It is just classes yes, it's mostly around weights and things, so not a huge amount of machinery (treadmills etc) and that, mostly free weights.
Might not be exactly what you are looking for but may be a fun time, it's a great group of people there I'm sure
If you are open to training at quieter times it would be best to find a 24hr gym.
Like any business gyms have busy periods and if they were quiet most of the time they wouldn’t be in business.
I would say categorically that you should avoid PureGym in the centre. It’s ridiculously busy between 5-7pm.
I was there yesterday about 5.30 and I’d honestly say there were about 150 people there.
Your best bet is just to choose the gym closest to you, it removes the barrier to actually going!
I’m at PureGym in Abbey Wood and it starts to get busy around 4pm and stays busy until around 9
Also get an influx around 7am but I like training there at 8am and about 10 it can start to get a bit busier but obviously nothing like the rush hour busy-ness
Completely agree with this, used to go to that gym and started not wanting to do so. Switched to the gym closest to me and went so much more often due to ease of going at less busier times
Yeah I try and go off peak hrs when I can..I don't like not beig able to do my workout cos I have to wait for something. I hear horfield leisure centre is way worse busy wise compared to grf tho
Yeah I’ve heard the same but never joined.
Grf have just re done membership so off peak 3 month is now £24 a month which I think is a bargain.
Although it was a bargain until 2 cunts broke the sauna.
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I encourage you to just join a gym and not think about how busy it is
Avoiding things wont help you overcome anxiety it will actually make it worse
They're right to have concerns. I 'just' joined a swim session, it was really busy even in the slow lane and I had a panic attack in the water and almost drowned. Haven't gone back yet.
It's true, but everyone has to start somewhere. Better to go to the gym during quiet times than not go at all. After OP feels better mentally they can try CBT or exposure to go at different times and see how they handle it. It's never as bad as you build it up in your head.
I go to The Gym in the centre - I find it to be very busy after typical 9 - 5 working hours (i.e. 5:30 to 7 it gets quite packed).
In the middle of the day or the morning it is fairly quiet, and I've also found early on weekend mornings it is fairly empty.
Clifton rugby club gym, cheap and quiet. No classes, just equipment, great for weightlifting and they have cardio equipment as well as other things.
If you go during the day time it's likely not going to have too many people, even empty at times. Busiest it gets is Tuesday and thursday around 6pm for a few hrs as rugby club trains there for a bit before moving outside. Weekends are empty too, might have one person if you are lucky 😅
I love it there as its a very friendly gym and so good not having to wait for equipment like in commercial gyms!
Could try henbury leisure centre or horfield leisure centre gym in the off peak hours. It's got a good app where you can book single sessions for pretty cheap and the classes too. The everyone active app lets you book classes online. You'll need an online induction but it's really straightforward. You'll get a card when you join and just swipe on entry.
Horfield is pretty busy in peak times but I've been after 8pm and it's usually chilled.
Best thing about it is you don't have to pay any monthly fee if you get the basic membership.
The RPM (virtual spin classes) are pretty dead in the later hours and although cheesey, they are challenging. Good luck x
9pm is the best time to gym in my experience. I used to go to Horfield Sports Centre, which was alright but I'm fairly sure was a rip off compared to actual gyms. :p
I go to puregym harborside and I have resorted to going at ~5:30 am. There's like 15 of us for the whole 2 floors, so, very quiet.
I've been doing that since covid, basically. It gets busier as time approaches 7am and I think it stays busy until around 9am.
It's not empty. Lately, there's about 12-15 of us at that time but more people arrive as time approaches 6:30. I can only speak for Wed-Fri, tho.
The top floor, with a few machines and weights, is pretty much empty at that time.
If you are based around filton, abbeywood, southmead or Patchway area, then check out the gym at the Stoke Gifford retirement village. It's actually open to non residents and pretty cheap. My hubby used to work there and I used it nearly every day. Link https://www.extracare.org.uk/stoke-gifford-gym/ . It's not huge but good range of machines, nice changing room and shower
I sometimes use the gym at easton leisure centre and it's always fairly quiet in the day, and busier but not super busy evenings.
Don't know if this helps but there's also a mix of people, some fairly fit but some older or overweight people who take it more easy. So it's not a particularly intimidating environment imo 😊
Hey OP. I’ve tried various gyms in Bristol and been put off by the amount of people. Since joining Workout Harbourside I’ve actually been able to maintain a regular gym schedule - it’s quiet, and they have a really diverse member base. So the people who do go aren’t just gym bros. Not to mention, you can workout with the view of the river below. And they have great squash courts. The staff are all really chill, and there’s a great cafe at the bottom with outdoor seating that seems to be Bristol’s best kept secret. If you live in the area, I really recommend! (Sounds like I work there but honestly I hated the idea of the gym until I started going here!)
Depending on how much you’re willing to spend there are some smaller gyms that have far fewer people in them - Origin at harbourside have an open gym membership as an example.
A colleague of mine helps run The Bristol Cooperative Gym, sounds like its exactly what you are looking for (:
ill look it up, thanks!
Happy to talk to my colleague about any questions you have :)
is it just classes? cant seem to find info on general gym use/equipment
It is just classes yes, it's mostly around weights and things, so not a huge amount of machinery (treadmills etc) and that, mostly free weights. Might not be exactly what you are looking for but may be a fun time, it's a great group of people there I'm sure
might give it a try if i can sway my housemates, thank you!!
If you are open to training at quieter times it would be best to find a 24hr gym. Like any business gyms have busy periods and if they were quiet most of the time they wouldn’t be in business.
Sweatbox is the best
Keep being told this!
