DW Fitness First Blackburn

It's so unlike many of the gyms I've been to before. The steam room is fantastic. There are two spa's to relax in and the overall layout is really spacious. The staff are really friendly and helpful. Especially the assistant manager Sara Doyle.

Decent facilities but generally the gym is poorly maintained with dirty toilets/changing rooms/showers. Steam room still not got enough and showers are push button which is poor for a private gym at this price.

Members disrespect the place by parking in disabled bays, leaving stubble all over sinks, destroying the toilets and NEVER putting the free weights or other equipment back.

The paper towel to clean equipment is regularly out and therefore the equipment is wet with other people's and sometimes through no fault of my own, my sweat.

The refurb was excellent and equipment is first class but due to all the factors I should take as granted but unfortunately don't I have decided to cancel my membership after many years to join a gym that values customer service despite having less equipment.

This gym is in an excellent location if you work and live near Royal Blackburn Hospital. It also has a good range of equipment. However, that’s where the positives end. Without the NHS discount it is extortionately expensive. It gets very busy and they do not have sufficient equipment, washing facilities and lockers for the number of members. The hot tubs are not hot - barely warm and the steam room is pointless - again these are supposed to be warm aren’t they? Worst of all the changing rooms are filthy, dirt all over the floors and the staff are rarely seen cleaning them. Paint is falling from the ceilings in the pool area. Really the only part of the complex up to scratch is the shop they have upstairs. But like I said it is the convenience to the hospital and the NHS discount that makes it bearable.

The equipment is excellent, except from the steam room. This is more of a wet room, as it doesn't give out any steam. The office staff are friendly and the instructors are amazing! The cleanliness of the changing rooms, shower rooms and the steam room are very poor. They would definitely benefit from having a full time cleaner, the floors look like they haven't been mopped in months/years. Apart from this a great overall gym.

This place has over the years most definitely declined in service, hygiene and cleanliness. I have seen the gradual decline with this gym from when i started 6 years ago to the current poor, poor standards. It is very disappointing to see this when we pay so much money a month, highest in Blackburn. I enjoyed this gym once open a time and talked very highly of.

1) Machines are constantly out of order (stepper). Repair times are unbelievable as apose to before.

2) Disabled bathroom shower has now been broken for months.

3) Disabled bathroom door lock does not function every so often for long periods of time.

4) Steam room should not be called the steam room. There is hardly any steam generated. So much time is wasted waiting for the room to steam for the short duration it does for.

5) Steam room floor and wall tiles are dirty and slimy. Very unhygienic.

6) Jacuzzi floor well is constantly dirty with a build up of hair etc.

7) Massive reduction in cleaning and maintenance staff.

It seems as there has been massive cuts with cleaning and maintenance staffing in this place. There were times when cleaning staff were regularly cleaning machines, floors, changing rooms, spa area through out the day which maintained the excellent high standards then. Machines and broken equipment were repaired rapidly by maintenance engineers.

It is very disappointing to see such a massive drop in standards, especially when I've seen the good times here. Unfortunately it is clear what has happened here, there is more focus on recruiting new gym members and increasing revenue only whilst working on bare minimum.

Equipment:
The equipment is modern and very easy/safe to use however they don't have many useful machines like other gyms. The number of users at one machine can reach five people at peak time.

Price:
Price is okay, but rather deceiving with offers just to get you signed up.

Main issue:
Peak times are way too busy and the average workout can take you three hours just waiting for machines. The staff don't care because they are just interested in signup numbers. As a gym it's not functional and I would certainly not recommend, there are much better gyms in Blackburn than DW.

Really gone down hill in the last 6 months. They focus on sales but no focus on maintenance. Water fountain broken and not fixed for weeks. Staff always hiding in staff room.... no one taking responsibilities for broken equipment and facilities. Premium price for a very poorly maintained gym. Lacking basic water, hygeine, and pointless steam room. Worst dw gym in the country... others are much better.

By far the best fitness club in Blackburn. Best in Darwen has to be Boss Fitness

Clean, tidy, friendly staff, lovely swimming pool and Jacuzzi.

Too many budget gyms like Pure gym and JD sports... (not worth the pennies).. would much rather pay more for quality!

Fitness classes are the best and they have the best Fitness instructor in the region too! Go see for yourself!