WestWood

We've finally left Total Fitness and signed up with WestWood gym. While the overall layout of the gym is far brighter and nicer in Total Fitness Sandyford, and they have a gorgeous pool area, we were fed up with squeaky and non-working machines, blocked emergency exits, and non-working hair-dryers. I pointed out the problem with the emergency exit to the manager months ago and he never did anything about it. They had decided to put in sofas and flowing net curtains in that area - you can imagine how that would work out in the case of a fire! 

So, when we got a 4-day pass from WestWood in Leopardstown, we decided to give it a go. It's not as luxurious as I was expecting it to be, and the cardio machines are packed in very tight. But it seems to be well managed. I saw a woman with a clipboard trying every single cross-trainer on Friday, and there was a man repairing some of the machines, while another one was cleaning them! And the other day, a woman complained to the cleaning lady that a hair-dryer was getting very hot. The cleaning lady took the hair-dryer away and came back with another one 5 minutes later!

There is a big quiet and warm room for stretches, with mats, gym balls and other bits and pieces. And they have dimmed lights in there, so you're not blinded when you're lying on your back.

The changing rooms are comfortable, and the showers are a good temperature. No soap or shampoo in their dispensers yet, though. They are currently doing renovations, and there are builders around the place, but they seem to be making good progress.

We haven't been out the pool area very much yet. The main pool is only for lane swimming, and the jacuzzi was too hot when we tried it, but they have a lovely caldarium, which I must go to again.

Since we moved in mid-February, we've gone 3 times a week, which I think is perfect, and last week, I even went a 4th time. I think my bum and thighs are definitely firming up! I need to do a bit more work on the arms, though.