Total Fitness has closed down *MOD note post 1* Please Read

sweetiepie

Got up early this morning and checked out Rockfitness, Westwood and Crunch in UCD. Didn't think any of them came close to the space in TF. Rockfitness was very small and although the staff were pleasant, the size of the place along with the lack of parking would turn me off. Not a huge amount of classes either. Westwood was bigger but I didn't like the layout. Parking was fine and they have a lot of classes. The girl showing me around was very friendly but I don't think I could justify the price. UCD is only open for another few months so I might decide to try there but trying to get a parking spot there this morning was crazy so again parking will be an issue if I want to go during the day. Think I'll definitely leave joining somewhere for another while. Why did it have to close:(

thomasj

Cool! I never saw that! Cheers.

Someone I know who uses the gym here said theres a male one and a female one

jt_dublin

thomasj wrote: »

Cool! I never saw that! Cheers.

Someone I know who uses the gym here said theres a male one and a female one

Yes, sadly we are not all in together

thomasj

jt_dublin wrote: »

Yes, sadly we are not all in together

Grilled Cheesus

Barry.Oglesby wrote: »

I reckon the world needs more Aldis!

I don't think I'm breaking any advertising rules when I say check out www.boardsdeals.ie today

Might be a good temp fix for those who want to hold off joining anywhere in case the gym reopens under another name

ando

LOLA08 wrote: »

Westwood was one of them. the lay out of the gym is so different from T/F, it was a room here a room there. strange, and it was also quite dark inside. the sales chap said 300 memebers had joined up already from T/F

Yea I got that feeling too about the place. Also, 300 members from TF signed up already.. my a$$ I don’t believe that. He said the same to me. He was also going on about a promotion for TF users which was great to hear, but I had 40mins to decide whether I wanted to take it up.. No I didn’t like that sales pitch. You have 40mins to decide if you want to be locked into a years contract... I can’t justify spending 75 a month, it’s ridiculous.

ted1

yeah,

i was at WW Leopardstown before and foudn their sales staff to pushy, sign now and you'll save xxx. but the offer only last till the end of the day. i also don't like the dark corners. it really isn't a patch on TF or any other purpose built gym. the small rooms just annoy me.

sweetiepie

I was told I had till 6pm this evening to decide if I wanted to join for that price. If I leave it longer, I have to pay the joining fee.

minotour

sweetiepie wrote: »

I was told I had till 6pm this evening to decide if I wanted to join for that price. If I leave it longer, I have to pay the joining fee.

What price are they asking for now?

sweetiepie

minotour wrote: »

What price are they asking for now?

If I signed up today I would have to pay only €75 per month whereas normally you have to pay €499 plus the 75 per month. I was also told that over 300 TF members joined up in the last few days and that's why the special offer is ending at 6pm today.

ando

sweetiepie wrote: »

If I signed up today I would have to pay only €75 per month whereas normally you have to pay €499 plus the 75 per month. I was also told that over 300 TF members joined up in the last few days and that's why the special offer is ending at 6pm today.

I was told it would end yesterday...

That price of €499 + €75 a month comes to €1399. That cant be right man, are they seriously expecting ppl to pay that?

TommyKnocker

If folks are willing to pay €1399 there is no doubt that WW will gladly take it from them. However the joining fee is the only place that the sales folks in WW have the ability to negotiate.

They usually start off by saying that the joining fee is €499, but if the perspective client is not jumping for joy at this figure, they will usually say "hold on and I will see if I can get you on a deal that just finished" :rolleyes: they will then leave the office for a few minutes and come back with a lower figure.

I was charged €99 a few years ago. I have heard of soembody who got it for about €75.

But if there are indeed a large number of ex TF Coolock members enquiring about joining/joining up, they may be less inclined to drop the joining fee, as they are on commission and have a large number of folks coming to them, rather then them having to look for new members.

