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

nullzero

I'm leaning towards Energie in Nutgrove at the moment as it's close enough to me and the rates aren't too bad.

I have to say the €89 membership until end of June in Crunch UCD represents good value.

If I'm being honest, if the TF Sandyford facility reopened under new management I'd probably jump at joining back up there as it just suits me much more than any other gyms I've been in since the closure last week.

Heading to WW in the next few days to scope it out, although at those prices the sales team will be getting a lesson in bluffing from me as I take a nice free work out and stroll out the door with no intenion of darkening their door again.

I'm stilling hanging onto the feint hope of the Sandyford gym opening up again. I moaned about the stupid things they managed to get wrong while it was open, but I've always known from using other gyms whilst I was a member there that the facility itself was second to none.

Any other monday evening I'd be up in the gym right now:(

sweetiepie

I agree nullzero. I'm actually gutted that it closed. I would have been up there this evening as well and I miss it. There isn't another gym with the same facilities so I really hope that it reopens soon albeit under new management. I hope that lidl doesn't get it-it's too nice a gym to be destroyed.

Ammsy500

I think like a few people on here Im going to hold out incase TF opens again or somebody else takes it over. Someone has to its just too much of a waste and I dont see Lidl or aldi being built on the clare hall one since Tesco is beside it. Thankfully its coming into the summer so I think ill just use the open air as my gym

I went into the Migym in Malahide wasnt very impressed looks like poserville :cool: and the girl on the reception who was very snooty, no joke looked me and my sister up and down when we went into enquire. The thoughts of having to go to the gym 'made up' with the best of gym gear on puts me off no thanks :pac: Total fitness was so relaxed lol.

They were offering 12 months with one month free to TF members for €499 or €49 per month but with paying monthly thats only €6 cheaper than what i was paying in TF and that had a pool which migym doesnt have. So dont think ill be going there anyway.

Beau

Finding it tough to find a new place. Meadowbrook has no squat rack, Carlisle was so busy! Sheldon Leisure Centre was almost perfect nice pool, very quiet and cheap (299€ a year) but yet again no squat rack

I might sign up to Body Health and Fitness in Sandyford for a month and see how I get on, I want a pool though! I'll just have to pay as you go to Meadowbrook in the meantime.

Please someone with a few bob reopen the Sandyford gym!

ando

nullzero wrote: »

Any other monday evening I'd be up in the gym right now:(

Yea me too. Instead I've been driving round to different gyms looking to be shown around..

Nate--IRL-- wrote: »

I was in Unique Physique tonight, lots of fellow TF refugees there. Small, but well equipped gym

Whats the damage for joining this gym?? I'm so close to joining Northwood but as previous posters have said the dumbells only go upto 30?? Silly but at €250 I cant really complain

I visited Alsaa beside the airport... Jesus that place is seriously run down and the gym itself is tiny, the free weights section is as small as my kitchen :O

ando

If anyone else is joining Northwood, do you want to join together, if we can get three people joining at the same time, we save €50 each...

12 months for 1 person = €250
12 months for 2 people = €450 (€225 each)
12 months for 3 people = €595 (€198 each)

thomasj

Okay I'm not sure what you think of this but maybe if a new thread is open for gyms people can join.

As people look for gyms they can post experiences there such as price, facilities etc to save questions being repeated over and over again

What do you think?

TommyKnocker

thomasj wrote: »

Okay I'm not sure what you think of this but maybe if a new thread is open for gyms people can join.

As people look for gyms they can post experiences there such as price, facilities etc to save questions being repeated over and over again

What do you think?

These threads already exist

Gym Reviews

Gym membership Offers

List of Gyms and what they offer

Don't see any point in adding another thread with the same information contained in the existing threads tbh

hunkymonkey

I hear parking is limited in northwood.
Is there any secure bicycle parking?

VictoriaC

Morf3h wrote: »

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!

I drove past Rock Fitness last night and cars were double parked and the car park is TINY. I feel you would have to park elsewhere (nightmare!!) and then it looks pretty small ?!?!? Just turned me right off!

