South Norwood Leisure Centre image

South Norwood Leisure Centre

Bar Gym Fitness center Sports complex Public swimming pool Leisurecentre

😐 The gym is small and there isn't enough equipment. Due to the limited space, the machines are crammed in together which can seen a little claustrophobic at times. Most of the 'life fitness' cardio machines are okay, however some needed repair. The weights area seemed cramped and there wasn't an ar... People often mention pool, staff, changing, area, good, rooms, classes,


Address

164 Portland Rd, London SE25 4PT, United Kingdom

Website

www.better.org.uk

Contact

+44 20 8662 9464

Rating on Google Maps

3.90 (439 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 6 AM to 10 PM
  • Tuesday: 6 AM to 10 PM
  • Wednesday: 6 AM to 10 PM
  • Thursday: 6 AM to 10 PM
  • Friday: (Good Friday), 6 AM to 10 PM, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: 8 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 8 AM to 4 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: pool (15) staff (11) changing (8) area (7) good (7) rooms (7) classes (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 3/5 Ms O. 5 years ago on Google • 84 reviews
    The gym is small and there isn't enough equipment. Due to the limited space, the machines are crammed in together which can seen a little claustrophobic at times. Most of the 'life fitness' cardio machines are okay, however some needed repair. The weights area seemed cramped and there wasn't an area for stretching or floorwork. The gym seemed to be full, keep in mind that I visited during off-peak hours, which are supposed to be the least busy period of the gym. This is undoubtedly due to the small size of the gym. The saving grace is the free car park and low cost on street parking surrounding the gym.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Claire S. 6 years ago on Google • 32 reviews
    Staff I met are polite and knowledgeable but there is no cafe for refreshment, I guess they rely on the tesco next door that has a Costa machine, but even that doesn't serve tea! So not a good start, then their water aerobics class is only in 1 evening a week, what about us that want to do daytimes and not go out at night! Quite limited to me it seems, especially compared to the other Fushion fitness centre in Thornton heath High street. There is disabled access though
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Wacky W. 1 month ago on Google • 275 reviews New
    Friendly staff, it does get busy and you need to book. The changing rooms could be a bit cleaner but from what I've seen it's the users who need to respect the space.

  • 1/5 shaik k. 1 year ago on Google
    Smelly, no cleaning, sofocation dirty place for workout I went only 1 days and paid for whole month and paid £10 extra so it mean for 1 day I spend £46. I ask to cancelled and request for refund they refused
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Niral M. 1 year ago on Google
    Only visited the swimming pool so far, quite impressed. The pool is 25m and has a lot of space for everyone to swim. The staff were helpful as I had forgotten to take off my glasses and they helped me get them back 😅 Looking forward to visiting here more
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Kay G. 11 months ago on Google • 103 reviews
    Has the necessities for a gym but wouldnt be ideal for most gym goers due to the size and lack of space. Also there wasnt alot of upper body machines. The facilities there were clean and the staff were friendly.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lasselle J. 1 month ago on Google • 109 reviews New
    Swimming instructor was absolutely fantastic for the baby class. Wish we had better changing facilities for the babies

  • 2/5 Ant D. 4 months ago on Google • 21 reviews
    Not too happy that people do not cover their shoes when walking into the pool area, the walkway around the pool is somewhat disgusting. Shame as the staff are really good.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Edwin E. 1 month ago on Google • 9 reviews New
    Not the best gym to be honest. It’s in a poor state along with the available equipment. Sad sad especially considering it’s priced at £36. What an absolute joke
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 E 2 years ago on Google
    Very dirty! And a random man walked in to the female changing area with a bottle of alcohol. Then I told staff they brushed it off saying he walked wrong way. And that he was just gonna shower there. I was disgusted by that. It's not a shelter for homeless ppl! They said they let ppl pay the fee for entry and then go shower. They let whoever wants to go shower in their facilities. No safeguarding at all.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 D N. 2 years ago on Google
    It's okay, does the job. Swimming classes a little disjointed, but staff are willing to help. Changing rooms need a makeover as it's my major bugbear but otherwise spin room and downstairs gym in good condition, overall its worth a visit to see for yourself.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Nicole N. 8 months ago on Google
    Filthy changing rooms and pool. Rude staff wouldn’t recommend if it was free
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mamma N. 1 year ago on Google
    There's been a change in lifeguards since we last went and was very impressed wi new lot very attentive and professional cleanliness improved too lovely local pool
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Nelly M. 1 year ago on Google • 47 reviews
    Classes are so good, and instructors are great. Really enjoy having the pool it's almost an invaluable addition to any gym membership, especially in the summer. The leisure centre staff are nice. The facilities could use a lot of work. The pool is the same pool I swam in 20 years ago as a child and hasn't been updated nor have the changing rooms, and this is really noticeable. The gym downstairs is a bit lack lustre and missing what I would call some key pieces of equipment, and space is limited. at 30 pounds a month, it's got its pros and cons.

