Overview

I signed up for a new membership with Bannatyne Gym at their Ayr branch using their online membership portal and made my first visit a few days later to attend a Yoga class and enjoy a swim afterwards. The gym is based over two floors with classes and the gym floor upstairs accessed via a stairway or lift and the swimming pool, changing rooms and cafe downstairs. The family changing room is setup for disabled customers. There are 3 very large locking cubicles, with bench, hooks to hang your items and wet room shower cubicle with drop down shower seat and shelf for your toiletiries. The staff are friendly and helpful, nothing is too much hassle. The Yoga instructor was accommodating she provided the class as a whole with alternative poses which we could use at our own discretion but was happy to provide more if asked.

Transport & Parking

On-site parking with designated disabled parking places.

Access

It’s easy to enter the building and the flooring is lovely for self-propelling along. There is a lift to the upper floor. However once you are past reception you are stuck unless you have arms like Popeye to open the double doors that take you through to all the facilities and the doors to access changing rooms, swimming pool, gym and hall. Minimal signing and I found it quite difficult to orientate myself when I left the lift on the ground floor. The cafe area is quite easy to get around in a wheelchair, and staff are happy to bring your order to the table and take away any chairs to allow better access to the table. I spoke with one of the duty managers about my difficulty accessing parts of the gym and he was very keen to listen, but so felt he wouldn’t truly understand until he actually tried it for himself. So I put him in my wheelchair and it really hit home for him how difficult it was for me, when he as a very fit and able person could barely open the double doors, (see video). The gym is due an upgrade later this year, so hopefully all the doors will be automated, and some wheelchair specific equipment added to the gym.

Toilets

Staff

All the staff were very friendly and helpful from the duty manager down to the cleaner. Nothing is too much. They are even happy to help put my chair and bag in my car when I am too tired after a workout.

Video