The Play Centre at Edmonton Leisure

I rarely leave negative reviews, but after being a member since this gym opened, I feel people deserve to know what the experience has really been like. The biggest issue isn't the gym itself—it's the management. This gym is often empty, yet membership fees have continued to increase despite no meaningful improvements. We were repeatedly told that more classes would be added, particularly afternoon and weekend sessions, but that has never happened. Instead, the timetable remains very limited. Weekend classes finish early, the gym closes early, and there are very few options for people who work during the week. For the price being charged, the timetable and opening hours simply do not offer good value. Classes are cancelled far too often, and members regularly turn up only to find there is no instructor. On one Saturday, around 10 of us arrived for a scheduled class only to discover nobody had turned up. There was no email, no notification on the app, and no member of staff came to explain what was happening. We were simply left waiting. Management's response was that instructors are responsible for arranging cover. However, it is ultimately management's responsibility to ensure members are informed and that classes are properly managed. Paying members should never arrive at a cancelled class without any communication. The gym instructors have always been the best part of this gym. They genuinely care about members and work hard to deliver excellent sessions. Sadly, three instructors have already left since the gym opened, which raises serious concerns about how staff are being managed. It is a real shame because they were the reason many of us stayed. Communication has been poor from the beginning. I have raised concerns several times and even submitted formal complaints, yet the same issues continue. Despite cancelled classes and members making wasted journeys, no goodwill gesture or compensation has ever been offered. Better Gym needs to stop increasing prices and start improving its service. Better communication, more classes, longer opening hours, and better support for both members and instructors would make a significant difference. Until then, I cannot recommend this gym.

· via Google

Centre is massively improved after the closure and works that have been done to improve it are done to a high standard. New dry side changing rooms, gym, alongside the poolside are brilliant. Sauna and steam been reinstated as well. Staff friendly and helpful - if you want a full leisure facility experience, check it out if you are in the area.

· via Google

This is by far the most amateurish, unprofessional, and unhelpful place I have ever encountered. They are incapable of providing accurate information to their members, and the staff clearly have no knowledge about pricing or membership plans. They give misleading information, causing members to suffer financial losses, and then refuse to help resolve the issues. Their official app is a complete disaster as well. I strongly recommend staying away from this place. If you value your time and money, avoid it at all costs. I would never recommend it to anyone.

· via Google

The staff are friendly, approachable, and always happy to help. I used to be a member here years ago, and you can really tell how much effort has gone into improving the centre and making it welcoming for everyone. I believe manager Amy has played a massive part in this — her passion for the centre really stands out. She always greets people with a smile and is consistently enthusiastic and welcoming. Definitely one of the best leisure centres I’ve been to.

· via Google