Another possibility for folks from TF Coolock, is the Unique Physique Gym down in Kilbarrack. Not sure if it has a pool etc, but I know that they do weekly/monthly memberships with no contracts or joining fees. Two guys that run it apparently know their stuff and have heard good things abot it, though I have never been there.

Disclainer: I have no connection what so ever with the Unique Physique Gym!

COH

Grilled Cheesus wrote: »

Might be a good temp fix for those who want to hold off joining anywhere in case the gym reopens under another name

Informed Performance would be a good permanent fix for those who want a superior training facility full stop. I'm saying this as a member of IP, who is a past member of Westwood, and who trained in Total Fitness on many occassions.

minotour

sweetiepie wrote: »

If I signed up today I would have to pay only €75 per month whereas normally you have to pay €499 plus the 75 per month. I was also told that over 300 TF members joined up in the last few days and that's why the special offer is ending at 6pm today.

am on to them now, off peak 55 per month, peak 75. Offer ends at 2pm

thomasj

minotour wrote: »

am on to them now, off peak 55 per month, peak 75. Offer ends at 2pm

Don't forget anyone going to college to ask for student prices

ck101

75pm ouch, Makes TF look like good value!

dario28

TommyKnocker wrote: »

Another possibility for folks from TF Coolock, is the Unique Physique Gym down in Kilbarrack.

Anyone got any info on this place ? Is it any use ?

sweetiepie

thomasj wrote: »

Don't forget anyone going to college to ask for student prices

Their student price is €55 per month. Same joining fee applies as for adults.

RTT

Hate to say it ck101 but told you so. Hard to think that they would demolish the building however.

ck101 wrote: »

I have to say I'm surprised, couldn't see a need for more Lidl stores at these locations. Anyway here it is from Todays Irish Times website.


GERMAN DISCOUNT retailer Lidl is understood to have made an approach in recent weeks to buy the land at the Total Fitness gyms in Dublin.

The land is owned by Albert Gubay, the retail and leisure magnate, through a company called Mardown. He had retained the sites when he sold the gym chain in 2004 for €150 million.

Lidl declined to comment and Gubay, who is based in the Isle of Man, could not be contacted. Gubay, whose mother was Irish, is best known in Ireland for his retail ventures including the 3 Guys supermarket chain, which was eventually bought by Tesco.

Gubay sought to have part of the 27.4 acre site at the Total Fitness gym in Sandyford rezoned for residential use in 2008. He had set up Total Fitness in 1995 when he was recovering from a bad back.

The 82-year-old billionaire is leaving his entire business empire to the Roman Catholic Church, keeping only £10 million for himself.

“Mardown is one of the companies that will be held in the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, so its profits from its interests in Ireland will be used for wholly charitable purposes,” John Nugent, chairman of the Trustee of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, told The Irish Times.

Centre Operators Limited, the company behind the operation of the gyms, announced earlier this week that its gyms in Castleknock, the Malahide Road and Sandyford would be shut down. About 100 jobs have been lost and a liquidator is to be appointed. The company blamed high rents for the closure.

Lidl’s German rival Aldi meanwhile has lodged a planning application to develop a new discount supermarket on East Wall Road in Dublin 3

Zamboni

Just a fwiw.
Closing time on deals and joining fees are figments of imagination of sales folks.
They only exist if you fall for them.

VictoriaC

The reason I joined TG Sandyford 6 years ago is becoz its so close to where I live - thinking that I have to drive more than 10mins takes the the FUN out of it. You want a gym nearby and that's it...
I know a few people who belong to WW Leopardstown and they all say its small and you wait for machines all the time - that's what I loved about TF - you never waited!!

I have never run outdoors and the weather in this country is unpredictable - I will simply not run in the rain EVER. I ran outdoors for the first time on Saturday and hated it! I love being indoors on the treadmill then moving over to my stretching area, then my weights area and all the machines I used too!! I did a short routine at home myself (have weights but that's it) but its not what I'm used to at all.......... bring back TF Sandyford! OMG!

ando

Anyone know how to get a fake student ID :cool:

g'em

ando wrote: »

Anyone know how to get a fake student ID :cool:

If they do they won't be telling you how to get it here.

ethanb

ck101 wrote: »

I have to say I'm surprised, couldn't see a need for more Lidl stores at these locations. Anyway here it is from Todays Irish Times website.