TF sandyford was a 5min drive (even less) from home and that's what I want again!

mwrf

Tried out Meadowbrook this morning, Nice enough gym, and has everything I need. I had the place pretty much to myself at 8am to 9am.
Only problem was the really load pop music in the main Gym. I don't understand that.

€6 a visit isn't cheap though when you're going 4 times a week.

sweetiepie

VictoriaC wrote: »

I drove past Rock Fitness last night and cars were double parked and the car park is TINY. I feel you would have to park elsewhere (nightmare!!) and then it looks pretty small ?!?!? Just turned me right off!

TF sandyford was a 5min drive (even less) from home and that's what I want again!

That's my worry with Rockfitness as well. Also the traffic around Dundrum can be crazy on bank holidays or around Christmas. The gym itself is tiny compared to TF. There doesn't seem to be many options at all.

LOLA08

VictoriaC wrote: »

I drove past Rock Fitness last night and cars were double parked and the car park is TINY. I feel you would have to park elsewhere (nightmare!!) and then it looks pretty small ?!?!? Just turned me right off!

TF sandyford was a 5min drive (even less) from home and that's what I want again!

I agree with you here, we were so spoilt with t/f being on our doorstep i hate having to drive a distance to another gym. & one which training facility and SPACE are far less then t/f. really the only alternative is w/w if you want something close by, swimming pool and plenty of classes. and of course expensive and busy.

But on a positive note, its coming into the summer, go for a run and keep active. you can always go to a pay as you go gym once a wk and run the other days. take your time before you commit to joining another gym, my new attidute is, mind over matter, and part of life is adapting to change. i hate the change now but I know i will adapt.

you never know what will happen in the next few months, it is clear there is a demand for a gym in the area.

Big Nasty

Really hope someone takes the lease and it reopens soon (with affordable prices)!

TeddyTedson

Needs to stay as a gym!!!!!!!!!!

VictoriaC

LOLA08 wrote: »

I agree with you here, we were so spoilt with t/f being on our doorstep i hate having to drive a distance to another gym. & one which training facility and SPACE are far less then t/f. really the only alternative is w/w if you want something close by, swimming pool and plenty of classes. and of course expensive and busy.

But on a positive note, its coming into the summer, go for a run and keep active. you can always go to a pay as you go gym once a wk and run the other days. take your time before you commit to joining another gym, my new attidute is, mind over matter, and part of life is adapting to change. i hate the change now but I know i will adapt.

you never know what will happen in the next few months, it is clear there is a demand for a gym in the area.

Thanks Lola - I went running on the road over the weekend its just the not the same and if its raining there is no way i'll do it. Have some weights at home and did a small routine - but its not what I'm used to! My life has totally changed!!

I looked at WW before and it wasn't great and always heard the complaints that its really busy and you wait for machines - no thanks!

heyheyhey1982

I hope its reopens Soon. But it would have to be very soon- the amount of TF members that have moved to other gyms would be substantial and they might not go back. TF relied on having a lot of members as it was a “super gym” so who ever takes it over would need a lot of them members to come back. TF Sandyford had many issues with equiptment not being fixed when broken- we now know why. The staff seemed to me to hate there jobs- now I know people think the staff where great – but I felt if you where in doing spinning classes with them they’d like you- while the average member was looked on as non serious gym members. I was in a gym last weekend and I have to say the one thing I noticed was staff seemed friendly towards members and the pool area was a bit cleaner. TF sandyford was a great facility to me. I hope it reopens. In my eyes it was the best gym in the country by a mile taking price into consideration and space also. RIP TF you will be missed!

LOLA08

chin up, you are one of many many people who are lost without the gym and trust me i am one of them. going 4-5 times a wk. to suddenly nothing. its a change all right and to be honest lonley. so use to having people around even if its just to excerise beside in a class.

i would love to think it will reopen but also have to be practical . & in doing so i come to the conclusion if i was happy in t/f i will be happy elsewhere, in time of course. i am not joining a gym for now i am going to let the rush calm down. i dont want to make a rash decision out of panic. give myself time and then decide what to do. for a start i will do 1 pay as you go class, running, got my bike fixed, walking. and when the winter sets in thats time to start thinking about the next step. UCD are opening a top of the range gym in Dec. i know its a bit away yet but hey its coming and has a 50m pool.

