BH Live Active, Pyramids — Attraction in Portsmouth

5* February 2019 Update! Gave it another go and really pleased with the changes made! For a start the lower pool now has hot water jets instead of normal pool temperature that drops when being flung through the air, making the lower pool much warmer than it used to be, meaning I can sit in comfort while my preschooler does the little slides on repeat. I can even stand in the jets like a nice warm shower. What a difference! This means I don't feel the need for a rash vest which was most of my trouble on my last visit. There was a young teenage looking lad in the pool in a rash vest and I asked his mum if anyone had asked him about it and she said no, he wasn't a strong swimmer and stayed out of the deep end but seemed left alone from what I saw. As I was leaving though I saw the manager so asked about the rash vest policy. He said it was unchanged but was at his discretion and if there was a good reason someone wanted to wear one like scars etc, he was able to allow this, just ask to speak to him. As always, kids loved it so I'd say we'll now be going back since I no longer have to freeze and in general the staff seemed much more reasonable. The queuing was also much better organised this time with a roped off area which meant getting into the pool was much better experience too. We weren't waiting that long either.

2* June 2018: Kids enjoy swimming here but I find the lower pool cold while sitting around with my preschooler while she does laps of the tiny slides. Thought I'd warm up a bit with a long sleeved rash vest last time (proper swimwear) but was told I may not wear it. I'm not sure who they're trying to put off, those a little shy, those who have a serious issue with their body image and would like to cover up a bit more whilst exercising? Those whose culture or religion encourages covering up more? I felt it was completely unnecessary. I wasn't attempting to swim in a long summer dress... It seems like a very discriminatory policy that I hope they'll change. In fact, at first I was told that I could wear it "this once" but then I was waved out of the deep end where my six year old was swimming because of it If they thought I was leaving the side of a child that young (even with his 10 metres badge!) they had another thing coming. I took off the rash vest, whilst swimming easily beside my son. What kind of life guard risks the safety of a child because of their policy. Fine, ask me to get out with him and talk to me about the problem (whatever the hell it is) but don't insist I leave him alone in the deep end. It puts me...

I have been a member here for a year and could not wait to cancel my membership. Where do I start?

-No lockers for men at a lot of times -Staff can be rude and dependent on the evening, the gym can close up to half an hour earlier than advertised -Broken equipment says 'will be resolved as soon as possible' - I know a piece of equipment that had this sign for 6 months until I complained then they removed the machine opposed to repairing it! -The centre often has unannounced 'staff training days' whilst members turn up to a closed building -The centre does not email members when they close for 'essential maintenance' -The toilets are not cleaned daily -The gym has taken on too many memberships and you are often 2nd or 3rd in the queue to use equipment -Opening Times are not that of competitors and poor at weekends -The gym is over-priced compared to local competitors

--Weights Area Issues-- No decline bench Not enough dumbbells Needs more barbell weights Needs a second smith machine No preacher curl Lack of benches Another EZ bar needed More floor space - you really are on top of each other

--Fitness Area Issues-- No Kettle Bells No skipping ropes Dated cardio machines Cardio machines are not regularly serviced so have hanging off bits of chassis and make lots of noises Water machine is room temperature Lots of ceiling leaks Scales do not work

Good points: Nice decoration Early afternoon the gym is quiet

Hope this helps anyone looking to join! This is my opinion over a year and not isolated incidents. If management put a bit of time in and a few thousand was spent improving and increasing the size of the weights area, then it would be 10x better. There are too many...

I am writing this email to express my disappointment at the service provided at the Pyramids Southsea.

I arrived Mon 9 Apr at 1000 only to be warned that I had potentially an hour wait to be granted entry. As a father of 2 small children who were determined to go swimming, I decided to wait.

I was then informed that the slides were out of service due to maintenance. This sign was not easily identified as it was situated on the floor next to the reception area, which is not in the best place for customers to see. Again, having 2 determined children I decided not to disappoint them.

I then made my way into the pool and noticed that the pool area at the rear of the building was not being utilised. I queried this with a member of your staff to be informed that there was not enough staff available to supervise swimmers, therefore it remained closed to the public.

My main points are -

School holidays are well known dates throughout the country, management should have the foresight to ensure that customers are catered for and enough staff are made available to cover this peak business period.

Although maintenance periods are essential, could they not be conducted in periods when usage is low? The whole time i was there i saw no work being conducted.

I had to cut short our time in the pool as the impact of the excessive queuing time meant my 2 hour parking ticket was due to run out.

As a good percentage of the facility was unuseable this information should be reflected on your website, at the reception area and on the price of the tickets.

I will end this by saying that I am very disappointed with the experience I had today and I won't be recommending this facility to...