How we rank, price and check everything

Every price on the site is a "from" figure for a typical adult individual membership, because UK chains set prices club by club and change them with promotions. We take the published price at three clubs per chain (one London, one large city, one town) and show the lowest. Each money page carries a "prices checked" date; we re-check quarterly and log changes on the price index (not yet available).

We check each chain’s own facility lists and confirm with the club when something matters to a verdict (padel, crèche, 24-hour access). Where provision varies by club we say so rather than averaging it away.

Clubs are scored out of 5 on value, facilities, atmosphere, access (hours, transport, parking) and how good it is for a nervous beginner, weighted equally. Where we have visited, the atmosphere score comes from that visit; where we have not, we say so and rely on published information and reader reports. Sponsored listings sit in a separate labelled slot and are never scored.

We always say which one. If the honest answer is "whichever is nearer", we say that too, then tell you what would change it.

Verdicts are written before we check whether a link pays. Chains and retailers without a programme are recommended when they are the right answer. Full details in the affiliate disclosure.

Price corrections go live within a week; factual corrections within 48 hours, with a note at the foot of the page. Report an error (not yet available).