lily0

Lola, u r right, im d same, i was in the gym 4-5 times a week, and suddenly nothing. I trained in malahide, the place and the atmosphere were great. Im just wondering where r the ex malahide members going to sing up? Did anybody sign up smwhere ? Any idea? thx

lily0

I think Energie has an offer for TF members, u can sign up for 6 weeks for 128€, or for 3 month 70pm, and also for a year, its 53pm. The place is ok, ive been there to have a look around, b i havent decided yet.

golfman

lily0 wrote: »

Lola, u r right, im d same, i was in the gym 4-5 times a week, and suddenly nothing. I trained in malahide, the place and the atmosphere were great. Im just wondering where r the ex malahide members going to sing up? Did anybody sign up smwhere ? Any idea? thx

I was a member up there and live in Artane. It seems there's a few options:

WestWood Clontarf - supposed to be a nice gym but I haven't gone down due to the €900 membership fee
Northwood Santry - used to be a member here. Great place to go if you don't train at peak times after work. However if you are going in around 5.30-6 forget about even getting a parking space let alone getting on the machine/bench of your choice. I usually train betweeen 7.30-8.30 am and found this gym great and cheap. Only joined TF as it had the squash courts and it was marginally closer. as I've started working in town now.
MiGym Malahide - I know nothing about this gym apart from what has been mentioned on here.
Slender Health Raheny - I might call in here. Think its more lady related from what I've heard, i.e. there's certain times it ladies only in there.
Unique Physique Kilbarrack - Only heard about it this morning - would be great if they had a website! :rolleyes:

lily0

Thanks so much! i havent decided yet, still looking and try to find the best for me. Ive been in northwood, was really packed, so i dont think i sign up, cos i would train there after work :S

golfman wrote: »

I was a member up there and live in Artane. It seems there's a few options:

WestWood Clontarf - supposed to be a nice gym but I haven't gone down due to the €900 membership fee
Northwood Santry - used to be a member here. Great place to go if you don't train at peak times after work. However if you are going in around 5.30-6 forget about even getting a parking space let alone getting on the machine/bench of your choice. I usually train betweeen 7.30-8.30 am and found this gym great and cheap. Only joined TF as it had the squash courts and it was marginally closer. as I've started working in town now.
MiGym Malahide - I know nothing about this gym apart from what has been mentioned on here.
Slender Health Raheny - I might call in here. Think its more lady related from what I've heard, i.e. there's certain times it ladies only in there.
Unique Physique Kilbarrack - Only heard about it this morning - would be great if they had a website! :rolleyes:

bringbacktotal

i was in total for 10 years miss the place already,could see the decline in the place in recent years,at one stage there used to be olympic bar for every squat, bench and shoulder press and despite getting fed up having to walk half way round the place to get two weights of the same size i prob would of stayed another 10,the location of blanch and sandyford suited me down to the ground for work specially with 6am opening
can anyone tell me if all the energie gyms are the same layout cos looked at the one in parkwest and found it fairly ****
me only other options are carlisle in kimmage which doesnt open till 6:30 and westpark on greenhills round which is smaller but more exspensive

golfman

According to Unique Physique's facebook page, they don't open till 9am which now rules that out for me.

For me its pretty much a toss up between Northwood and Westwood but the prices are on completely different levels. I also just heard from my g/f that there is a gym in some hotel on the swords rd...... anyone know anything about that place?

annieoburns

Ben Dunne on Joe Duffy this afternoon

"I’ll be walking around my clubs next Monday. We’re opening a new one out on the southside in September. We’re opening one in Germany on the 2nd of April."

Now I wonder where that might be?

lily0

Its called the regency hotel, they have fitness centre and spa too.

golfman wrote: »

According to Unique Physique's facebook page, they don't open till 9am which now rules that out for me.

