September 2025 by Duncan Robinson
New layout much better
September 2025 by Tiago Ferreira
Space is not too bad I think but, the changing rooms are indeed an issue.
So is the cleaning sprays and paper for the equipment, there are none. I'd rather clean after using them, than leave it in poor condition for the next person.
Also as some people have been mentioning, no more boxing bags, really not sure why as the space is clearly there.
And maybe a couple more assisted pull ups machines for those who are still developing or going through physio, as there's only one place to add bands on if needed afaik.
I'd appreciate the gym take action on these matters instead of only having someone thanking us for our posts below.
Take notes and fix things, else nobody is going to write a second time. People will just find another gym.
September 2025 by Aysel Niftal?yeva
The gym is amazing with a spacious area. The only issue I?ve encountered is that the internet can be unreliable on some days.
September 2025 by D
The recent upgrade at this gym is a real disappointment. The new layout is a step backward, failing to make the best use of the space. Numerous machines have been removed from the main area, meaning members are now paying the same price for less equipment.
While the addition of many squat racks is a plus for some, the overall design of other equipment is suboptimal.
Weight machines are now shoved down a corridor at random distances from one another, in an inefficient use of space. Given the gym's high membership, they could have easily added more equipment to better cater for members.
I also think it was an unusual move to introduce a segregated gym space for a gym with such a large LGBT+ membership base.
Beyond the layout, core issues remain unaddressed. The locker rooms are still in poor condition, the cleaning is subpar, and the air conditioning is consistently broken. This upgrade therefore isn't a true overhaul of the facility.
For members who are frustrated and looking for alternative spaces, I can recommend neighbouring The Gym facilities, which seems to offer more comprehensive facilities at more competitive prices.
Lastly, I'm frustrated with the management's generic email response to my feedback and anticipate a similar copy-and-paste reply to this review.
September 2025 by Sam
The air conditioning hasn?t worked for months, the refurbishment feels cheap and not well thought through regarding space. Changing rooms and toilets are always filthy - during peak and non peak times. Terrible value for money. A rather uncomfortable experience.
August 2025 by Tony Griffin
I was looking to rejoin this gym as I was a member here 8 years ago and it's a 2-minute walk from my new flat. Not anymore, sounds like its become a badly managed, badly laid out gym. Will be taking my money elsewhere!
August 2025 by Victoria Lewis
I love the women?s only space ??
First, to the men leaving 1 star reviews because there?s a women-only space: you have multiple other rooms and an entire gym floor. You?re not oppressed, you?re just inconvenienced. Tragic, I know.
Maybe instead of whining about the tiny women?s section, you could stop hogging the machines like you own the place ?
And to the ?feminists? calling these spaces useless: so women should have to experience harassment first before deserving safer options? ?
ACTUAL feminism is about choice, and letting women decide where they feel comfortable, not forcing everyone to share your preferences.
One Booty Builder in one room isn?t ?segregation?. Men have endless alternatives, and women deserve privacy without having to explain why.
Just because you haven?t faced harassment here doesn?t mean the rest of us should roll the dice.
August 2025 by James Smith
No body bag, no speed bag. Think there used to be a couple. Half the reason i joined. Also i think some ppl are gonna miss on longer ring strips. Apart from that not too bad from my perspective at a glance. I agree ppl should feel comfortable, although dont think creating restricted areas is the way to go but ok, you do you. Can we reinstate the bags please?
August 2025 by Sally (SY)
After visiting this gym again after a year, I?ve been pleasantly surprised. I am so so so grateful that there is now a Women?s only section ?? I feel so safe and motivated to go to the gym without having to fight men who hog the equipment all day. Or who stare at you as you walk down the rooms.
All the men complaining and giving 1 star reviews are absolutely disgusting and I hope they never come back. The gym is so so MASSIVE and has so many sections and machines for them to hog ? and now they want to complain about a women?s only space ?
I think they?ve used the space more efficiently. They?ve moved the cycling equipment into the studio and taken some parts of the cardio space and upper body. But you men HAVE so many bloody upper body machines in the other massive room dedicated for YOU ?? ughhh anyways. ????love you pure gym thank you x
August 2025 by GLOW STORE
Went for the grand opening to see vital key equipments being removed for 100 deadlift stations and a bunch of booty builder machines?
