Nicola Orchard visits Gold’s Gym in Park Royal, and finds a friendly place to work out and relax

3:46pm Tuesday 11th March 2008

WITH everything you need under one roof, Gold's Gym in Park Royal is the ideal place to whip yourself into shape after the excesses of the festive season.

The spacious main gym has a range of cardio and weight machines, and one of the largest free weight areas in London. Overlooking the main gym floor is a large flat screen television, playing the latest music videos. The main floor is surrounded by a balcony, complete with extra machines, and a large cardio area.

Stavrina Petros-Koumi from Park Royal's Gold's Gym says: "We have got a lot of space, and we have all the latest equipment. The gym sells itself once you come in and have a look."

There are also a range of classes in Gold's Gym's specially designed studios. The Mind, Body and Soul studio with its low lighting, is ideal for yoga, pilates and Body Balance classes, while spinning takes place in the Group Cycling Studio. The biggest studio has lots of natural light, and views across London, and is used for classes including Legs, Bums and Tums, Abs Attack, step aerobics, circuits and dance. And finally, the Activity studio comes complete with boxing accessories, and is the place for both boxing and kickboxing classes.

Gold's Gym have also taken into account the wishes of their customers, and created a women's only workout room.

All new members receive an hour's induction and consultation, where they can discuss their fitness requirements with Gold's Gym's fully trained staff. Weight and measurements are taken, and every six weeks, members can again meet with staff to see how they are getting on, and make any necessary changes to their workout.

A revolutionary system called FitLinxx also helps users with their workouts. The networked computer system is attached to fitness equipment, and monitors exercise activity, tracks performance as well as providing real time feedback. The system is free to all members of Gold's Gym. Users register, then every time they attend the gym, they input their pin number into the main monitor, and then on each individual machine, in order to track their progress. The system then sends users a weekly email report, keeping them on top of their fitness programme.

Gold's Gym is friendly and welcoming, with staff and members alike chatting and greeting each other. The cafe area is an ideal place to catch up with friends, or relax over a healthy smoothie or bite to eat. Also on offer are hot drinks, hot and cold fruit, protein shakes and more. There is also a creche facility.

Stavrina says: "Our team are very encouraging, and from members to staff, everyone gets along. It is a very friendly and sociable environment."

Gold's Gym is also a perfect place to relax, with a tasteful and calming sauna area containing a hydrotherapy pool, foot spas, steam room, tropical feature shower, sauna and salt cave, which helps to replenish your natural salts lost through sweating. And every other Thursday, the sauna is women only.

There is also a beauty salon on site, run by Elena Klusova, who offers a range of treatments including massage, manicures, facials, waxing and more. Massage is one of Elena's specialties, and she has a varied menu, including sports, Swedish, deep tissue, aromatherapy and Indian Head massage. Elena says: "Massage can help with a number of problems, including stress, depression, excema, and anxiety.

"Because we are in a sports environment, we also offer sports massages to people who are training, as it can help them recuperate and prepare."

Facials are carried out with Dermalogica products, with Elena assessing her client's individual skin needs. Elena uses OPI nail lacquers in her manicures and pedicures.

There is also a specialist who offers semi permanent make up.

With fitness, beauty, and relaxation all in one friendly and spacious environment, Gold's Gym is an ideal place to start the New Year as you mean to go on.

Gold's Gym
Royal Leisure Park
Great Western Way
Park Royal
London
W3 0PA

Tel: 020 8993 0993

www.GoldsGym.com

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