For me its pretty much a toss up between Northwood and Westwood but the prices are on completely different levels. I also just heard from my g/f that there is a gym in some hotel on the swords rd...... anyone know anything about that place?

lily0

Ive been in energie swords (applewood village), my first opinion was that its too small, and for me its very far, so i wouldnt pick this. But the place looks new, and bright

bringbacktotal wrote: »

i was in total for 10 years miss the place already,could see the decline in the place in recent years,at one stage there used to be olympic bar for every squat, bench and shoulder press and despite getting fed up having to walk half way round the place to get two weights of the same size i prob would of stayed another 10,the location of blanch and sandyford suited me down to the ground for work specially with 6am opening
can anyone tell me if all the energie gyms are the same layout cos looked at the one in parkwest and found it fairly ****
me only other options are carlisle in kimmage which doesnt open till 6:30 and westpark on greenhills round which is smaller but more exspensive

Handsome Bob

Shocking stuff, was talking to one of the staff in my gym there and he said that some people were in this morning close to tears, TF were harassing people to renew their membership just 2/3 weeks ago (which they had). If true, it's sickening.

ck101

I was a member of ww Clontarf many years ago. You could never get a car park space in the main car park, always ended up parking in the overflow. The changing rooms and gym are a bit of a hike. No problem with the exercise involved in this but it all seemed badly planned and took a good while to get from the car to the gym. Otherwise the facilities are good if overpriced at 900eu.

Having said that I would rather have paid 900 for a gym that's still in business than 600 for one that's not.

I don't see WW in Clontarf doing any deals considering the lack of good gyms with pools on the Northside.

Alsaa is without doubt a dive. It needs a total re design and caters more for team sports. The pool is in a separate building also.

RacoonQueen

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Shocking stuff, was talking to one of the staff in my gym there and he said that some people were in this morning close to tears, TF were harassing people to renew their membership just 2/3 weeks ago (which they had). If true, it's sickening.

I assume staff were aware that the place was in trouble so were trying to get people to renew to keep the doors open but weren't aware how much trouble they were in.

TF facebook page is FULL of trainers/groups/gyms pimping their wares. Brilliant stuff.

Sangre

Heard that WW Leop has got a new bench/squat rack. Not sure where they've put them though, not much room near others. Bit of a investment from new membership numbers maybe.

Sangre

Sangre wrote: »

Heard that WW Leop has got a new bench/squat rack. Not sure where they've put them though, not much room near others. Bit of a investment from new membership numbers maybe.

I was up tonight and am having second thoughts about paying til end of april tbh, the place was an absolute warzone! was absolutely packed! I'm going to look into joining ironside gym instead i think. Anybody here a member already??

ct_roy

Just thinking about something regarding TF Sandyford. Given the huge interest in this thread there is an obvious demand for the gym to reopen asap under new management.

Have any members actually looked into what would be involved taking over the gym and what kind of business model might work for this to happen?

Before the celtic tiger madness (and even through it to be fair) a lot of golf clubs are still thriving as they have a strong core ownership funded by membership.

Surely there's a way that WE all could make this work? The obvious issues are:

a.) Rent - Maybe Gubay would be willing to lower his rent quicker to a member cooperate quicker than Ben Dunne et al. He is a devout Catholic after all!
b.) Running the club - There's plenty of people with lots of experience in this industry looking for work right now as a result of being let go by Centre Operators.

COH

Deleted User wrote: »

I was up tonight and am having second thoughts about paying til end of april tbh, the place was an absolute warzone! was absolutely packed! I'm going to look into joining ironside gym instead i think. Anybody here a member already??

Ironside is f*cking awesome

Fozzydog3

hey anyone whats the deal with people getting their membership fees back ?

arybvtcw0eolkf

golfman wrote: »

I was a member up there and live in Artane. It seems there's a few options:
Unique Physique Kilbarrack - Only heard about it this morning - would be great if they had a website! :rolleyes:

Facebook.

nullzero

ct_roy wrote: »

Just thinking about something regarding TF Sandyford. Given the huge interest in this thread there is an obvious demand for the gym to reopen asap under new management.

Have any members actually looked into what would be involved taking over the gym and what kind of business model might work for this to happen?

Before the celtic tiger madness (and even through it to be fair) a lot of golf clubs are still thriving as they have a strong core ownership funded by membership.

