Patricia Weston visits three gyms around the country
Total Fitness, Dublin
Facilities/equipment: A well-equipped gym with plenty of cardio-vascular equipment. There's a sufficient amount of resistance training equipment including weight machines and free weights. This gym has a 25m swimming pool and a 12.5m children's pool plus a hydrotherapy, Jacuzzi-type pool. There are also squash courts, an aerobics studio and spinning room, as well as a "ladies gym".
Classes: There's a good variety of classes: aerobics, step aerobics, toning classes, aqua aerobics, kickboxing and spinning. There's a nifty fifty class which is a low-impact class for the over-50s.
Hygiene: This is an open-plan gym. It's big, airy and well air-conditioned. It's clean and there are signs encouraging members to use their own towels to cover equipment.
Atmosphere: The radio is playing in the background and there are televisions mounted in front of the cardio equipment but the atmosphere is a little dull. Members seem to come into the gym to drudge through their programme and then go home.
Additional comments: The ladies gym has proven popular. One woman said she liked working out there, away from the "sweaty men lifting weights". The hydro pool is an added bonus.
Cost: Off-peak membership (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for 13 months costs 405. Peak membership for 13 months costs 605.
Peak Physique, Westmeath
Facilities/equipment: This is a small gym with four treadmills, six stationary bicycles and four steppers. There are weight machines, free weights and spinning bikes for spinning classes. It's a bit cramped and there is no aerobics studio so the only classes offered are circuit training and spinning.
Classes: As there is no studio to hold classes, spinning and circuit training can be held only during peak gym times in the evening on the gym floor.
Hygiene: It's a clean, well air-conditioned gym and the changing rooms, showers, sauna and steam room are spotless.
Atmosphere: Members seemed to just come in to perfunctorily perform their workout and go home. Upbeat music was playing in the background and Sky Sports was on the televisions.
Cost: Annual peak membership is 285 which can be paid by direct debit at 39 per month. There is also three-month and six-month membership available. Off-peak membership is 200 and can be paid by direct debit at 26 per month.
There is also a midday membership available Monday to Friday between 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for 175 a year. Student membership costs 100 for the year.
Peak Physique Health & Fitness Club also has a gym in Galway.
Falvey Health, Cork
Facilities/equipment: This is a small split-level gym. On one level there are weight machines and free weights and a limited amount of cardio equipment on another, with a punch bag for boxing. There is an aerobics studio but no classes as there is no instructor. There is a squash court, a sauna and sunbeds. The owner was friendly and on hand to give advice on the use and safety of the equipment. He interacted well with members and was on first name terms with them.
Classes: The only class available at this gym was circuit training on the weight machines.
Hygiene: This was a small and cramped gym. It wasn't air-conditioned and the building was a little shabby.
Atmosphere: This gym has a male sweaty boxing club feel. On the day I attended there were three men working out including one boxing on the punch bag. I was assured there were plenty of female members. There was, however, a friendly atmosphere, members knew one another and the staff related to members.
Additional comments: Although facilities were limited, there was enough to get you fit and maintain your fitness level. There was the added bonus of pay-as-you-go membership for €5 per visit, this also included a full assessment and programme.
Cost: One-year membership costs 275, six months costs 150, three months costs 80 and one month costs €35.