GERMAN DISCOUNT retailer Lidl is understood to have made an approach in recent weeks to buy the land at the Total Fitness gyms in Dublin.

The land is owned by Albert Gubay, the retail and leisure magnate, through a company called Mardown. He had retained the sites when he sold the gym chain in 2004 for €150 million.

Lidl declined to comment and Gubay, who is based in the Isle of Man, could not be contacted. Gubay, whose mother was Irish, is best known in Ireland for his retail ventures including the 3 Guys supermarket chain, which was eventually bought by Tesco.

Gubay sought to have part of the 27.4 acre site at the Total Fitness gym in Sandyford rezoned for residential use in 2008. He had set up Total Fitness in 1995 when he was recovering from a bad back.

The 82-year-old billionaire is leaving his entire business empire to the Roman Catholic Church, keeping only £10 million for himself.

“Mardown is one of the companies that will be held in the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, so its profits from its interests in Ireland will be used for wholly charitable purposes,” John Nugent, chairman of the Trustee of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, told The Irish Times.

Centre Operators Limited, the company behind the operation of the gyms, announced earlier this week that its gyms in Castleknock, the Malahide Road and Sandyford would be shut down. About 100 jobs have been lost and a liquidator is to be appointed. The company blamed high rents for the closure.

Lidl’s German rival Aldi meanwhile has lodged a planning application to develop a new discount supermarket on East Wall Road in Dublin 3

Can't see this happening, planning issues for one, i assume site for example is zoned recreational not retail so would need to be rezoned, any dodgy politicians left? Taking demolition into account Lidl would want site for very little and I dont see Gubay giving someone in the retail trade a leg up..

Easiest thing is to relet at todays rental level, as landlord Gubay doesnt have the debts of other landlords here , I am sure he will do us a favour and get someone in again. In the meantime going month to month elsewhere will suit most

LOLA08

[it) but its not what I'm used to at all.......... bring back TF Sandyford! OMG![/QUOTE]


I agree, i had a routine going in t/f and it was tailerd made for me. i was happy with it. also went for a run and it was nice but cant see it lasting when its -6. also found it hard to get motivated.

I thought w.w was busy on sat. when i was up considering it was a sat. and a rugby day. also the whole rush of people to join it was like the sales guy were cashing in big time, they will take on as many people as they can and I'd say there will be killing in the place. but thats whats to be expected. I am afraid to join for that one reason, hand over €900 and cant get a bike or anything for that matter. will be interesting to see how it goes.

If the sandyford site is bought, they may well build a lidi on it and rent out t/f gym. can you see lidi filling in a swimming pool? there is plenty of land beside it to for them to build a shop and keep the t/f building.
It makes me feel a bit better to think like this for now until i find a new routine

luvbott

I am one of the sandyford members.... what gyms (apart from westwood) are worth checking out.

dumbells over 40kg is important

LOLA08

I have no idea what weights they have but

energie fitness nugrove
rock fitness dundrum
shore line bray (only 10mins on m50)
also gym in tallaght again a 15 min drive
new park blackrock i think have a gym

ShaneU

I know it's unlikely but are the Ben Dunne gyms doing offers for TF members?

Layderkinn

luvbott wrote: »

I am one of the sandyford members.... what gyms (apart from westwood) are worth checking out.

dumbells over 40kg is important

Hey luvbott I joined Ironside in Blackrock as I wanted to try some strongman training and their dumbells go up to 70kg too so you should be fine.

I would suggest calling down its a serious strength and conditioning set up.

