At first I thought the club seemed very friendly with a welcoming atmosphere, pleasant cafe, good equipment, and many good classes. I thought at first something stood out about the gym. So I signed up for a whole year's contract. I was very happy there until several months into my membership, when one of the management really started shouting at me without good reason. And His manner was frankly abusive. He knew that I was a type 1 diabetic, but suddenly he told me in an unpleasant manner that I was not allowed to do my vital insulin injections or fingerprick blood tests anywhere on The premises,except in the toilets! I had not been told about this rule earlier on, being able to give insulin in a corner of the cafe or changing room. Even after I did give my insulin in the toilets, he assumed that I was still breaking the unwritten rules. And after that incident, all that niceness went right out the window. As another reviewer has said, the toilets are not the cleanest or most convenient place to do this. The experience was so traumatic for me that I frankly broke down into tears in front of them. I was so distressed and shaking they had to get an Ambulance to check me over. Even after that, they were not friendly anymore...I really didn't do anything wrong in the first place. I wrote to them politely, explaining that this amounted to discrimination; they wrote back a fairly polite but firm E-Mail, just telling me not to do it again!!

Mostly, as I would expect, the reviews for Darwin Wellness Northwood are excellent because it is an outstanding club. However the couple of negative reviews have shocked me as it cannot be the same club I go to. From the minute you walk in you are greeted by smiling staff members, always happy to see you and they always remember your name! Any problems they will listen and act upon your request. Nothing is EVER too much trouble. The owner of the club is there most days, he is approachable and if you want a cup of tea and the bar staff have had to pop somewhere, then the owner himself will make it for you. Now how many places can you say that would happen!? The facilities and classes are outstanding. The gym is furnished with the latest equipment, the pool accommodates everyone ie lane swimming, babies learning to swim, children having fun and aqua classes every day except Sunday. There are so many different classes that everyone can find something to suit them. The teachers are so professional and you learn so much from them. You can tell by my review that I couldn't recommend this club more highly, the facilities, the staff and the other members. Join as you will never regret it.

Been going there for years, seen three management changes and the current guys are so far the best people running it.

This Club is amazing, I have been able to achieve my fitness goals because of their group exercise classes. These classes are phenomenal with dedicated trainers in the spin, tone zone, cardio funk, Darwin Pump and Yoga classes. I love going to the gym, reception staff are always friendly, excellent gym equipment, super swimming pool, sauna and steam room. What more can you ask for? Love it, thank you for being there for the local community.

The club is well managed and all the areas are super clean. I have watched the club improve and I have to say I am delighted Fantastic new hairdryers as well

The gym is always clean, there are a good variety of machines and equipment. All the staff are very friendly and helpful, the personal trainer sessions are great, changing rooms are fine nothing to complain about and I am really glad that I joined 6 months ago.

This is a great gym which is very welcoming from when you walk through the door..I have found the majority of staff very helpful and the owner himself is a very polite fella! Always see the gym being cleaned when I'm down there and never feel it is unhygienic at all! I have recently just been down the gym myself to cancel my membership because of a shoulder injury..I was dealt with by the owner himself which was good to see as I wasn't just pushed on to one of the other staff members..he took time to see how my injury was and dealt with the situation very quickly and smoothly and the process of the cancellation is now in the pipeline! Overall I would recommend this gym..unfortunately you always get certain clients who want to be really picky!

Very poor hygiene Cleanliness not taken seriously Staff not professional very poor customer service skills Lack of empathy on everyone's behalf Do not comply with their alleged terms and conditions Don't trust them at all

When you sign up they do not explain the terms and conditions at all to u Instead opting to email you them or that's what they say. You get told information that is clearly wrong suggesting the quality and training of their staff is of poor quality When you try to quit the gym they want to make it virtually impossible . Planting obstacles in every path possible. Do not sign up at this gym . Worst mistake u will ever make. Don't rate the service at all

The management continue to ignore the need to have signs showing swimmers the direction in which to swim. An accident is waiting to happen as swimmers assume that they can swim any which way. Further, there are no signs to indicate which lane is for competent swimmers and which lane is for slow swimmers. It is impossible to lane swim so if you are looking for a gym that allows swimming as an exercise, this is not the place for you. I will be leaving as soon as my membership expires.

To expensive for the services provided. Changing rooms are dirty, not cleaned enough, male cleaners for female changing rooms. Poor shower design - lots of standing water and poor drainage. Management are not welcoming and do not listen to any feedback. Choice of classes ok - but need to pay extra (what does the membership cost?!) Swimming pool/steam/sauna often closed for one reason or the other. Can see dirt accumulating at the bottom of the pool. Exercise mats are worn out and not replaced (not even a year old)

What a great gym, nice family run business all are very helpful and friendly. Front desk staff always helpful and happy to help. Would recommend the gym to all as it has all the latest equipment, Lovely lounge area with great food and drinks, the kind of place I would definitely go for lunch and breakfast as they have most of my favourite smoothies. Not forgetting that any sky sports games are all shown live........ Perfect!!

1) Toilets are often unclean. (Male cleaner hired for the Female Changing Room) 2) Frequent problems with the Steam Room. (Faulty) 3) Frequent problems with the Sauna Room. (Faulty) 3) Poor building design; a slippery surface in the Sauna Room; in close proximity of EXTREMELY hot coal. 4) Classes can be cancelled without notice. A lack of foresight into the building design is clear. For instance, the Sauna (often faulty) was extended by the removal of the nearby swimming shower. This had led to members unhygienically jumping directly from the Steam Room/Sauna into the pool to cool down. Increasing the chlorine levels and causing faults. The cost of maintaining a contract is high and Management do not respond to criticism in a positive manner. I would recommend, particularly for the elderly, to avoid this gym at all costs.