August 2025 by Iain Biddle
I really don?t understand how PureGym can pitch the recent works at Oval as an upgrade for all members. As a man in the gym, I now have less space to use and fewer pieces of equipment, yet I still pay the same price.
I also echo the comments of others who have pointed out that removing women to a closed off part of the gym will not protect women from harassment, (not that I?ve ever seen harassment at Oval) as much of the equipment is still in the mixed use area; it doesn?t make sense from a ?safe space? perspective so I can only assume it?s to create a ?women only? space to tap a market segment
If there are cases of harassment *of any gender* then the harassers should be excluded, not the victims segregated.
I can?t help but see this as massively damaging to what felt like an extremely inclusive and popular gym. Own goal.
Editing in response to an earlier review (see attached photo).
?Editing this after reading the bizarre agony some (mostly older white) men are in over women having a separate space.
This is exactly why we feel unsafe. because we see how you look at us, how you behave, and then how you whine when given even the smallest boundary. If only some of you understood the women in your own lives better, maybe you'd get why this matters.?
That sort of response is the reason many of us have suggested that a separate space creates division and exclusion. She?s dismissed our debate because we?re old and white .. there?s a word to describe that kind of attitude. Shame.
August 2025 by Vitória Croda
This gym used to be great, what a shame it went downhill.
As a woman and a feminist, I think the women-only space doesn?t make any sense.
1. If there are reports of harassment, PureGym should be suspending the memberships of perpetrators instead of segregating women.
2. Most women won?t stay their entire time inside the women-only space because, of course, most machines are elsewhere. This means that, if there?s harassment taking place in the gym, the exclusive space won?t sort this issue because we won?t be confined there.
Weirdly enough, I?ve noticed that PureGym included the only Booty Builder available inside this area, so men who want to train their glutes won?t use it, I guess.
3. During my last visit, I noticed that some women were video chatting with their SO in this exclusive area. So, again, useless to segregate women.
4. As some folks have mentioned, most gym members I?ve encountered are LGBTQ+. This is actually the only PureGym that I haven?t experienced any sort of harassment. I feel like the management is failing this community and kind of don?t want them training there.
Well, what a shame. I wanted to give PureGym another shot after my awful experiences at the Bermondsey branch. I guess I?m cancelling my membership soon.
August 2025 by Thomas Galvin
Want to pay full price for half a gym? Do you love sharing a grand total of four benches between all of your fellow gym goers in Kennington and Oval? Do you like to pick a dumbbell weight at random because half of the equipment is being taken in a room you're not allowed into, and then wind down by taking a shower in a room that smells like a wastewater treatment plant? Look no further than the Oval Puregym!
August 2025 by Black Arm
Before the new layout was quite nice and spacious, I went this late night and now it?s just a big no!!!!
Machine are super close to each other and placed in a quite random and confusing way.
The AC it?s turned off, making the air in the whole place so stuffy and steamy other than stinky like a horse stable?.. absurdly the hair is much more fresh and breathable in the chancing room, that no one use (since people apparently isn?t educated in the use of soap and deodorant as well as personal hygiene in public spaces).
Shame it has become one of the worst branch??. Much much better Lambeth and Picadilly branches.
August 2025 by Jonas Bianchet
Update: Noticed that many machines have been removed from the main area and moved into the women?s workout space without being replaced. What a big disservice this gym as done to everyone.
I am beyond disappointed with PureGym Oval right now. The gym has been an absolute mess since the refurbishment started ? it feels like a construction site rather than a place to work out. What?s worse is that they?ve completely closed off the big weights room, which was the heart of this gym for serious lifters. Instead, they?ve left us with just some random dumbbells scattered around and a total of THREE benches for what is easily one of the busiest gyms in London.
It?s impossible to get a proper workout with so little equipment available, and they still expect full membership fees for this reduced experience? Absolutely unacceptable. If you?re someone who actually cares about lifting weights and having space to train, I?d strongly advise looking elsewhere until they fix this mess.
