Bannatyne Avis 

I had my swimming lessons at the Colchester health club center and eventually joined as a member because I found it a lovely place to be. The first day I walked in, I found it was a very well kept place with very cordial staff.

The gym could be better facilitated with more modern equipment….exercise bands, skipping ropes, leg and ankle weights…. options for consideration…
There is a definite need for a designated stretch area to warm up/down with an increase in deep foam rollers and mats……
A more visible presence and assistance from qualified gym personnel would be welcome…

The gym is so lovely. Staff very nice and nothing is too much trouble.

Great Staff Great Members Great Facilities Great Hygiene Conststantly cleaning.

Made loads of friends in the past 7 years.

I personally love the place always made to feel welcome.

It was pretty good tbf i got a good pump

Always a lovely welcome, great facilities and a relaxed atmosphere

All very good really the instructors are friendly approachable and knowledgeable the classes good gym well equipped usually not too busy good equipment

Gym is nice and clean with a good range of equipment ,a small point ,the background music ,perhaps a wider play list ,it can be predictable .

Don't believe their virtual tour! I signed up to Bannatyne Eastbourne expecting a premium gym experience based on their marketing and virtual tour. Unfortunately, the reality has been very different.

The facilities are outdated, and cleanliness has been more than disappointing.

The “one month free” offer gave the impression of a trial, but this was actually part of a 12-month contract, which was not clearly communicated, and I found myself trapped.

What was most disappointing was the overall customer experience. They are clearly happy to take people's money, making it extremely difficult for people to cancel.

The club is great and I love every aspect of it except one thing… they don’t serve decaf coffee!! Crazy to think a health club doesn’t serve decaffeinated drinks. It’s a Starbucks too and they make great decaf. That’s the only downside. Come on Bannatyne’s!!! Get with it!

Great gym friendly staff as are the gym goers. Only have to wait for short periods on the odd occasion for equipment during busy periods.

What lovey staff they have . The spa manager was so nice and friendly . Well worth booking a treatment very good prices and relaxing .
I recommend treating yourself at the spa

My main complaint was the steam room. The handle on the door was filthy and the walls outside were covered in grime. It should be kept spotless and a fresh coat of paint would really brighten it up.

Lounge couches could be used in the wet areas outside the swimming pool steam and sauna rooms.

The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly. Perhaps moving the towel dispenser away from the equipment would prevent members from intruding on each other’s personal space.

My membership start date needs to be honoured in the Bannatyne database.

Great staff Great gym 🏋️‍♀️

Staff are friendly and helpful. Yoga classes are good and for different levels. The gym could do with a deep clean. There is a lot of accumulated dust on lights etc. The male changing area and showers are tired and could do with a refit asap. Good pool and steam room, never too busy.

I want to start by saying I may have been slightly generous with my rating (it's closer to 3.5 stars), but I’ve tried to give a fair and balanced view by outlining both the positives and the negatives.

This Health Center is marketed as a high-spec leisure centre, offering a gym, spa facilities, and a beauty salon. It is set in a beautiful historic building with lovely surroundings, and the overall atmosphere when you walk in is genuinely impressive. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and there is also a nice café on-site.

However, the café closes quite early (around 4–5pm), and food service stops even earlier, which is disappointing for those wanting to use the facilities later in the day or in the evening.

The gym itself is clean and well-maintained, but the equipment is very dated and VERY basic. There are many cheaper gyms that offer far more modern and innovative equipment. If you train regularly, this is definitely an area that needs improvement and updating.

The spa facilities are the highlight of this place. They are located in the basement and offer a very relaxing atmosphere. That said, the jacuzzi is often not heated properly in the evenings, and the steam room is occasionally out of order. For a premium membership, you would expect all facilities to be fully operational until closing time.

Weekends are another downside. The facility appears to oversell guest passes, making it extremely busy on Saturdays and Sundays. It can be almost impossible to access the sauna or jacuzzi, which is frustrating for paying members. Weekday evenings are by far the best time to visit.

The beauty salon is beautifully presented and has a nice atmosphere, but unfortunately, the treatments are overpriced for what you receive.
For example, a “30-minute” massage often amounts to only around 15 minutes of actual treatment time once consultation and changing are factored in. For the same price elsewhere, you could receive a much longer and better-value treatment.

Overall, I have rated this place 4 stars mainly because of the stunning building, surroundings, and overall atmosphere. However, the gym equipment needs updating, and there are several areas where the value for money and service could be significantly improved.

Everyone is helping you there and keeps everything nice and tidy

It’s great to be back. The staff have been very welcoming and my free PT session was very useful.

I returned to Bannatyne after a 10-year break and much deliberation. However, this time I'm accessing it differently. Last time I swam and used the machines, but lacked motivation. This time I've tried a few classes and enjoyed them all. Other members are friendly and happy to help. The staff welcome you with a hello and are there to support you. I missed this personal touch at budget gyms. The pool is beautiful, and I love the cafe with Starbucks coffee. Ultimately, I look forward to going, which makes it worth the expense and is the whole point of joining a gym.