Went to this gym for 4 years, came back today to use a guest pass and I was told I could only use certain parts of the gym after paying €11. Receptionist couldn’t have cared less. It’s a shocking system, extremely crowded gym with staff who could be friendlier and nicer. The booking system is very inconvenient.

Leg machines and the deadlift decks from the downstairs weights area have been removed and replaced with more squat racks so patrons can no longer do a range of leg and upper body exercise's anymore. I used to enjoy coming to the Mardyke Arena for a workout but they have made a complete shambles of the new gym and totally downgraded the experience. How a sales rep managed to bluff UCC Management with the new equipment and layout is beyond me. They have replaced fantastic life fitness and hammer strength equipment with "new" but actually inferior machinery. Its actually a tragedy. Bring back the older and much better gym. The new gym makes no sense whatsoever, will be joining elsewhere.

Great facilities, really clean, friendly helpful staff. Each piece of gym equipment has its own spray bottle for cleaning, there's so much equipment I've never have to wait for anything. Their booking system is great. The pool is never too busy either.

One of a highlight owned by University College Cork. Adjoining a soccer/rugby ground and a hockey turf pitch. Mardyke is a great center which includes swimming, basketball, gym, badminton, squash , steam , sauna and many more activities. Well equipped and well staffed. Only downside is that it has become overcrowded at the moment and they need to facilitate the new crowd(especially in the gyms). 3 gyms -red, green and blue. 2 sections of steam and sauna. Overall a great hub.

I visit the Mardyke arena every week. So far I have had the best experience here. They have three separate gym, swimming pool and even a track for particle running. It also comes with a turf and several other amenities. My yearly subscription costs about 300 EUR and I think it's worth the money. I highly recommend this clean and safe space.

Even after all covid restrictions have been removed they decided to keep booking system which makes it impossible to use the gym you want unless you catch an empty slot. Their cleaning schedule is messed up, I fell a few times because they mop the floor during busy hours. Also they decide to wash lockers rooms in very weird times like in the middle of the day while it is still in use. %10 of the staff has a positive attitude, the rest is usually rude. Over all, i would keep my membership only if they were paying me. Because it definitely doesn’t feel like a paid service.

I love the Maradyke Gym and have been an avid member throughout my college years! Unfortunately, there is a downside to the overall experience… The gyms lack of nutritious food is shocking to a healthy gym-goer. Most other gyms in the hub of the city offer supplements and protein shakes, which is a necessity for increasing lean mass. It also improves muscle recovery which is critical after a gruelling workout. I have been searching for a new gym because of this reason… do better if you wish to retain loyal customers.

Lots of cardio machines in the gym. However, weight machines don’t allow for a decent amount of weight. Leg press only goes up to 180 kg, adduktor machine stops at 72 kg. Weak. Not enough weight for my massive quads.

Rude staffs. Maybe 6 or 7 at least, mainly at reception. You ask information and they act like they are doing a favor. Super unprepared. Very bad booking system, always fully booked. You never can work out what you need if you don’t book 2 days before for each single section. The worse experience in cork

Great facilities in Cork. 25M pool, Kiddie pool. Good Gym areas. But, a big but coming. The hygiene and cleaning in the gents changing area leaves a hell of a lot to be desired. It's not being cleaned or maintained. Locker tops dust dust dust, locker internals not cleaned at all in my view. Tiles very poor. Toilets no flush working. Taps hanging off the sinks. Taps no touch not working or very poorly. No smell of cleaning product ever in the changing room so not being used I'd imagine. I didn't venture to the showers I was afraid. Needs an overhaul in the changing rooms in my view. After the overhaul, advertise for 20/40 students after hours to do deep clean once a week after being trained by a professional cleaning company 1st. You could imagine since this is the standard accepted then I'd be confident the air filters haven't being changed in years. Looks very bad on UCC if this is seen as they're facility. As for high paying Chinese and foreign students, take note, if you value your health avoid this area of the facility as its a health hazard. But if you'd like to catch the latest virus the gents changing area is the place to go.

