The New Year is well under way and for many people, that marks the beginning of a fitness kick after a season of festive indulgence.
Whether the aim is to lose weight, improve health or even complete a fitness challenge like a half marathon, it's easy to see why the gym is a great place to start during the cold and dark month of January. But when everyone has the same idea, you'll often find that gyms are packed at peak times as a result of a surge in new members at the start of the year.
This means that picking the right gym for your needs is even more important to ensure you get the most from your workout. That's why we have rounded up the top rated gyms in Newcastle, according to Google reviews.
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Gym goers in the city have highlighted what they love about their training sessions and what can be improved. Hopefully, their feedback will help those looking to sign up to a gym to kick start their fitness journey for 2023.
Let's see what they have to say:
PureGym Newcastle St James
92-96 St James' Boulevard.
Open 24 hours, this chain gym racked up 4.4 stars out of five from a total of 326 reviews. Members praised it for being spacious and affordable.
Membership gives unlimited use of the gym, daily exercise classes and changing facilities, seven days a week.
Esmaeil Malihi said: "Frankly speaking, Pure Gym should be considered as one of the best in the UK, although there are some cons which could be improved. The facilities and devices are good and the price is affordable at £17.99 per month.
"Something that could be an issue is the times in which people should do exercise without staff's observation."
Olivia Ketchell wrote: "Always loved this gym, been going here for years. Will always recommend for access, space, equipment, cleanliness, and an overall great place to exercise."
Dorian Kiss said: "Good experience in my few visits so far, but I think they ought to allocate more space for heavy barbell lifting and weight lifting in general as this is very popular at this gym. They have a huge area full of cardio machines that seem to barely get used, but the weight lifting area is relatively busy, and yet there is more space allocated to cardio machines.
"In general, people appear to be using the cardio machines to warm up and warm down around their weight-lifting workout."
The Gym Group Newcastle City
Basement Floor, South Tower Entrance, Newgate Street.
This is another 24-hour gym that was rated 4.3 out of five by 263 reviewers. It has been praised by users for its knowledgeable staff.
Membership gives unlimited use of the gym, daily exercise classes and changing facilities, seven days a week.
P M said: "Good gym, quite spacious and decent equipment. It can get a bit crowded at times but you can use their app to check how many people are in the gym"
Mark Travels wrote: "The staff are amazing here, knowledgeable with regards to the equipment and also some are available as personal trainers. The kit here is like the other gyms and lots of it."
Frank Jude said: "This Newgate Street gym is excellent. There is a good variety of equipment, it is clean and there is a friendly atmosphere. Thoroughly enjoy my sessions there."
PureGym Eldon Garden
Eldon Garden Shopping Centre, Percy Street.
Newcastle has a number of PureGym branches for members to choose from but some are more highly rated than others. This 24-hour Eldon Garden branch has a slightly lower rating than its sister gym on St James' Boulevard but is offers three floors of equipment and is a great location for students.
It was rated 4.1 out of five by 251 reviewers who praised it for its vast size and cleanliness.
Membership gives unlimited use of the gym, daily exercise classes and changing facilities, seven days a week.
AF2 said: "Fine gym mixed (males and females). Easily accessed, clean, and has almost everything you need to do your exercises.
"It has three stories filled with all kinds of machines and weights."
Lin Cheng wrote: "The location of this PureGym is convenient for students living nearby. It is about a 10-minute walk to Newcastle University and a two-minute walk to the Elton Square bus/coach station.
"There are three floors in total. First for cardio, second for free weights, and third for functional. The changing room and equipment placement can be improved because one might need to cross floors when finishing a set of training plans.
"This PureGym is busier than some of the other PureGyms I went to during the weekend in terms of free weight/resistance training."
Qais Abujaber said: "This is a fantastic gym, great range of kit, three floors, unfortunately, there is no free car park."
BodyZone Ladies Fitness
9-11 Carliol Square.
It is open Monday to Thursday from 7am to 9pm and on Friday from 7am to 8pm. Saturday from 9am to 5.30pm and Sunday from 9am to 3pm.
This independent gym is for women and has female staff. Membership gives unlimited use of the gym, daily exercise classes and changing facilities, seven days a week.
Members praised the gym for promoting body positivity and its focus on women's health and rated it 4.4 out of five with 129 reviews.
Kaz H said: "Best gym I’ve been to. Very friendly staff, lots of equipment, great classes and it’s really cheap.
"The gym has a great atmosphere and promotes body positivity. Would recommend this gym to anyone."
Rebecca Gavigan wrote: "Very happy to support a long-established independent gym.
"I’ve been using this gym for a few years and the price includes all classes (including my favourite spin class) and a sauna.
