gym-Tauranga

This gym is laid out in a large, open, warehouse style space.
Large fans serve as the air con system and one door is left open down one end of the gym which increases air flow and adds to the open feel the place.
There is also parking right outside.
Half of the space is taken up by cardio equipment-of which there is enough, sometimes there is a wait on cross trainers at peak times so a 20min max time limit is imposed. The other half of the gym is devoted to weights equipment which again is sufficient. The Gym also offer Les Mills fitness classes.
Membership prices here are very reasonable and the atmosphere is practical, non pretentious with members mostly of the professional variety who frequent the gym before or after work due to its central location. Another selling point of this gym is its 24 hour nature-with a membership a swipe pass is issued for use at any time of the day or night. I visited this gym some time ago and did not enquire into their security procedures.
The changing rooms are spacious with the basic showers and toilets but no frills.
Overall a functional, spacious comfortable gym to work out in.
Next Post-Windermere Polytech

Sunday 9 October 2011

CityFitness-Newmarket

This gym is laid out in a large open space. One half is dedicated to cardio equipment of which there is a lot! There is no 20minute maximun rule here as there is enough cardio equipment to service even peak times. The brand used is LifeFitness and it is updated regularly.
The weights and stretching areas are large and fully sufficient in terms of space and amount of equipment.
The staff were friendly and informative and the place had a down-to-earth feel about it with no pretentious airs.
 The range of classes offered is fairly standard-I tried the spin or 'group-ride' class which was a good intensive challenge. The membership pricing options were one of the cheapest I have encountered and especially good for student rates.
There is extensive on-site parking which is a relief being in the heart of Newmarket.
Overall a functional, open-plan, pleasant environment to work out in.
Next post: The Gym Tauranga followed by the Open Polytechnic- Windermere Campus- gym and pool facility

Monday 3 October 2011

BTS

This gym had a converted warehouse feel to it which I really enjoyed-big open space and nice and airy as on sunny days they raise the side walls so one whole half is open to the world. The changing rooms were very basic with a couple of toilets and showers-nothing flash but completely functional. The gym space was open-plan with half the area dedicated to cardio and half to weights. The equipment was again LifeFitness so I was happy plodding along on my crosstrainer. There was plenty of cardio equipment for medium-larger gym and I was told that in peak times complared to other gyms it did not get overly busy. The main clientele here is male. The weights area was fairly standard in terms of freeweights and there were plently of weights machines. Lockers were provided and they were in view of the exercise area so locks weren't too necessary. The staff were very pleasant and relaxed. This gym was one of the cheapest offering both short (3 month) and longterm plans-great student rates of $210 for 3 months!! Lots of parking just outside and a convenient location.
Next Post: CityFitness Newmarket

Bodytech- Mount Eden

This gym was lovely. Very modern, they even serve breakfast plus tea and coffee on mondays and tuesdays!!
The reception area was clean and spacious which can also be said for the changing rooms. This gym has lockers with automatic lock keypads on them which saves the hassle of having to cart padlocks and keys around with you. The gym area itself had enough cardio equipment for a large gym with many many bikes. The brand used is LifeFitness (yay!).
Bodytech offer a novel approach for their clients to circuit training. When you sign up you are taken by a trainer around their 30 minute circuit comprising of 8 machines which target each area of the body. Your trainer will set up the machines for you and record the weights and reps best suited to challenge you. After this you are recommended to do the circuit 3 times per week and they have a handy system to help you along. When you arrive in the gym area you put your card with all your workout info in a box provided and proceed to do your warm-up. When you are ready a trainer will set up your first machine for you and remains one step ahead of you setting up your next machines as you go. This style of supervision is good for those who enjoy guidance and challenge, even I enjoyed the interaction and I'm usually a lone wolf in the gym :)
I also tried the boxing class here which is free for members with a $5 glove hireage fee. Apparently each instructor has a different approach but the class I attended was great-it covered cardio (running, squats and other exercises outside), boxing with bags and partners inside, core and ab work.
This facility also has a pool!! It has 2 lanes and is around 1.6m so JUST deep enough to aquajog if youre a midget like myself, also good for lengths and I never encountered more than 4 people in the pool at once even in peak times. There is also a spa in this room.
Each changing room also has a sauna and a steam room.
Peak times did get busy but on a whole they weren't bad-there were never queues for equipment. Along with the initial circuit there is also a 'supplimentary' circuit which members progress on to including as they complete a certain number of circuits.
There is also free weights and the usual core/stetching areas.
The gym area has one full window of windows so it does not feel cagey, the pool also has a window. The lcoation is also nice in a tasteful area with plently of on-site parking in a building which is free for members and has a 2 hour limit.
The staff were very friendly and not at all pushy :)
Next post: BTS