Shockingly run. Issues with benches from the start, despite numerous complaints from plenty of regulars they still remain 4 years later. Some of the most ridiculous rules I've ever witnessed in any other gym. It's clear there's issues with some of the equipment and the rules indicate so too i.e. no bench allowed in the squat rack. There's no need for such a rule in other gyms because they have functional equipment. Management seems completely unconcerned with the issues too. Disagree with other reviews on gym staff, all staff are generally very polite and helpful, and aware of the issues that persist but out of their control. Could be an excellent gym but poor management is holding it back.

Good facilities but the lady in the front desk with brown hair is always SO rude. Completely talks down to you. Just quit your job if you hate it that much…

I want to like this gym because it’s free for UCC students but it’s aweful. Booking system is redundant, only basic gym facilities, staff are quite rude and have limited gym knowledge, the gym also has many rules for no reason eg: can’t move benches, can’t lift without shoes. If you’re a beginner it’s great, but otherwise this gym is bad vibes and they treat you like primary school kids.

Great place, nice climbing wall, well organised birthday party for kids

The gym and the swimming pool are brilliant. The sauna and steam room on the ground floor are fantastic. Clean building and facilities too. However, the upstairs sauna is terrible; it's not hot enough to generate a decent sweat. It's an absolute waste of time that management don't appear interested in improving. I wholeheartedly agree with other reviews here regarding the staff being rude. A considerable amount of the staff (not all, but far too many) are some of the most unpleasant, cold, ill-mannered receptionists I have ever encountered.

Left this gym because you still had to book the downstairs gym. Receptionist on front desk is very rude. Weight machines are not great. The old life fitness machines were much better and set good intervals between weight. Have gone elsewhere after 4 years being a member

Fabulous facilities, can be very busy with students at peak times

Great gym but can get very busy, especially during UCC term time.

Not to crowded in the morning. Nice and clean swimming pool, steam room and sauna.

We play basketball every Friday at 7am (all welcome). Great spot for events, such as the FIBA Womens Basketball tournament!

Kids Summer Camp was a great experience Lots of activities all week. Loved the swimming at Mardyke arena. Definitely will go and book another week later before returning to school for him. It helps the children interact with others outside of their own school classroom. Scott loved going there, all in all great experience. 5☆+

Difficult to social distance in changing rooms for pool. But glad to be back at swimming lessons.

Great facility and friendly staff - my family love going there for a swim

Great friendly sports arena with very nice pool and extremely helpful staff and absolutely fabulous opening hours (7 am to 10:30 pm most nights) You just have to get used to different lanes using differing directions for swimming.

Yestarday at 7pm went there with my 11 years old son. I want to joint gym and swimming the lady in the reception is very helpful and kind gave us all information. We went to swimming I used sauna is lovely after I asked that cam see the gym too on the floor another girl was so kind and helpful too she show around and talk about anything with me what I need it. Worth to joint as a Member

Girl fainted after being in the steam room over the time they advised on the door. I asked for help and the life guard sent over Anthony to sort the situation. He was really helpful, had her up and healthy again in under 40 minutes. Really impressed great job!

Finished my last exam here, and it's very nice. Helpful staff, lovely feel and quite clean, and the open spaces are clean and VERY well ventilated.

Alex introduced us at reception and booked us into pool she was so kind, friendly and nice and everything. She helped us with everything we needed all night and was the most amazing staff member on that night

Fantastic gym, full of amenities! They have a Red Gym (mainly barballe weights) and Blue and Green Gyms (cardio machines, dumbbell weights). Good changing rooms with many lockers and showers.

Red gym is absolutely bomb! Green gym has so many machines and it's great too!! One of the best gyms I've ever been to and so close to UCC and the city centre

Fabulous Facilities. Vibrant , friendly atmosphere . Lovely little Cafe on site also .

Its an international accredited GYM, Olympic Center...etc High Standards service provided by professional

Very good gym, excellent facilities. Very clean. Friendly staff. Really nice pool, good running track. Definitely recommended.

Fantastic facility. Love the facilities here. Also, while most staff are very helpful, You do meet a few staff in the course of using the facilities who definitely need sensitivity training with regards to how they deal with the customers.... That would help this facility really become top notch..

Good service, great squash court and swimming pool. Highly recommend, but membership is required.