Parkside Pools and Gym — Local services in Cambridge

The pool itself is OK, and in my opinion not filthy at all, despite what other reviewers on here have been saying. BUT (and there is more than one 'but' here): I reckon the only way to make use of this pool is either (i) if you're a parent with a child and go there just to have a splash, or else (ii) if you join one of their swimming clubs, which appear to be given priority at all times, in total disregard of the online programme.

Whenever I've been there (that would be 3 or 4 times in the last week or so), the lane arrangement has been completely different to that listed in the online programme, making it impossible to plan a visit with any degree of confidence or accuracy. I have recently had a back operation and my surgeon recommended swimming as a good sport that will facilitate a speedy recovery. However, given my condition I need to start gradually, meaning that I need to use a slow lane. When I joined the swimming pool the staff told me that there are slow lanes whenever the online programme says '5 lanes'. With that in mind, I have been trying to go only during the intervals clearly marked as such on the programme. But to no avail! At times when the pool should have 5 lanes (typically 1 slow, 2 medium and 2 fast), in reality there are only 3, and I've never been able to find a slow lane so far, making it impossible for me to swim. When I asked staff why they didn't stick to the online programme, they have not even once tried to apologise. Instead, they said that when the pool is busy, they need to change the lanes and accommodate swimming lessons that were initially scheduled to take place in other pools. I pointed out that this renders the programme totally useless, and makes it impossible for people like me to swim. The staff's reaction amounted to little more than just shrugging their shoulders.

In desperation, I did try to use to medium lane at one point (I am typically of moderate swimming ability, so I thought I could get by despite my recent operation). I then discovered lots of other problems: for one thing, people swam in all directions, despite clear indications posted by the side of the pool telling swimmers to swim counter-clockwise; for another, kids would dive with abandon, ignoring clear signs to the effect that diving is prohibited. In both cases, pool staff turned a blind eye, making absolutely no attempt to enforce any rules.

Under the circumstances, it has been impossible for me to swim. If, like me, you need to use a slow lane (or would, for any other reason, prefer to be able to rely on the pool's online programme), then you can simply forget about it. A huge...

I had the displeasure to attend one of the toddler sessions at this pool last week.

As soon as I entered reception I was met with the most disengaged receptionist I've ever interacted with. Eyes down, throughout the whole interaction and there was no information at all about the facilities.

I went in with my child to get dressed and realised I had no coins for the lockers so carrying all my things and my toddler I made my way back to do reception. To ask if they could change a five pound note. I waited patiently for the receptionist to finish her conversation with other staff and after a good minute she turned to me and said "Yes?" in a condescending tone.

I asked her if she had chnage for a fiver and in the most smug voice through a sarcastic grid she replies that "this is a cashless business and we'd have to just take our bags to pool side".

I said nothing and just went pool side with the little one as suggested with all of my things. There was no real place to put my items as every part of the floor poolside was wet. So I had to strategically place the items in an area far from my view that had to be dry.

The actual poll for the toddlers is more of a fun space and less about teaching your little ones to swim so I'd not recommend this pool if you had that in mind.

The session starts late and Finishes 15 minutes before the hour ends so be aware if you planned an hour. Not a big deal but I believe they may check the pool water for quality during this period.

Getting dressed in the pool with toddlers is painless. They have a baby chnage mat as well as a upright chair for them to sit in while you get changed yourself. So no need to double team with a partner here.

Weirdly as a CASHLESS business the lockers require cash as well as the hair driers. So I really think the receptionist was just mocking me.

I'd highly recommend that reception take some time off to reflect on whether they want to remain at the business as they clearly don't enjoy their job. To management at this location consider putting your staff through hospitality training as it will go a long way to help the business grow. I know better Gym is still a council backed franchise but a minimum standard should...

I want to complain against this gym, or some of the supervisors at least: Megan, Jay Booth, and then Steven Rayment too for he knew about this issue and was quite rude and far from compassionate. I had just been notified of suffering from cancer that very morning and I went to the gym in the evening, trying to have a little bit of distraction at least in my free time.. I was some minutes late for the Zumba class and Megan with a terrible face and hard attitude was there, standing up in front of the door trying to block me the entrance to the class. I told her that I was going in, and I did, and in fact there was another girl who went into the studio later than me and she came in normally, and no one told her anything. Megan was still looking at me during some time while I was inside the studio dancing, but I tried to forget about her murderous look and focus on the class. Then at the end of the class, I was chilling with a friend outside and suddenly Megan again appeared, accompanied this time with her friend Jay Booth who interrupted me to force me to go with him to reception.. all this with a very bad face, that made me feel ashamed not only in front of this friend but for all the people in the gym on the way to reception as people were looking at us: their attitude walking two steps behind me, as if they were the police with a criminal! 🥺 and tense attitude, called others' attention. They checked and realised that I was of course a member but even after that I received some email telling that if I went late to class again I would have to quit the gym! I'm pretty sure the other girl who was late didn't receive such an email ! Nor the rest of the girls who everyday are late for the classes. I think this is bullying, and I find that, as a normal customer, not guilty for anything, it's totally unfair and unacceptable. The ones who I mentioned above should resign for emotional injury. The gym was the only place I had to relax and they made a...