  • 5/5 Terence B. 3 weeks ago on Google • 38 reviews New
    All the staff are brilliant, especially Mason. He’s an excellent lifeguard, with great customer service skills.

  • 3/5 Angelika A. 1 month ago on Google • 37 reviews New
    The pool was OK, but the water was so cold that after 30 minutes I had enough and left. The dressing rooms are ok, but they are also cold , the lockers are locked for £1/euro. After opening the locker, the coins are returned.

  • 5/5 Elizabeth G. 1 month ago on Google • 36 reviews New
    Swimming, swim, swam❤️❤️❤️Dance fitness🤸🏾‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️legs, bums n tums, Yoga, Tai Chi🧘🏾‍♀️☯️❤️💕🌹

  • 5/5 Hélène C. 1 year ago on Google • 32 reviews
    I think the classes are really good. All the coaches are very professional and very dynamic. I absolutely love the spin classes. I have been to many other providers in London and these spin classes are the best in my opinion. I like that the atmosphere is so supportive between members too, it just feels good to be in those classes. Maybe the gym area is a bit small, I do not use the changing rooms as I live nearby. I am yet to go to the swimming pool.

  • 1/5 Miss A. 3 weeks ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    I don’t understand how it is justifiable to increase the membership price in this gym given that the gym area is always dusty, not enough equipment and the changing area etc are all outdated. Increase in price should reflect increase in quality too! Very unfair!

  • 1/5 Natalie Yule S. 1 year ago on Google • 4 reviews
    Swimming bookings constantly gets cancelled possibly due to staff sickness. Not very many swimming slots available to accommodate the general public especially for people who work shifts. Staff however are very friendly and helpful.

  • 5/5 Jane P. 1 year ago on Google
    A joy to watch so many children learning to swim (my gt nrphew amon them) with kind & patient teachers.

  • 3/5 BILL M. 6 months ago on Google
    The gym equipments are dusty, they need regular cleaning.

  • 4/5 Christopher B. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent place to swim. 25metre pool and decent changing rooms with showers. Recommended for all swimmers

  • 4/5 Bruce B. 2 years ago on Google
    Clean, well laid out, covid-secure. The teachers were great. My daughter loved her first lesson.

  • 5/5 dianne h. 2 years ago on Google
    The staff there was very polite and most helpful and patient. Sorted .

  • 5/5 MOH De M. 2 years ago on Google
    It was fun and good 💪🏽🎂🌟

  • 2/5 Beatriz P. 2 years ago on Google
    To be honest the swimming pool is always very cold even the temperature of the air the ambience...not is nice to go to swim there with this conditions.

  • 4/5 Ellesse W. 2 years ago on Google
    Gym classes are really fun and enjoyable. Good instructors.

  • 1/5 Daniel B. 1 year ago on Google • 2 reviews
    Doesn't even deserve one star. They charge £35 a month (on top of already-ridiculous council tax) for a pool that is only open to paying customers a couple of hours a week in the evenings. If I'm paying that much, I would expect the pool opening hours to match those of the centre. Staff are rude, and the downstairs gym is tiny with the bare minimum of equipment. It's worse than the Sports Direct gym on Purley Way, and that's saying something.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍


Similar Sports complexes nearby

Sky Garden image
1
Sky Garden
Scenic spot
Known as the walkie talkie due to its unique shape, this skyscraper features a top-floor restaurant.
4.60 (58.6K reviews)
Royal National Hotel image
2
Royal National Hotel
Hotel
Straightforward hotel with unfussy rooms, plus traditional dining, a pub and a bowling alley.
3.40 (13.4K reviews)
Mercato Metropolitano image
3
Mercato Metropolitano
Food court
Massive, airy market offering a range of street fare from Italian to Vietnamese, plus cocktails.
4.60 (11.8K reviews)
Duck & Waffle image
4
Duck & Waffle
Modern European restaurant
British & European cuisine 24/7 in a modern 40th-floor space that has floor-to-ceiling windows.
$$$ $
4.30 (11.2K reviews)
Madison image
5
Madison
Modern European restaurant
Rooftop, 6th-floor bar and tapas restaurant, with hand-blown glass chandeliers and large terrace.
$$$ $
4.40 (9.1K reviews)
Last updated:
()