 Overview
I made a minor hiccup with Bristol David Lloyd, I am starting this review with a minor bug of mine which is gym chains which do not have consistent opening times. I get the value in different times for different areas but 6:30 is a silly time to open wouldn’t you say? Anyway, set just outside the city of Bristol lies one of their 2 David Lloyd gyms, near a park and ride with ample parking themselves this has to be one of the most complete feeling David Lloyd gyms I have been in with a high level of finish, top quality kit and a huge complex of facilities. Once I was in the gym (after 6:30), I found a slightly confusing layout to get to the changing rooms having to make my way past the tennis courts and through some of the cardio area. The cardio area itself is spread around a central swimming pool on the ground floor but this appeared to be totally sealed off which was nice to not have the smell of chlorine or the rust that tends to result from an open pool. The weights area was upstairs above the changing area and it was totally amazing, spread around in a large square/U shape to the edges it boasted a fantastic range of equipment including squat racks (multiple) benches and a weird bench which moved the rack forward and back to allow you to unrack more directly over your chest (amazing!). The weights area is split between dumbbells and benches in one section, moving through a more open centre with a Synergy 360 you have one of the odd tracking synergy machines, there is then an area with a cable machine in the middle edged by the squat racks and a smaller selection of plate press machines than I have seen else where but still very decent. I would say my only complaint with this is that there weren't a huge number of plates and that the kit that used them was very spread out so finding them was quite a mission at times. The cable kit is downstairs and is a fantastic selection of very new kit, with two peck decks along with a nice single arm chest press machine, leg curls and more I was very happy and found this not heavily used. The only pain here being that it was downstairs with the rest of the free weights being upstairs my super sets were a little messed up. But for the range and quantity of equipment I was quite happy. The cardio equipment was then spread downstairs and some upstairs to one side which was a little odd but did include stair masters which always make me happy. This is another David Lloyd where they have every odd variety of cardio machine I could think of from jazzy bikes with computers attached to the single leg treadmill machines that terrify me it was pretty impressive. The rest of the downstairs area went on to have more cardio equipment, stretching and boxing areas and a load of functional kit including resistance hack squat and other machines which I didn’t have a chance to try. This gym really is big and has a load of "stuff", not quite sure that it wouldn't add more value to swap some of it out for some more simple and functional equipment like a weight sled but if you are into some of these machines it is great. The gym as ever being a David Lloyd has wifi which was pretty good, the parking is huge and well laid out, the gym felt clean and the changing rooms were really nice and fresh. The wider facilities are quite rich at this David Lloyd with the full range of squash, tennis and other wonders that cost extras if you want them. The final note which is quite a fun one, the lighting in the weights area was on point. With spot lights only in a generally poor lit area, it was perfect for a load of gym selfies and actually was very motivating as it makes you look good! I do think there is something to seeing yourself look good as you train and the lighting here is amazing for it (bonus marks right there! All up a really nice David Lloyd next to a park and ride to get into Bristol if you work there, couldn’t see a good reason aside from price as ever to not make this your choice of gym! How busy? Training first thing wasn't too bad but busier than other David Lloyds but given that it opens a bit later and I queued with people to get in I was not too surprised Equipment Free weights area 3 squat racks (2 with deadlift platforms) 1 flat bench, 1 incline, 1 decline 4 free benches Dumbells up to 50kg Set of plate machines including Chest Row Shoulder press Cable machines including Low row Cable cross over Facilities Indoor Tennis courts Outdoor Tennis courts Badminton courts Squash courts Indoor Pool Heated Outdoor Pool Café Steam room/sauna Changing/showers Studios (inc spin) Free weights area Weights machines Cable machines Cardio area Synergy 360 Pricing As ever David Lloyd can vary by location on where your base is, recently talking to a friend they got a starting rate of £90 for standard £70 per person for couples I have as other reviews had between £60-90 as the range and worth a haggle Remember there is a premium over this for tennis/squash etc Other bits It opens at 6:30 not 6, though the park and ride is great for running laps if you are early Plenty of parking Wifi as ever https://www.davidlloyd.co.uk/clubs/bristol-long-ashton https://www.facebook.com/DavidLloydBristolLongAshton/
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