"The new changes the gym have made to focus on woman’s health and fitness has made me feel more comfortable in the new space and confident to try new classes too."
Zain Ayoob said: "Amazing gym and great staff!"
The Gym Group Newcastle East
24 Benton Road.
The 24-hour gym chain's branch on Benton Road also ranked highly at 4.5 out of five with 252 reviews. Users praised its facilities and app that can be used to see how busy the gym was.
Membership gives unlimited use of the gym, daily exercise classes and changing facilities, seven days a week.
Jordan Witcombe said: "Decent sized gym with multiple benches and busy machines which means that even during peak hours waiting is kept to a minimal. Good selection of machines as for both weights and cardio.
"Only downside is that compared to some other gyms the facilities are somewhat limited. Although for the price this isn’t the biggest issue and can quite easily be overlooked.
"Free three hour parking on site as well which is really useful."
Robert Taggart wrote: "Excellent value gym with plenty of high-quality weight machines, free weights, and cardio equipment. Can be pretty busy around peak times but what gym isn't?
"The app does provide live updates of the gym capacity though so you can always pick a quieter time to go."
Sellingtowin said: "Positives are friendly staff, plenty of equipment and good opening hours, clean shower and changing areas.
"Negative is that it's very busy after 5pm until 6.30pm from Monday to Friday."
Olympia Gym
Redburn Road, Westerhope.
Open Monday to Thursday from 6am to 8.30pm, Friday from 6am to 8pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 2pm.
The gym offers a large variety of free weights, resistance machines and a cardiovascular room. It also offers personal training services and a variety of classes.
It was rated 4.8 out of five from 77 reviews with users praising the helpful staff.
Ruby Aujla said: "I had heard about this gym before I got there and I wasn't disappointed. The equipment is of great quality and you can notice the difference.
"The coach was very helpful and approachable. I am excited to take my colleagues with me to begin the New Year!"
Thomas Davison wrote: "Really good gym. Dumbells could do with updating/kept in better order but that's down to members as well.
"The weekend opening hours are the biggest issue for me, 9am especially on a Saturday is a late start if you have any sort of plans relatively early considering it also shuts at 2pm."
Kyle Seymour said: "Moved to Olympia a few months ago and it was the best decision that I've made within the last few months. The equipment is great and the staff are sound.
"If you're looking to move gyms or start brand new then Olympia is the place to be."
CrossFit Tyneside
Ouse Street, Byker.
Open from 6.30am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm on Saturday, and 9am to 3pm on Sunday.
It scored 4.8 out of five with 96 reviews. The gym offers CrossFit training that sees members take part in a variety of intense interval training sessions. Users praised the gym for its like-minded community of members.
Kane Lackenby said: "The equipment, community, staff and location are all unbelievable. Best gym I've ever been to."
Philly Blackett commented: "This place is just amazing, a great community of like-minded people and so welcoming to newbies like myself. The training and facilities are fantastic"
Nerea Zubieta said: "Great facilities, great coaches, great environment! Best workout vibes ever."
David Lloyd Newcastle
Castles Farm Road, South Gosforth.
Open 6am to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 7am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Different membership options offer use of the gym, swimming pool, spa, racquets courts, and exercise classes.
It scored 4.2 out of five with 135 reviews and members praised the family-friendly facilities.
Paul Thompson said: "Great overall experience. You pay a premium, but this does include quite a lot of extras including pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, fresh towels.
"The classes are good, just have to book well in advance as they are popular. The place is always clean and tidy, café has a great selection of food options including vegetarian/vegan.
"Staff are very polite and friendly as well as the other members I've spoken to, just overall a good vibe and experience."
Saskia Rak said: "I love this gym! Has everything and more, the classes are great and the people and staff are lovely."
Aswini Dasika said: "Good family health club. Tennis with indoor courts, swimming indoor pool, gym, table tennis, badminton and a restaurant."
Men At Work
271 Two Ball Lonnen, Fenham.
Open from 7am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 7am to 8pm Friday, 9am to 4pm on Saturday and 9am to 2pm on Sunday.
It scored 4.8 out of 5 with 75 reviews. The unisex gym offers a range of membership plans, facilities and classes.
Users have praised its staff and the friendly members.
Joni Rashi said: "I joined the gym 2010 and don’t want to move somewhere else. I really like the gym, the nice staff and some members are very friendly."
John Walker wrote: "Great place, best around, well equipped and maintained, staff 100%."
Badal Mohammed commented: "Been training here for some time and have to say the best gym in the North East by far. Everyone is friendly and will help you with anything. At Men At Work we are family...we stick as one. Come give it a try and I promise you will love the gym."
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