September 2025 by Ian Bartlett
Hi Marc,
Thanks very much for your personal reply ? I really appreciate you taking the time to respond directly. I?m glad to hear you?re already looking into the atmosphere and especially the music in the gyms, as that?s what had become the biggest demotivator for me. It honestly got to the point where it felt so relentless that my only option was to resort to a bit of ?guerrilla review tactics? just to make the point.
I look forward to seeing the improvements you bring, particularly around creating a more uplifting training environment. It?s reassuring to know that you?re open to feedback and already taking steps in the right direction.
Thanks again for your thoughtful response,
Ongoing torture
Since Marc Diaper became CEO (which now feels like Cheap Equipment Only), Fitness First has really gone downhill. The atmosphere in every club I visit is flat and unwelcoming, especially during opening hours. The terrible, repetitive playlist is beyond demotivating ? it?s the same tracks on a loop, day after day, making workouts a chore instead of an escape.
I used to love training here, but now I actually struggle to motivate myself to step inside.
To be clear, the staff are fantastic ? always friendly, helpful, and professional. But leadership at the top is failing them and the members. Diaper ? like the music ? really needs changing.
FITNESS FIRST Review: A Decade of Membership, Ruined by a Terrible Playlist
After over 10 years as a loyal member of FITNESS FIRST I?ve reached my breaking point?not because of the facilities or the staff, who are consistently superb, but because of the mind-numbing, soul-destroying playlist that plays on an endless, depressing loop across every branch.
Every single session is now accompanied by the same five tracks repeated add nauseam, sucking the motivation out of my workouts. What should be an energising environment feels more like a musical torture chamber, and it?s clear this is a cost-cutting decision from head office with no regard for member experience.
The staff do their best to keep this sinking ship afloat, but their hands are tied by poor management decisions. If you?re thinking of joining, look elsewhere unless you enjoy having your will to live slowly drained by the same awful songs, day after day, with no escape.
Zero stars for head office. Five stars for the frontline staff who deserve better.
What a difference a year makes. A horrible experience coming to another branch if shitness first the same bloody music on again and again. Shame i was looking forward to a workout out what 'used to be' my five star favourite gym.
Old review below ?
The Fenchurch Street branch of this diminishing chain has always exceeded expectations. I have been going for 10 years on and off. Fenchurch Street Fitness first has the most helpful friendly team and amazing coaches/PT instructors.
My favourite class is FF Core and a super bonus is when Kasia hosts and puts you through your paces, an excellent way to start your day*****
September 2025 by Ophelia Duffy
Wow! The best gym ever! All the people are the best! So many gains in this establishment, can?t wait to go everyday for the rest of my life!
September 2025 by Simon Pascoe
Great gym and fantastic staff. Special mention to Jacob for being so helpful. Thanks
September 2025 by Isaac Lopera
Really nice Gym.
September 2025 by Alan Zorrilla
Great team and support from the coaches, Vidal, Aaron, Ade and Broska.
Highly recommend this gym
September 2025 by Pablo Jaramillo
Great team and clean gym very friendly staff
September 2025 by Jordan Raymond
Vidal was extremely helpful in assisting in getting me and a colleague set up in the gym would highly recommend
August 2025 by eric
Nice gym good facilities and space to relax
July 2025 by Robert Benton
Friendly staff valiantly try to work against bizarre central or local management directives? so gym floor space gets taken up by reception being moved to accommodate duplicate ?smart? versions of kit that never seem to be used? and Spin instructors are forced to improvise when air conditioning isn?t fixed for months on end and use a boombox to play music as head office is apparently incapable of replacing a tablet (again, for months on end)
July 2025 by Joshua Moody
Really good gym. I go to this one and the Highbury one and this one is much much better - cleaner, newer equipment, and much friendlier and nicer staff.
July 2025 by Miriam Edwards
I come to this gym regularly and recently did a few months of 1:1 personal training with Elitsa and I can?t recommend her enough! She understood my goals and created a tailored programme to help achieve them. If you?re thinking about doing some personal training then I would really recommend Elitsa, particularly if you want a PT who will make you feel confident, strong and fit
July 2025 by Florinda De Maio
I have been going to Fitness First for over four years, in several location around London, currently going to Fenchurch street.
Great gym, amazing facility, classes and equipment also fantastic enviroment and atmosfear that make the workout much more pleasant and last but not least the staff.
They are all super nice and friendly, Kasia is a gem and I always enjoy her classes.
I highly raccomend this gym.
July 2025 by Domokos Zsolt Máté
This branch has a very spacious studio, a smaller and bigger gym room, a shared-gender sauna and steam spa facility, as well as men's only sauna (probably women's only too from their changing rooms).
When arriving you always treated with a nice, warm welcome, fresh and clean towels given out to the members and visitors, so you don't have to bring one.
The lockerrooms have plenty number combination lockers, when unlocked set the number you can remember, then close it, turn the dial and mix up the numbers, so you can avoid others accessing your locker.
Has all the equipments that anyone may need to get fit, amazing classes and really good trainers!
Also, it is very clean, in fact, the cleaning team does a great job daily!
In terms of price range: when you pay for an annual membership upfront your membership may come cheaper than most other entry level gyms that don't even have sauna, steam or other spa amenities!
June 2025 by Rob Middleton
Friendly staff, great space and equipment, pumping music and ok showers ?
June 2025 by Philip James
I use a few fitness first gyms but this is my fave. New management and this place is so much better. Well done and thank you Donna you are always so welcoming
