Having experienced both I thought i’d give you a little bit of a review of the two main chain clubs in Brighton. I first joined LA fitness in Brighton about 1.5 years ago. I got a really good deal with Pru Health insurance, this deal has changed and was proving to be not so great after all. I then decided to look at my options knowing that Fitness First Premium had just been refurbed. I joined Fitness First and think it’s way better, I also bumped into quite a few x LA fitness pepes who think so too…here’s why I think it’s better.
Location
Both are located right near the station, LA fitness just down from it and Fitness first literally right outside. They pretty much level peg here.
Service
I have to admit that having the service at Fitness First has been much better on first impressions. Staff pay attention to detail and are all firendly and very helpful. At LA Fitness they always appeared as if they didn’t really wannt to be there, over worked and probably under payed is the reason. This could also have something to do with how busy they always are. Whatever the reason in my personal experience the day to day staff seemed pretty grumpy.
Cleaniness/Maintanance
Fitness first takes this one hands down again. There’s nothing worse than walking bare foot into slimey showers! As I did many a time in LA Fitness. Fitness first on the other hand has a clear checklist displayed of when areas were last cleaned and generally seems much cleaner.
Gym equipment
Hands down Fitness First again. It does it on cardio area, number as well as range of free weights and machines. You get much more for your money with state of the art equipment. Fitness First has all the standard stuff that LA has plus squat rack, more benches and TX pulley things.
Other Facilities
LA Fitness has one over Fitness here with the Pool and Spa areas. Both have steam rooms and sauna. However, Fitness First does have one added extra for the ladies, private cardio and weights area.
Busyness
Both obviously get busy at peak times, ie straight after work. What annoys me that when it’s busy they used to still insist on showing people around LA. They should have a limit on members if you ask me, especially at peak times.
Added Extras
On joining LA I got diddle squat for my troubles. On joining Fitness First i got a free rucksack and towl as well as free internet access in reception and free DVD hire. Bonus!
Price
I wangled a 12 month contract at FF for £36 a month for 12 months. Although I think this was a special rate unless the salesman had me! LA fitness is £50 a month. Rip off! Not sure if there’s a difference for a years’ contract…I’m not even gonna bother checking it out.
FITNESS FIRST is your boy!
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You should check out LA Fitness post refurb…..
It was a bit difficult to choose betweeem them when Fitness First had burnt down (I was a member there until then). Although I agree with some of the points, what stops me going back is the classes – no comparison. There are no classes in the afternoon at Fitness First before 18:00 and not a great variety (as far as i can tell there’s no Abs classes or Step classes at all). I think the fact that staff I remember from Fitness First (I don’t remember them being so friendly) go to classes at LA fitness illustrates that fact quite well
I have visited both gyms. FF was soooo much better in every case!! The staff at LA are too pushy,rude and stressed. Also at LA i saw a member of staff telling a customer to sort out there finances because they did not pay in time!(whats that about).At FF there are smiles everywere and not pushy at all! FF has a great atmosphere with the best classes in brighton. This gym should be voted one of the best in the UK. Very clean/tidy with amazing equipment and GREAT customer service. I saw Ryan and he helped me with all my goals and i even got 3 Personal Training sessions for free!! Now i have lost 2.5stone thanks to Ryan and i thank him everyday!
My partner and I decided to use a free 3 day gym pass. And ….we ended up robbed on the first day. At that time we did not know that we had to bring our own padlocks!!! That is ridiculous, honestly. I have been to so many gym places in the world and it was the first time I’ve seen this. So we were warned that administration is not responsible for any stolen items. Yet we took a risk. The good thing we had our valets with us. My partners clothes were stolen, reception didn’t even react, it was something natural to them…I take responsibility for making a decision to leave clothes unlocked. Yet why can not they rent padlocks to the potential clients, or taking a deposit. The explanation I was given, was that 6-7 padlocks are being broken everyday. But if they take deposit, and if the padlock is broken they get to keep the money…where is the problem? I can not get rid of the feeling that staff was completely indifferent to what happened. As if it was a daily and natural thing. there is not way we are signing up with such club….It was a very disappointing experience.
Overall the gym is average. Swimming pool is small and crowded….staff was not cooperative