The Davestator

As a staff member of Ww, Leopardstown, I just want to clarify a few things!
Yes, we are busy with TF members. Most of the extra people using the club are doing free trials so although it's busy, not all people doing trials will join. It's not the case that we're selling hundreds of new memberships and not considering our valued existing members.

ando

I was a member of the Clarehall TF.. I'm checking out Northwood and Alsaa after work. Whatever's cheapest tbh, both get reasonable reviews

LOLA08

The Davestator wrote: »

As a staff member of Ww, Leopardstown, I just want to clarify a few things!
Yes, we are busy with TF members. Most of the extra people using the club are doing free trials so although it's busy, not all people doing trials will join. It's not the case that we're selling hundreds of new memberships and not considering our valued existing members.

i dont understand, i was up on sat. in w/w and asked for a free pass for the gym and the sales chap said they were not giving out free passes anymore. my friend who was with me had an 8 day corporate gift pass and he said log on and sign in with the activation code. and someone will get back to me in a few weeks:eek: He also said that 300 new members have joined up already from t/f. in one day on top of the existing member.

sweetiepie

LOLA08 wrote: »

i dont understand, i was up on sat. in w/w and asked for a free pass for the gym and the sales chap said they were not giving out free passes anymore. my friend who was with me had an 8 day corporate gift pass and he said log on and sign in with the activation code. and someone will get back to me in a few weeks:eek: He also said that 300 new members have joined up already from t/f. in one day on top of the existing member.

I was told the same thing this morning that 300 new members had joined. I didn't ask for a pass though.

omega666

The Davestator wrote: »

As a staff member of Ww, Leopardstown, I just want to clarify a few things!
Yes, we are busy with TF members. Most of the extra people using the club are doing free trials so although it's busy, not all people doing trials will join. It's not the case that we're selling hundreds of new memberships and not considering our valued existing members.

thats good to know,
Just wondering how are how are ye going handle this big influx of new membership. While i know every gym is in the business of making money Is there a point where you say enough is enough and its just too busy.

Ive been a member of WW leopardstown for years and if im going to start waiting for machines, it becomes too busy etc.. i rather just join somewhere else.

WalterMitty

I really really hate the marketing spiel and hard sell tactics of Westwood sales people. It puts me off and gives me another reason to not join (price being another. Surely if their facilities are so good and such good value then they would put their prices on the website and let the facilities sell themselves.

ethanb

omega666 wrote: »

thats good to know,
Just wondering how are how are ye going handle this big influx of new membership. While i know every gym is in the business of making money Is there a point where you say enough is enough and its just too busy.

Ive been a member of WW leopardstown for years and if im going to start waiting for machines, it becomes too busy etc.. i rather just join somewhere else.

TF sales guy told me 2 weeks ago said that there was roughly 7000 members in Sandyford (3000 Castleknock down from 7000 5/6 years ago) if 300 have joined Ww ,theres a lot more still out there

LOLA08

The Davestator wrote: »

As a staff member of Ww, Leopardstown, I just want to clarify a few things!
Yes, we are busy with TF members. Most of the extra people using the club are doing free trials so although it's busy, not all people doing trials will join. It's not the case that we're selling hundreds of new memberships and not considering our valued existing members.

I am still waiting for a reply . .. . .

thomasj

ando wrote: »

I was a member of the Clarehall TF.. I'm checking out Northwood and Alsaa after work. Whatever's cheapest tbh, both get reasonable reviews

You should check out the dcu gym
As well. they are offering 100 off for total fitness members but they don't do monthly direct debits which people might be hesitant after what happened with total fitness.

The 17a bus stop is not far from it.

BostonB

jt_dublin wrote: »

It doesn't have a big hydro pool like TF but it has a large jacuzzi type pool behind the changing rooms near the sauna. I saw it on my tour yesterday.

Whats the prices like there?

thomasj

BostonB wrote: »

Whats the prices like there?