Surely there's a way that WE all could make this work? The obvious issues are:

a.) Rent - Maybe Gubay would be willing to lower his rent quicker to a member cooperate quicker than Ben Dunne et al. He is a devout Catholic after all!
b.) Running the club - There's plenty of people with lots of experience in this industry looking for work right now as a result of being let go by Centre Operators.

The big issue there would be capital.
Gubay is a devout Catholic yes, but he's a hard nosed businessman too so as much as your idea is valid there would need to be quite a savvy backer for such an operation to succeed.
I'd love to see it happen though.

I went to West wood in Leopardstown this evening with my regular TF gym buddy.
We got the grand tour not to mention the sales speil.
As already stated on this thread we were told that the last few places would be gone by the close of business:rolleyes:

I understand the guy is trying to make a living so I won't slate him, but he must have taken us for a pair of idiots.
We asked how many TF members had joined since last Thursday, his answer was up to and over 70 a day( about 420 in total) .
Later in the membership office the question was repeated to which he gave a "definitive" answer which was 283 exactly, bit of a difference there.
He then told us to look into the other membership offices and told us that the people in their were hurriedly signing up as members, surely the sales people in those offices were saying the same about us:rolleyes:

Here's the thing, we then used the facility and saw a number of people we were friendly with from TF Sandyford. None of these people had signed up as WW members and some had no intention of doing so.

I know these things are to be expected and that most people here are wise to it, but knowing that about 10 to 12 former TF members were there and the majority of them weren't too pushed about joining after yer mans waffle made me laugh.

As for the facility itself, it's a lavish place, lovely and clean. The opening hours are great (closing at 11 weeknights and 9 weekends).
One issue I'd feel is a bit of a deal breaker is the cardio equipment, of which there is a lot, although I found the x trainers to be poor in comparison to the TF versions, although they were modern and well looked after.

The free weights area was dissapointing as the benches are too close to each other and the range of free weights paled in comparison to TF although what was present was very well looked after.

I know it's not really fair to compare the two places, but at the price WW are charging I'm left wondering how much value for money I'm getting when the same basic things are available in a place like Energie which isn't ideal from my point of view either, but a hell of a lot cheaper.

The search for a new gym continues.

Hanley

Ironside people... Ironside!

ando

golfman wrote: »

For me its pretty much a toss up between Northwood and Westwood but the prices are on completely different levels

Same here but €250 vs €900 (or €1399 if you include joining fee)... no competition. I miss TF

TommyKnocker

nullzero wrote: »

I know it's not really fair to compare the two places, but at the price WW are charging I'm left wondering how much value for money I'm getting when the same basic things are available in a place like Energie which isn't ideal from my point of view either, but a hell of a lot cheaper.

The search for a new gym continues.

I am a WW Clontarf member and have already posted in this thread giving my thoughts on the value for money provided by WW Clontarf., (not sure if you have seen the post, so linked above). I have never visited either of the other two WW gyms so I cannot comment on them.

ando wrote: »

Same here but €250 vs €900 (or €1399 if you include joining fee)... no competition. I miss TF

The post I mention above was in response to one of your posts regarding the cost of WW. I honestly think you are not comparing like for like.

The WW joining fee is negotiable, and I have heard that it is being waived for TF members, so €900/yr or €75/mth or €18.75/wk

For this you have access to the following, 4 power cages/squat racks, lots of assorted benches, large amount of cardio machines (rowers, X trainers, Treddies, steppers etc), good selection of weights, DB' up to 50kg, good selection of weight machines, good selection of free classes, 3 pools (kids, 25m & 50M), wet area (sauna, jacuzzi, steam room), free parking (2 car parks, 1 beside gym & overflow), decent friendly staff, spacious gym area, 160m indoor running track (round outside of Gym floor), tennis courts (not sure about squash courts), a climbing wall & good opening hours (6am-11pm weekdays & 8am-9pm w/ends)

What facilities are provided by Norwood? I know for a fact that parking is an issue and the thy gym is packed at peak times, so waiting for equipment is not unusual.

To reiterate my point from my last post, €18.75 probably would not even buy you 3 pints on a night out. I used the gym 6 days a week at peak time, so cost per visit was about €3.20. €3.20 might just about buy you a pre-packed sandwich in a newsagents, and for that price I have access to what I listed above.

