THE UNIVERSITY SPORTS CENTRE
The university gym may not be the most glamourous of places but it is more than functional. With the gym dedicating the upstairs almost entirely to cardio-vascular workout machines you will never need to queue for a tread-mill.
Unfortunately this focus on cardio works to the detriment of strength training as the gym has not invested quite so heavily in as large an array of weight machines. However, with the majority of students visiting the gym in order to improve their general fitness rather than engage in substantial body-building the sports centre seems to have found the right mix for their demographic.
The clean and simple décor makes for a comfortable if bland atmosphere and the eclectic mix of fitness levels means that you need never feel out of place. While many students make the mistake of assuming that the university facilities would be the cheapest in York they couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality Ebor Fitness and Atlanta Gym are the better economical option but for proximity to campus you obviusly can’t beat the Sport’s Centre. At £50 for 3 months and a compulsary one off payment of £40 for memership to York Sport the university gym can cost upto £190 per year, a little bit a of stretch for some student budgets.
EBOR
Situated deep in the heart of a grim industrial estate just off Fulford Road the Ebor Fitness gym is exactly what you’d expect: a real spit ‘n’ sawdust affair. The gym inevitably boasts an impressive array of weights machines all housed within the rough and ready breeze-block walls. I had expected to be surrounded by henched men all competing to ‘bench’ more than the other but I was plesantly surprised to find a far more inclusive gym. There was an equal mix of males and females with ages ranging anwhere between 18 and 40+. The apparent intimdiating atmosphere was also thankfully lacking.
Ebor advertise themselves as the cheapest gym in York and I’m inclined to agree; at only £150 for an entire year’s membership they make a compelling argument. One more feather to Ebor’s cap is their showers. Many would consider this a minor point but I can assure you that they would change their opinion after enjoying one this gym’s power showers.
EMPERORS
With a special student price of £264 for a year’s membership. In terms of the weights facilities on offer it is not greatly advanced from what is available in the sports centre. However the addition of a Hydro Pull is welcome.
On a pulsating hangover, at the beginning of a Vision weekend, Emperors was just the tonic for kick-starting what could have been a painful day. The only drawback to this friendly and pleasant gym is its distance from the residential hub of student life. it is at least a 20 minute walk from the Hull Road area, and around 45 minutes from campus. Its as much a workout getting there as it is using the facilities. The Emperors website boasts, “Our equipment range is second to none inside the walls of city of York” – whilst this may not strictly be true, Emperors certainly offers a well kitted out, value for money alternative to the university gym.
DAVID LLOYD
Although situated within sight of Alcuin College- David Lloyd couldn’t seem further away from our loan restrained, University bound lives.
Entering through the swanky hotel like bar and restaurant, one is lead through the changing rooms and into the pool area, complete with steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi, oh and lets not forget the jaw-droopingly plush outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. With real fitness in mind – upstairs theirs a sprawling aerobics and weights section, and an electronic climbing wall.
Sounds unmissable right? Well with student memberships at £55 a month, and all memberships being 12 month compulsory, it is not cheap. One trick is to go for an off-peak membership – £48 for restricted entrance hours, or even better go for the ‘couples’ off peak membership -£43.
The Facilities areluxurious, but with a hole being constantly burned in your pocket, membership may be a little too much for your wallet.
ATLANTA GYM
Located a fair distance out of town at the heart of a seemingly derelict industrial estate, Atlanta Health and Fitness appears more likely to host burly Yorkshiremen in high-viz jackets scoffing full English breakfasts than treadmills and rowing machines.
The walls are covered with pictures of bronzed-up body builders and the sound system pumps out drum and bass at a volume Fibbers only dreams of. Looks, however, can be very deceiving. The owners are extremely friendly and welcoming, and the gym itself boasts a wide-range of equipment for both cardiovascular and muscle work.
For those looking to do more weights than cardio, Atlanta provides more for your money than the University gym, with an array of weight machines. The downside to Atlanta is that being so far out of town you need to own a car in order to visit regularly. However, the hassle of driving is lessened by the membership price of just £23 a month for students, with the bonus of a membership block in the holidays.