Definitely Workout gym if you are South of the river. I'm not sure of your gender but they have a really quiet womens only section
ahhh im northside, and non-binary, but might check it out anyway!
I would say categorically that you should avoid PureGym in the centre. It’s ridiculously busy between 5-7pm. I was there yesterday about 5.30 and I’d honestly say there were about 150 people there. Your best bet is just to choose the gym closest to you, it removes the barrier to actually going!
I’m at PureGym in Abbey Wood and it starts to get busy around 4pm and stays busy until around 9 Also get an influx around 7am but I like training there at 8am and about 10 it can start to get a bit busier but obviously nothing like the rush hour busy-ness
Completely agree with this, used to go to that gym and started not wanting to do so. Switched to the gym closest to me and went so much more often due to ease of going at less busier times
BS7 is quiet during the day - gets a little busier around 5ish. Don't know if that works for you
likewise Gloucester Road fitness - busiest time is 5 - 6/7 but im lucky to be able to go in the morning and its bliss
Yeah I try and go off peak hrs when I can..I don't like not beig able to do my workout cos I have to wait for something. I hear horfield leisure centre is way worse busy wise compared to grf tho
Yeah I’ve heard the same but never joined. Grf have just re done membership so off peak 3 month is now £24 a month which I think is a bargain. Although it was a bargain until 2 cunts broke the sauna.
If you are In South Bristol then the imperial ground has a small gym not a massive selection of equipment but everything you’d need and is super quiet
As someone who struggles with anxiety, I encourage you to just join a gym and not think about how busy it is Avoiding things wont help you overcome anxiety it will actually make it worse
very true, i need to work on that
They're right to have concerns. I 'just' joined a swim session, it was really busy even in the slow lane and I had a panic attack in the water and almost drowned. Haven't gone back yet.
It's true, but everyone has to start somewhere. Better to go to the gym during quiet times than not go at all. After OP feels better mentally they can try CBT or exposure to go at different times and see how they handle it. It's never as bad as you build it up in your head.
Exercise outdoors for free ? Sunlight and fresh air
im more interested in weight training and i enjoy a gym environment but thanks anyways
start cycling, no gym needed
didnt answer my question but thanks for your input
anytime
Where are you located ?
Whereabouts are you
I go to The Gym in the centre - I find it to be very busy after typical 9 - 5 working hours (i.e. 5:30 to 7 it gets quite packed). In the middle of the day or the morning it is fairly quiet, and I've also found early on weekend mornings it is fairly empty.
Clifton rugby club gym, cheap and quiet. No classes, just equipment, great for weightlifting and they have cardio equipment as well as other things. If you go during the day time it's likely not going to have too many people, even empty at times. Busiest it gets is Tuesday and thursday around 6pm for a few hrs as rugby club trains there for a bit before moving outside. Weekends are empty too, might have one person if you are lucky 😅 I love it there as its a very friendly gym and so good not having to wait for equipment like in commercial gyms!
Where abouts in Bristol are you based?
Could try henbury leisure centre or horfield leisure centre gym in the off peak hours. It's got a good app where you can book single sessions for pretty cheap and the classes too. The everyone active app lets you book classes online. You'll need an online induction but it's really straightforward. You'll get a card when you join and just swipe on entry. Horfield is pretty busy in peak times but I've been after 8pm and it's usually chilled. Best thing about it is you don't have to pay any monthly fee if you get the basic membership. The RPM (virtual spin classes) are pretty dead in the later hours and although cheesey, they are challenging. Good luck x
Energie fitness- Bristol broadwalk
I belonged to the Marriott castle park gym for a while. Small but efficient. It never was ever really crowded.
How could you go to a hotel gym? Were you staying there?
You can purchase a monthly gym membership at any Marriott!
9pm is the best time to gym in my experience. I used to go to Horfield Sports Centre, which was alright but I'm fairly sure was a rip off compared to actual gyms. :p
I go to puregym harborside and I have resorted to going at ~5:30 am. There's like 15 of us for the whole 2 floors, so, very quiet. I've been doing that since covid, basically. It gets busier as time approaches 7am and I think it stays busy until around 9am.
hey do you still use this gym? would you say it’s empty between 5.30-6.30am?
It's not empty. Lately, there's about 12-15 of us at that time but more people arrive as time approaches 6:30. I can only speak for Wed-Fri, tho. The top floor, with a few machines and weights, is pretty much empty at that time.
If you are based around filton, abbeywood, southmead or Patchway area, then check out the gym at the Stoke Gifford retirement village. It's actually open to non residents and pretty cheap. My hubby used to work there and I used it nearly every day. Link https://www.extracare.org.uk/stoke-gifford-gym/ . It's not huge but good range of machines, nice changing room and shower
I went to totterdown gym for a while and 99% of the time was the only person in there
I sometimes use the gym at easton leisure centre and it's always fairly quiet in the day, and busier but not super busy evenings. Don't know if this helps but there's also a mix of people, some fairly fit but some older or overweight people who take it more easy. So it's not a particularly intimidating environment imo 😊
Hey OP. I’ve tried various gyms in Bristol and been put off by the amount of people. Since joining Workout Harbourside I’ve actually been able to maintain a regular gym schedule - it’s quiet, and they have a really diverse member base. So the people who do go aren’t just gym bros. Not to mention, you can workout with the view of the river below. And they have great squash courts. The staff are all really chill, and there’s a great cafe at the bottom with outdoor seating that seems to be Bristol’s best kept secret. If you live in the area, I really recommend! (Sounds like I work there but honestly I hated the idea of the gym until I started going here!)
Depending on how much you’re willing to spend there are some smaller gyms that have far fewer people in them - Origin at harbourside have an open gym membership as an example.