Harbour Club… worth the fees?! Post Reply

[btcmum]

Contemplating joining the Harbour Club as our youngest recently started nursery and I finally have a bit of time to myself again!!

Is anyone here a member and would you recommend it? Not big on swimming (personally) but thinking the children can do lessons there and looking to enlist the help of a PT to get me going in the gym, as well as doing a few classes….

Would love to hear from anyone who is a regular visitor! Thanks. x

[Polster21]

Exactly what I was about to post. Going for a look round on Friday, but can't quite work out if I can justify the money! Currently a member of virgin active in clapham, but my daughter hates the creche and I hate the parking situation so never go! Grateful for any insight!

[ally30_1998]

I looked at the harbour club when I was investigating gyms. It is slightly more expensive than Virgin Active and of course you can park and there is a decent pool, and if you want to be able to take your kids then it's probably your best bet in terms of a high quality location.
I used to be a member at Virgin Clapham but switched due to a job change and now to go Smugglers Way Virgin. The pool at smugglers way is very nice (it used to be esporta's flagship club apparently). However if you are not interested in swimming none of this matters. FWIW, I think the spa facilites are far nicer at Clapham as steam room is in the female showers, whereas it's shared poolside at Smugglers Way. That said, the latter has two quite large jacuzzis whereas Clapham has one small jacuzzi.
The day someone sinks some capital in to a decent gym,spa and pool in the Clapham junction area, I will be the first to sign up for membership!

[Muddlemoo]

Honestly don't do it! We were a member for a year and it was the worst money we ever spent. You can never park,unless you get there approx 30 mins before a class you can never get a place as people send their nannies into queue and so I could go on. It really is a glorified gym. I know people say the tennis is good and it is but actually I've joined a leage on Wandsworth common which is much more friendly and just as good.

I wish I had joined Virgin on smugglers way which people say is great and half the price!

[BFW]

Great swimming and tennis lessons for kids! I spent a lot of time in the kids pool and restaurant / play areas when my two were younger. I actually really enjoyed it!!! I only gave up my membership because I went back to work snd I just wasn't using it enough. I am now a member of a grotty gym under my office I the city!!

Still the best kids swimming lessons in the area in my opinion. I didn't use thd crèche much so I can't really comment on that am afraid.

But yes...it's expensive!!

[BFW]

Sorry I should have added that I always thought the classes were great especially spinning and yoga .

Hope this helps!

[Geegee007]

Agree with BFW - and for me the crèche has been great and the kids swimming lessons excellent. I'm mainly a gym user, with the odd class.
The gym never feels too busy - it is always possible to use the machine you require. Most of the mainstream classes are included in your membership. For instance it is possible to do Pilates every week day if you so desired.
Spin in the mornings can be a bun fight to book in for, but I understand that they are trying to improve this.
The only negative for me facilities wise is that they need to renovate the changing rooms/ showers. They are old and tired. The restaurant area was upgraded last summer and is quite nice now. The menu is healthy.
Yes, you have to be organised booking ahead with tennis courts and the crèche and between 9-11am weekdays the parking can be difficult, but there is always Sainsbury's car park 2 mins walk away (free for 2 hours).
They seem quite keen for new members at the moment so I'm sure you can really push them for a deal on joining fees, freebies at the spa, etc.
Off peak membership (Mon-Fri only) is considerably cheaper than peak. I guess it depends on when you want to use it. You can also add your children just for a month and then cancel which can be handy for school holidays.

[btcmum]

Thank you for all of your responses - really helpful!! x

[jennyb<3]

hi muddlemoo, slightly off topic but icouldn't help notice that you mentioned you had joined a tennis league up at wandsworth common. please could you send me details? is it easy to join?

thanks, Jen

[AllStarTennis]

Hello All (and of course, Muddlemoo and jennyb<3)

Muddlemoo - thank you for your kind comments and letting people know about the Wandsworth Tennis League. Did you see we've just started a doubles tennis Wandsworth Tennis League as well as running the singles league?

All details for the League are on our website at http://www.allstartennis.co.uk/tennisleague. The League is for all abilities and the lovely Sally & Nigel, who manage the League for us, will assess your ability and group you with similar people (be honest!). Each round is 8 weeks (in the singles league) and it's up to you to arrange each match with your group members. You can play anywhere that is convenient for both players. All Star have 28 courts around Wandsworth Borough (hint hint). The next singles League starts on 7th May (sign up now) and the next doubles league in June.

All Star Tennis also have a host of tennis opportunities for adults and juniors. All abilities. We offer term long coaching courses, individual coaching as well as drop-in (social and cardio) sessions, which for some, are easier with child-care arrangements.

We've also got some new workshops running this Summer (http://www.allstartennis.co.uk/adultsunday.php) and the return of Tennis Tuesdays.

Have a look at the options on our website http://www.allstartennis.co.uk, give us a ring on 020 8871 4706 or drop by to our tennis centre in Wandsworth Common for a coffee and a chat.

Hope to see you on Court sometime soon.

[dudette]

We bought life memberships ten years ago. They were expensive at the time but we don't have to pay monthly fees and they've probably saved us thousands over the years. It's been refurbished recently and looks a lot better although I agree the changing rooms could have nicer showers - although I like the Aromatherapy Associates products. The spa pool area is to die for - really luxurious. The kids pool is fab too - shallow and very warm so ideal for little ones. The gym is also great although PTs are quite pricey. The cafe is nice but gets crowded and very noisy at kids tea times - there's a separate adults section though which is quiet. You could probably wangle a week's free membership in the summer hols if you want to try it.

[Balhammumof2]

If anybody is interested in joining then please PM me as we are selling our membership at the HC. Thank you

[btcmum]

Have just sent you a PM Balhammumof2……..

[alwaysbusy]

We are also selling a membership (similar situation to that mentioned by someone else, I went back to work full time and just don't have the time to take the kids there anymore). If anyone is interested in buying a membership please PM me.

Thanks

[tatters]

I also used to be a member at HC, and am now at Virgin Clapham. The car park is a bit of a nightmare there, you need to allow time to get a space before specific classes. The crèche is great, and both of mine loved it. The classes and swimming for kids is second to none for variety and scale. The kids lessons were brilliant. It is quite snooty, but if you know people there that should be fine. I find Virgin friendly generally, but the facilities overall at HC are better. Just depends if you can cope with the added price and car park situation.
I also am selling a membership, so please PM me if you are interested.

Thanks X