Xcelerate Gym Forest Hill

The gym itself was amazing - there was a variety of clean equipment to use, the gym wasn't too populated, and the environment (including the staff team) was very welcoming and friendly. I particularly liked the post-workout exercise machines and massage chairs that were there too. I actually wish I could frequent this gym more, but between school, studying, and basketball I'm tied up. Excellent gym nonetheless!

First the positives: The gym is inexpensive, has a decent array of equipment and the staff are nice. These are really the main things I'm looking for in a gym, so although the positives list is short, I can't really rate it lower than a 3 out of 5 stars. Now onto the negatives: Yes, the gym has a decent array of equipment, although it would be good if we actually got to use it! In one area there are 3 squat racks along with ample space for deadlifts, the only snag being that the gym will regularly schedule classes in the same area. This blocks off some of the most popular equipment at peak hours - disappointing given this was one of the mains draws. This results in everyone who would be using this space being funnelled into the remaining areas of the gym, so good luck finding any equipment you actually want to use! The second issue I have is with the cleanliness. The multi function room floor is filthy, it really needs to be cleaned far more regularly than it currently is. There are dust bunnies and clumps of hair everywhere. Thirdly, the sales team are incredibly pushy, even after signing up. Their response to me saying I was already a member was to ask if any of my friends are looking for gyms and to give over their details. In summary: Gym is ok but not without issue. I would go somewhere else but there is a lack of competition in the area.

Absolute scammers. Do not do a trial of this gym, it is a scam and they make it extremely difficult to cancel. We did a short trial of this gym but after trying several gyms we found one better suited to our needs. I was told I was under no obligation to continue if I changed my mind so we followed the procedure as per the Ts&Cs and cancelled within plenty of time (they state you need to phone the gym OR Harland’s- the third party that deals with the money.) I also phoned my bank and cancelled as instructed by Harland’s. Since then we have been repeatedly harassed by email, phone, and text with threats that our details are going be passed onto debt collectors. Of course this is a lie as harlands told us nothing is ever recorded on your credit file so not to worry. Not sure why they’re desperately trying to gaslight us into believing we owe them a debt, it’s laughable. They even told me we owed a £15 late fee for missing payment! I never missed a payment, I was not a member and I cancelled within the terms they set. I am absolutely appalled at how they rope you into a free trial and then harass and threaten you if you don’t want to sign up. The lady on the phone was so pushy, sarcastic, and rude and outright lied about their cancellation policy.

Firstly, the positives: The equipment is all new and kept clean. The staff are always polite, friendly, and look good. The negatives: The opening hours for a gym are an absolute joke and the main reason that im cancelling my membership, 6pm close on a Saturday, for real? I'm currently headed to energie to buy a day pass despite the fact I pay a membership to xcelerate because I assumed that no gym would genuinely close so early on a weekend. The space in the gym is nice but it isn't utilised properly, and they make weird decisions like hosting workout classes right in front of the Olympic bars during peak hours, so if you wanted to do squats or deadlifts that day you just can't- meanwhile there is a completely empty room available elsewhere in the gym that they could have used. Don't bother if you don't have headphones- they choose weird things for the music and play it via a phone that doesn't have Spotify premium so you sometimes will hear ads, very motivating. There's no proper check-in turnstiles or any system at all, people just kinda wander in and the staff just assume they have paid their membership. I wonder how many people there aren't even paying a membership and are being propped up by paying members, not very good business practice especially when the gym is already constantly overcrowded.