Bicester Leisure Centre

I recently had access to the gym facilities, complete with a personal trainer via a GP referral (Move Together). I was nervous at first but Sam was brilliant at making me feel at ease. He was patient, kind and inspiring. He encouraged me to do my best and was as happy as I was when I improved weekly! Thank you Sam...I'll be back!

I joined the Gym late last year under a GP referral scheme and have just completed 10/12 weeks of 1-1 sessions with Samuel. Having not used a gym for many years I found this experience daunting to say the least but quickly felt at ease once id got past going for the first time. The gym facilities are excellent, plenty of varied equipment and weights to use, I've never had to queue to use anything at the times I have been. I've also enjoyed the steam room and jacuzzi on several occasions. All the gym instructors are friendly and approachable even thought most of my sessions have been with Samuel. What can I say about Samuel, from my very first session he made me feel comfortable, he listened to what I wanted to achieve, he encouraged me every session enabling me to progress and become more confident and pushing me (within my limits) to more each session to a level I would not have thought I could do. Thanks to him I now feel able to keep going and keep improving by myself as my 1-1 sessions have sadly come to an end. All in all a very enjoyable experience and an excellent gym, would recommend it to anyone who is looking to join a gym.

Changing rooms were ok - although there was only one hook in the cubicles we used (I don’t know if this was the same for all) - you could really do with a few more to ensure that clothes and bags stay dry. It is a really cute pool for little ones, with a lovely slide and waterfalls etc. However, as we arrived for our session, the staff were cleaning out what I assume was a code brown from the session before. Using their nets, they were struggling to catch all of the debris, but customers could hear them chat to eachother to agree it “looked a lot cleaner than it did to start with” and the “water readings were fine”. We didn’t stay for the full session as I became very aware that there were still lumps of faeces floating in the main part of the children’s pool. Disappointingly, the cleanliness standards weren’t up to what we’d expect so we’ll continue our search for a nice, clean, family friendly pool.

Disappointing experience – Unprofessional staff and hidden rules! I had a very unpleasant experience at Bicester Leisure Centre on March 8th around 9:30 AM. I visited with a friend who has a membership and believed he could invite a guest for the day. Upon arrival, I was told this wasn't possible and was charged £12.50 for a "day pass" by a staff member named Paula. Crucially, no terms, conditions, or rules regarding the pass were explained to me at the point of purchase. When I asked Paula what the pass included, she told me it was for the gym only. This turned out to be incorrect, as her colleague, Tammy, later corrected her, stating it included other facilities. The situation worsened when I had to leave for 20 minutes to drop my wife at work. I informed the reception that I would be right back to finish my session (my friend remained inside). However, Tammy informed me that if I left, I would have to pay another £12.50 to get back in. I argued that a "day pass" implies access for the day, and since these restrictive rules were never disclosed when I paid, it felt completely deceptive. Both Paula and Tammy were highly unprofessional and displayed a very poor attitude. I ended up leaving with only half a workout done, leaving my friend alone in the gym. I do not recommend this place due to the lack of transparency and the rude conduct of the reception staff.

I am submitting this review following repeated and regular use of this leisure centre, primarily due to its convenient location, which allows me to attend on foot or by bicycle during weekends rather than relying on a vehicle. Regrettably, my experiences over an extended period have been consistently unsatisfactory, particularly in relation to hygiene standards, maintenance, and overall facility management. On numerous occasions, there has been a persistent and unpleasant odour within the premises, at times resembling sewage discharge and at other times comparable to damp, stale fabric. Such conditions raise legitimate concerns regarding ventilation, sanitation systems, and routine cleaning protocols. The general state of maintenance appears to be significantly below what one would reasonably expect from a public leisure facility. I have observed wall tiles seemingly secured with adhesive tape to prevent detachment, visible corrosion on the handrail adjacent to the jacuzzi, and repeated accumulation of human hair in pool and surrounding areas. In my view, the level of hygiene observed is inadequate and falls short of acceptable public health standards. Additionally, the water temperature in the children’s paddling area has, on several visits, been uncomfortably cold, which may not be appropriate for young users. Of particular concern is visible mould growth, especially noticeable between the wooden slats in the sauna area. The combination of persistent odour and apparent fungal presence suggests insufficient environmental control and cleaning oversight. I provide this feedback not lightly, but out of genuine concern for health, safety, and service quality. As a regular patron, I believe the facility would benefit from immediate inspection, comprehensive maintenance review, and a thorough reassessment of its hygiene management procedures. I sincerely hope that appropriate remedial measures will be undertaken to ensure the centre meets the standards reasonably expected by its members and the wider community.