Our first stop and first episode of Life Behind Bars blogan series was Anytime Fitness, Haven Road in Colchester.
For a starter: The Gym has parking. Yaaay!
The entrance looked nice and welcoming and I think the member area was cool but there were no lockers, only shelves with baskets to store your bag and clothes in.
Rayaan made his point about not having a locker in a gym (no changing area) not helping you to have a peace of mind while you do your workout, I have to agree with him in this.
Rayaan and I both expected a bigger place however it was nicely organised and if not too busy during the time you go its should be fine.
The member area was connected with the Cardio area with the few treadmills and the row machines.
Spinning or bicycles are upstairs in the studio room, which I think the room is awesome and it’s cool because that room can be yours for a group workout or yoga or anything using your own music. But I’m not sure I could go in if someone has a class there but I do like to do spin for warm up or a proper cycling session. (Definitely liked the fact that the smaller workout accessories are available like more steps or jumping rope and more mapts).
I think the type of equipments was okay. For all the weight training you can find everything you need.
The glute machine was interesting I never got to use one of those before and if you know me you know #EveryDayIsABumDay :).
Only one step machine was in the building (oh Pam) which can be difficult and emotional when I would not be able to use it because it’s taken – sometimes I go to gym just to spend a bit time with Pam and go.
However of you do like HIIT training sessions there is not much space to do that or you have to go up and down to change equipments in your circuit.
As I mentioned already if the gym has its peak time it can be difficult to workout because there are no duplicated equipments which means you always have to wait for your turn.
I did love the corner with the boxing bag the fact that there are stuff available to use like belt for deadlifts or weighted dips etc..
Or the small studio room upstairs with 2 bench and weights and a cable machine.
In general the gym is okay. I’m sure all equipments available for all type of workouts.
But I’d not like to be there and do my sessions when its peak time. The place a bit small which can give a nice family feeling but when it s gets busy can be a bit overwhelming and could be feel claustrophobic.
Rayaan made his point of not being impressed by the showers as because (if I recall) there were two unisex toilet/shower/changing room only. And again of its peak time you might have to wait quiet a long time for your turn.
His favourite bit was the water fountain 🙂 … easy to please….
Price wise, they have couple and student discounts but for the price I think there are better gyms with bigger space,more equipments and other benefits. Monthly price is £30+ (can’t remember exactly), but there is a free trial pass and maybe for all gym is free three day trial pass, which I think a nice call. The key fob you get with your membership is works with ALL Anytime Fitness gym, which I think one of the best benefit of all. No need to extra pay if you move or just being away for a few days or week.
I think my search won’t stop just yet.
Anytime Fitness it’s not a bad gym but maybe it’s all different a bit from another depends on the building as well.
Our next stop will be PUMP GYM, Colchester.
To be honest this little blogan series is actually fun and very interesting to be able to get to try different gyms.
Our workouts a bit unorganised as because we never been in those gyms and hard to stay still when you wanna try equipment what you never got to try before.
But I’m sure a couple of visits and we find our way to our training.
We are doing lots of videos too which I decided to edit them separate and put them out later.
The pictures are not edited as you can see but the whole point is to share our experience as it is.
Stay tuned and don’t miss our next stop.
Peace&Love
Miti & Rayaan