1 / 3Lifestyles Alsop Fitness Centre
📍 Walton, Merseyside
Affordable community leisure centre in Walton with a swimming pool, children's swim lessons, sauna, steam room, and gym. Best during off-peak hours to avoid crowding.
Alsop Gym is ridiculously cheap. In fact, it’s so cheap that sometimes the staff don’t even bother charging you — they just wave you in like you’re a regular at a local pub. Blink and you’ve accidentally got a free workout. Frankly, it feels rude to question it. The facilities are good overall and the staff are genuinely great — friendly, helpful, and clearly saints for putting up with the chaos. You never feel unwelcome, even when the place resembles controlled anarchy. That said, when it’s busy… wow. The gym gets so packed it’s like working out inside a sardine tin. You’ll be mid-set, someone else will be benching your elbow, and a third person will be politely hovering, breathing heavily, waiting for your machine. Personal space is purely theoretical. The pool is lovely, the sauna is fantastic, and the steam room is amazing — when it’s open. Unfortunately, it appears to be broken for approximately 361 days of the year, reopening briefly just long enough to remind you how good it is before closing again for “maintenance”. All in all, for the price (or lack of one), it’s an absolute bargain. If you can dodge peak times and catch the steam room on one of its rare annual appearances, you’re onto a winner. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t expect elbow room — or steam — on a regular basis.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families on a tight budget whose children are enrolled in swimming lessons — the coaching quality stands out and the pricing makes regular attendance accessible. Off-peak morning visits give the pool more space and a better experience.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →324 Google reviews
Tom B
3 months ago
“Alsop Gym is ridiculously cheap. In fact, it’s so cheap that sometimes the staff don’t even bother charging you — they just wave you in like you’re a regular at a local pub. Blink and you’ve accidentally got a free workout. Frankly, it feels rude to question it. The facilities are good overall and the staff are genuinely great — friendly, helpful, and clearly saints for putting up with the chaos. You never feel unwelcome, even when the place resembles controlled anarchy. That said, when it’s busy… wow. The gym gets so packed it’s like working out inside a sardine tin. You’ll be mid-set, someone else will be benching your elbow, and a third person will be politely hovering, breathing heavily, waiting for your machine. Personal space is purely theoretical. The pool is lovely, the sauna is fantastic, and the steam room is amazing — when it’s open. Unfortunately, it appears to be broken for approximately 361 days of the year, reopening briefly just long enough to remind you how good it is before closing again for “maintenance”. All in all, for the price (or lack of one), it’s an absolute bargain. If you can dodge peak times and catch the steam room on one of its rare annual appearances, you’re onto a winner. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t expect elbow room — or steam — on a regular basis.”
Gra
a month ago
“I mainly use the sauna/steam room facilities here. It is well maintained like the rest of the centre. There is alway good, joyful banter in both rooms and sometimes dull, boring amature football analysis but regarless, this facility is good for the soul and great for mental health.”
Ahwaz Arabic
2 months ago
“So basically, my school would take me every Wednesday and it was so much fun. The coaches were so kind and they would always tell you about your mistake so you could fix them so it was absolutely amazing. I loved it so much shout out to Sam swimming coach.”
M Uddin
4 months ago
“Stephanie Guy at Lifestyles Alsop Fitness Centre was incredibly helpful and kind. She went above and beyond to assist me. Excellent service — thank you, Stephanie!”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Lifestyles Alsop Fitness Centre offers swimming pools with structured children's lessons run by coaches who receive strong individual praise. The facility includes a sauna, steam room, change rooms, gym, and parking. School groups use the facility regularly, which increases crowding during term-time. Staff are noted for a relaxed and welcoming approach. Pricing is significantly lower than private alternatives in the area.