I was told 48 per month with no joining fee (didn't ask about annual rates) if you are using the other crunch gyms its 100 euro upgrade

TheZ

Seems nobody likes change and people get comfortable in their own gym


Have been a member of Raw, TF in Sandyford and now WW Leopardstown

My views for all they are worth


TF
Pros
200m track
Heavy dumbbells
Lots of freeweights
Lots of benches

Cons
Classes fairly poor and limited unless you like spinning
Lots of kids in changing rooms
TF - probably a better weightlifting gym than WW

WW
Pros
Better opening hours - caveat of races though
Nicer changing rooms and adults only/family rooms
More non-weights facilities/More cardio stuff
More and better classes - kettlebells for example
Tennis, squash, climbing wall
Punch bag
Better atmosphere and nicer place than TF.

Cons
Fewer free weights
Dumbells not has heavy
More of emphasis in resistance section on machines
WW probably a nicer place than TF and more facilities but not as good for free weights/weightlifting

Raw

Pros
Classes really good but limited
Really well equipped for weights
oly rings, tyres, boxes, kettlebells, loads of pull up places
has everything you need weights wise

Cons
Limited cardio
can be quite tight
Changing areas are small and very very basic
Less comfortable - cold in winter
Parking limited if you drive to gym
No pool etc

Raw seems like best place for weightlifting and you see people in Raw lifting way heavier than other two places. However it may not be convenient for a lot of people and convenience usually equals going


Generally average person in Raw in a lot better shape than in other two places - that can be for lots of reasons (not just the heavier lifting as that may have come first as Raw is a place that you probably need to seek out)


I think there is a gap in the market for a more luxurious Raw style gym - ie lots of heavy weights and emphasis on weight lifting with more luxury/touches/parking - a white collar boxing style boxing gym maybe?

The Davestator

LOLA08 wrote: »

I am still waiting for a reply . .. . .

Cheeky!
We are obviously trying to limited guest passes at present as we need to preserve the club for our existing members and new members.
I don't know who told you that 300 signed up in One day- rubbish!

Degsy

I joined Northwood yesterday after i had a look round thier gym.
It seemed fine,plenty of weights,5 benches,7 oly bars etc etc.

The guy said its best to avoid Monday evenings so i respected his honesty.

Anyway,it was 250 for the year,cash up front and you cant pay by direct debit at the moment.

I also got a money-off voucher for a new membership which if anybody is interested in PM me.

mollser

The tf facebook page has it that sandyford is opening again, the post says 'caveman training returning soon', presume this is just a windup... Feckers if so...

mollser

Ignore, they just clarified that caveman training returning to other venues near tf.

Morf3h

I signed up to Rock Fitness in Dundrum today having been in TF. The place is clean and friendly, very good value for 350 a year that's 20ish quid a month and they're adding new equipment in the coming weeks.

If it wasn't for the pool up at TF I woulda joined Rock ages ago!

Peter_H

I joined Northwood last Friday, one note I would make to the heavy lifter the dumbbells only go up to 30kg. It nearly stopped me joining but for €250 for the year I will make do. :cool:

Nate--IRL--

Peter_H wrote: »

I joined Northwood last Friday, one note I would make to the heavy lifter the dumbbells only go up to 30kg. It nearly stopped me joining but for €250 for the year I will make do. :cool:

Crap, I was gonna head down there next Monday, 30kg DBs is a bit silly. I was in Unique Physique tonight, lots of fellow TF refugees there. Small, but well equipped gym.

Nate

Handsome Bob

Nate--IRL-- wrote: »

Crap, I was gonna head down there next Monday, 30kg DBs is a bit silly. I was in Unique Physique tonight, lots of fellow TF refugees there. Small, but well equipped gym.

Nate

Oh christ don't say it. Fcuking place has already been mad busy due to the post x-mas rush.

Prender

luvbott wrote: »

I am one of the sandyford members.... what gyms (apart from westwood) are worth checking out.

dumbells over 40kg is important

Meadowbrook gym, balinteer is nice, and do have 40's