Fifteen ratings is a small pool, so let me start with what that number can and can't tell you about Empire Health and Fitness on Lindsay Street in Arbroath. The average sits at 4.8. With a sample this small, one unhappy visitor leaving a single one-star review would drag it to roughly 4.5 overnight. That hasn't happened here, which is worth something. It just isn't worth as much as a three-digit review count would be.
What the reviews actually say
The written reviews I can read are all five stars, and they lean hard on one word: friendly. A member in March 2019 called it "One of the best quality gyms in town" and mentioned staff handing out "a personal training programme." Another, in November 2020, wrote about "loads of different classes for all abilities, variety of equipment." A first-timer in August 2020 said "everyone seems very friendly and helpful." The most recent I can see, from September 2024, keeps it short: "Clean and friendly gym, with great equipment!"
Notice what's doing the work in those quotes. Friendly staff, classes, clean floor. That's a coherent picture, and it's consistent across five years. What I don't get is specifics. Nobody names a single machine, a class timetable, or a rack count. "Great equipment" tells me the reviewer was happy. It doesn't tell me whether the free-weight area suits a powerlifter or the cardio deck has enough treadmills for a 6pm rush.
Where the voices agree
They agree on tone. Staff who talk to you, a welcoming door, group classes pitched at mixed abilities. If you're new to training and you want somewhere that won't make you feel out of place, that repeated signal is the useful part. It shows up in 2019, again in 2020, and again in 2024, from different people. Consistency across years is a stronger tell than any one glowing sentence.
What's missing
No review states a membership price. None lists opening hours, and the hours field in the listing reads as all zeros, which usually means the data wasn't captured rather than the place never opens. So treat both price and timetable as unknown. The class schedule that reviewers praise? I can't see it either. A two-minute phone call to the number on the listing will settle all three faster than any review can.
Who it's not for
If you want documented specifics before you commit, this thin a record won't give them to you. Serious lifters chasing particular gear, or anyone who needs to confirm 24-hour access, should call first.
FAQ
Is Empire Health and Fitness good for beginners?
The reviews repeatedly describe friendly staff, mixed-ability classes, and a welcoming first visit, which points that way. I'd still phone ahead to confirm class times.
How much does membership cost?
No review states a price. Contact the gym directly for current rates.
What are the opening hours?
The listing doesn't show reliable hours. Call the gym to confirm before you plan a visit.