IF you are going to use WW once or twice a week and stop going after 2 or 3 months, then yes, WW will work out expensive and there are much cheaper options available. However if like me you are going to be there 5-6 times a week, then honestly for the facilities available, I don't see how the prices is considered bad value for money.

Disclaimer: Once again I have no affiliation with WW Clontarf other than being a member who thinks €3.20/visit for the facilities available is good value for money.

Sprocket77

For any Total Fitness Sandyford members, I went down to the Shoreline gym in Bray last night and they're offering a free 30 day trial for any TF members. I know it seems miles away but it's just off the M11 so it's not that far really from Sandyford. At least I'm based south of Sandyford so it works for me.

The staff were courteous and seemed to know a lot of members by name to say hello to, real culture shock from someone coming from TF, they weren't pushy at all either. The facilities were nice and well maintained, just not as big as I'm used to, but I gotta get over that. Seemed well equipped though and the pool looks nice.

So I'm going to give the 30 day trial a blast. It's €495 for an annual membership and €880 for a couple so it's pretty much what I was paying in Total Fitness.

Now just fingers crossed that Mastercard come through on the chargeback rights to pay for it

Sheep Shagger

For anyone who paid with a credit card, write to your provider outlining how much you paid and when your membership was due to expire, attach the receipt and you should get a refund on a pro rata basis.

BOI have confirmed this today, their address is;

Transaction Disputes Dept
Bank of Ireland Customer Service
2nd Floor, Operations Centre
Cabinteely
Dublin 18.

I just checked out the ironside facebook page, is it more suited to the power lifter? seems like they have dumbbells and squat racks and not too much else.

Hanley

Deleted User wrote: »

I just checked out the ironside facebook page, is it more suited to the power lifter? seems like they have dumbbells and squat racks and not too much else.

Well what are you looking for?

They've a full strongman set up, so you've a lot of different cardio/circuit type options there. They've a prowler as well which is one of the most effective tools I've used for increasing cardio...

If you're looking for treadmills, cross trainers and bikes it's probably not the place for ya tho!

heyheyhey1982

smoore29 wrote: »

.... <post removed and user banned for 7 days. No spamming - especially not 4 times in one thread in 10 mins> ...

Hmm you wouldnt have also got a job while you where there?:D

First post too eh? :rolleyes:

LOLA08

hey heard about Ben Dunne saying he was opening a gym southside. is this true? he could well mean t/f in s.f. he could also be trying to get people to hold off joining other gyms. hard to know.

anyway he has not built a new gym yet on the southside, so it wont be in the near future unless it is t/f. and if it is, between legal stuff etc it wont be open for at least a year.

Hanley

Hanley wrote: »

Well what are you looking for?

They've a full strongman set up, so you've a lot of different cardio/circuit type options there. They've a prowler as well which is one of the most effective tools I've used for increasing cardio...

If you're looking for treadmills, cross trainers and bikes it's probably not the place for ya tho!

I forgot to say what id be looking for, id be interested in a gym that would suit bodybuilders primarily, so just the pictures i saw (which as it turns out are earlier pictures soon after the move) made it seem quite limited if it had just squat racks and flat benches, i have since checked the list of full equipment of the page and it looks impressive, i'm gonna check it out after work tonight

dario28

LOLA08 wrote: »

hey heard about Ben Dunne saying he was opening a gym southside. is this true? he could well mean t/f in s.f. he could also be trying to get people to hold off joining other gyms. hard to know.

anyway he has not built a new gym yet on the southside, so it wont be in the near future unless it is t/f. and if it is, between legal stuff etc it wont be open for at least a year.

He's deffo in the market for one

http://www.dublinpeople.com/content/view/3086/57/

draccount

Anybody know what is happening to the gym in "Castleknock"? Can't see what you could use that site for other than gym or storage

dario28

draccount wrote: »

Anybody know what is happening to the gym in "Castleknock"? Can't see what you could use that site for other than gym or storage

Not sure why everyone says that...remember New York started out as a swamp...im sure people were looking at that going, its just a swamp cant be anything else !