Fitness Centre, Cranfield University - Bedford

Jade Nassif

The gym has a good range of equipment. However there is only one bench press, deadlift station and squatting station. Some of the equipment itself feels quite old but works fine generally. The calisthenics/bodyweight section is probably the best as it includes rings, pull up bars, dip bars, mats (handstands against the wall allowed) and resistance bands. The resistance bands definitely need replacing, there is a rule saying we cannot use the thinner ones to help with pullups as they may break but I'm convinced it's simply because the bands are old and they don't want to buy new ones. Get your own resistance bands if you can.
Also make sure to keep a £1 coin in your wallet if you want to use the lockers.
Overall I would recommend as it is worth the price.

Maryam Mohaddes

The cardio area upstairs is quite small. On the other hand, the changing rooms are massive. I kind of wish they had designed it better so more space was allocated for the actual gym/cardio area rather than massive changing rooms which as far as my experience goes, never get busy.
Also quite annoyingly there are no hair dryers in the changing rooms, so you have to bring your own.

CL

There are several reasons I only rate it 2 stars, and I constantly feel that the quality of this gym is not what I would expect from a university with worldwide reputation.

Firstly, the equipment. The equipment in the strength room is seriously outdated, as I feel they are almost older than me. Some of the Olympic bars are broken and not replaced, and the steel plates are badly worn out across the gym. As for the dumbbells, if I remembered it correctly, they only go up to 35 kg. So you might want to look elsewhere if you require something much heavier. On the plus side, you could do rope battling in one of the training rooms, which is not quite common I think. Apart from the free weights, lots of equipment on the upper level is actually newer. However, the space there is very packed, so you have to be cautious not to bump in the people working out next to you.

Secondly, the changing room. The changing room does not have private shower, which really put me off. Also, it smells bad due to poor ventilation. The lockers are pretty standard though, where you put in £1 coin and take the key away. However, the key is really one single piece, and it does not have a tag on it to remind you which locker you used.

Also, remember to book their induction session before you actually sign up the membership. I can't find this information on their website, so I just packed up and planned I could just pay and use the gym, which was clearly not the case according to one of the staff, and literally he said 'I have never been to a gym that does not do the induction session'. Alright then, I will keep this in mind.

Simon Judd

Been visiting Cranfield University gym since it was in the old Student Union building. The gym is now in a dedicated sports hall and is well equipped with (from memory) around 12 resistance machines distributed between two rooms, three sets of dumbells (one set in each of the three rooms) and a set of kettle weights, three bar bell machines, and some of those dangling resistance bands which I find unfathomable but which seem to have become quite trendy. For aerobic exercise there are three cross-trainers, three spinners and 4-5 treadmills. One room has a large floor area and is used for classes. The staff are friendly and helpful and the pricing is both flexible and very reasonable. It’s also about two miles from my house. So, all in all, I’ve no excuses for not using it.

Ed Crawford

It's the closest gym to my work and has most of what you'd need. I go weekdays early and often can't get on a cross trainer. Male showers are communal whilst apparently women's are not. It's small but for the cost it's ok

Chris Parkes

Friendly atmosphere, not over crowded

Yatish Sannal Haribabu

I particularly use the gym. The gym serves the purpose for a student at the university, although a few equipments at the gym could be upgraded.

Tom Tolley

Hours open online do not match until 4 days ago it was updated. This gym needs a good clean.