GIRLS - CAMPERDOWN FITNESS HAS GHD'S IN THEIR CHANGEROOMS…read more
If this first sentence isn't a game-changer for you, then this review may be helpless. But for me, this was the little feature that had me asking "So where do I sign up?"
The gym in itself is pretty nice. One giant warehouse style room, the gym is filled with a plentiful supply of cardio machines (treadmills, X-trainers, bikes and steps), and four spacious weights divisions dedicated to working different parts of the body - back, arms, legs and free weights. Upstairs is a stretching room and a ladies only area. Whilst I appreciate the idea of a ladies only area, this section of the gym is by far its worst. Whereas the rest of the gym is filled with light and is bouncing with music coming from the plasma screen dancing with trashy video clips (or the news, if you so choose), the ladies room is dark, dingy and quiet, with no speakers meaning that the only sound is that that manages to make its way upstairs from the downstairs speakers.
Camperdown Fitness also offers your regular gym classes (Boxing, Spin, Yoga, etc.) which are included in your membership, and the trainers are mostly pretty good. Also, whilst you take some time for yourself in a yoga class, your kids can wait in the kid's playroom in the room next door. All the staff have always got a smile for you and seem to know when you don't want to be approached, so there's no fear of them coming and offering unwanted advice. In saying that, they are also helpful if you need them to be, and a few free Personal Training sessions are included in any membership.
But, all this aside, Camperdown Fitness has GHDs in the ladies change-rooms. This means not having to go home between gym and work, gym and date, or gym and any further plans. Alternatively, it also means not having to carry your hair straightener around with you all day or risking leaving it behind.
Camperdown Gym is the kind of gym that you want to go back to. It's clean, bright, spacious and motivating. The music isn't as terrible as it could be, the staff are great, and you can flick through the tvs at your leisure when on the cardio machines. Giant fans blast you in summer and icy-cold bubblers are dotted around the gym. Mirrors line every wall, so you're able to keep check on your own form whilst watching others without getting caught out. The main negative point is that its large glass front walls are positioned directly in front of a bus stop, so every person on Parramatta Rd is watching whilst you slog it out, running and sweating, flushed and panting. But hey, they can judge all they like - at least you're exercising.
