Stevenson Building

I cannot wait to see what this place is going to be like when it’s fully open and fully installed.
At the moment there are still big water cooler bottle things lying around everywhere, no TVs installed and I really wish that they would attach that one exercise contraption to the floor — I don’t like the idea that I could fall over on top of you while you’re exercising.
However, that being said, it was about time that they extended the gym, and so far, it really has helped — unless you go at peak times and the sports teams are practicing and the changing rooms are stupidly full and all the weights are in use.
My tiny little pet peeve, which you should know about, is that people will never put the weights back in their proper order, so be prepared to go on a hunt for matching weights.
Also, the new floor exercise/​stretching sections are always busy, and one of them is contained in milkglass — but with an opening which, if that’s the mat you’re training on, will make you feel incredibly on display!
There is always a Trainer walking around, so if you have any questions about the exercises or if you want a new exercise to spice up your session, they will be able to help. Generally, the staff is very approachable and usually very friendly.
I haven’t attended any of the classes yet; they’ve introduced a new system of grabbing a little token which you then hand to the instructor. I have yet to find out how it works.

This review is for the pool area and locker room. I wish there was more than one panel of wall lockers that way all they patrons aren’t fumbling over the top of each other. There would have been plenty of space for this if they had laid it out a bit better. Other than that the locker room is not bad, and well equipped with showers, blow driers etc.
The pool itself has 8 lanes that are very unorganized. People have no rhyme or reason as to where they are ‘swimming’. Generally most pools have designated directions of swimming. At Stevenson, half the time I am worried about getting injured because somebody may just plow straight into my head if I am not really paying attention. So, I find myself doing this awful head facing-​forward freestyle, instead of swimming properly for long distances.
The pool is also very chlorinated which I guess is good considering it looks like it is never vacuumed/​skimmed with all kinds of crud whirling around on the bottom. But also because of the hyper-​chlorination you get out feeling like a crisp and all the lotion in the world doesn’t seem to help.
Stevenson has a steam room and a sauna, but one or the other always seems to be down for maintenance. But, when working, they get the job done.
The price is very reasonable, so I really can’t complain.

I’m in this place enough, you’d think I’d give it a five star rating, but I’m currently cursing the day someone thought doing loads of squats would be a good thing. All misery aside, I really do enjoy going to the gym, especially during break when there is literally no one there.
The front desk staff is always super helpful and are there to answer any questions you might have regarding the gym. There is a shop as well, where you can get loads of cool UofG kit along with water bottles, swim caps, etc. I finally purchased a pair of Nike running tights that have Glasgow written down the leg, but unfortunately, the lettering is falling off after just one wear. I’ve yet to return them for a new pair, so i’ll have to update my post if there were any glitches in the return. As of now, the staff who run the kit shop are helpful in letting you try things on and advice on what to buy.
There are 6 levels with something on each level. I go by colour when I’m in there and use the locker rooms on the green floor as they seem bigger and brighter. I workout on the orange level because the red level is always packed and I like to get in and get out. I’ve yet to be in to the blue level which is the swimming/​sauna area, but this will be my year to do so, as I’m really looking in to trying out some triathlons this year. I need to get back in the pool before that will happen.
I take classes here as well, which are awesome. They’ve yet to disappoint, and is the reason just now why I can barely walk without wincing. Full body workout is the best all around, that I’ve tried so far, however, the FIT workouts look amazing and the core conditioning classes are painful… I mean great. The instructors really seem like they’re totally in love with their jobs and make you feel 100% comfortable. Make sure though, to get in line early as some of them, especially the full body workout fill up quick and you’re likely to miss out.
All in all, for what I pay for being a student (60 quid for the year), i really can’t beat what is on offer. If you’re a graduate, recent or ages ago, even public memberships are available (not currently though as they are packed to the limit– however they are building on an addition which should open up loads more room for new members)
Of course I’ll be back. I’m on a mission.

I do love a good workout, and as a university student, I of course own a membership to the gym. The annual fee for university students has gone up a bit this year but remains at am extremely competitive £60. No excuse not to subscribe!
They are currently in the process of expanding it (knocked down the union building behind it to rebuild new facilities) but I find if already great as it is.
I tend to go to fitness classes such as kettle bells, circuits or total body workout and they are all really good, depending on what you are looking for. Staff is friendly and coaches will always make sure that the session is going well for you and that your are not injured.
I also recommend the cardio rooms, which I well equipped with treadmills, bikes, rowing machines and cross trainers. That’s where I spend most of my time and despite the occasional out of order machine, or busy hours, the place is just perfect.

Back when I was but a little squeak, fresh down from the Highlands where we have open space in which to exercise, I was a little perplexed by the Stevie. Machines and stuff. Weights. Strange sweaty men lifting said weights, and people who clearly know what they’re doing with/​on said machinery. I went to a few classes and occasionally used the pool but for the most part I stayed away, more content to do the sort of weight lifting that involved pint glasses, and aerobics that involved a dance floor.
These days however, I’m getting a bit more into this whole fitness malarkey, and as I get alumni rates and it’s close to my house, I find myself here more and more. There’s a good range of equipment, it’s been (fairly) recently refurbed, opening hours are good for pre– and post– work (and lectures, I suppose) although I’d prefer more evening stuff. But hey. The running machines and cross trainers have tellies in them. If you’re looking for distractions, Big Bang Theory whilst running is pretty decent.
Benefits of it being a uni gym — it’s quiet-​ish first thing on a morning and post 5pm.
Downside — AVOID AVOID AVOID during Freshers’ Week.

Students at Glasgow Uni, don’t take this for granted! The Stevie really provides excellent facilities, a great range of classes, and instructors who know what they’re talking about.
I’ve been a member since first year at University, and have carried that membership through to my working life. I mainly go to several classes and do use the gym equipment too. I’d highly recommend muscle tone, Michelle knows what she’s talking about (just look at her guns!), boxfit is great for high-​intensity cardio, core balls for more strength work, and step for some high-​paced aerobics.
Membership is super cheap for students, I think around £35. Having spoken to friends from other Universities, the prices can be a lot higher and the facilities quality a lot poorer.
I’ve never had a problem with other members of the gym acting arrogant or intimidating. You probably will see sweat-​soaked muscle-​bound Adonis-​impersonators strutting their stuff, but it’s a gym. That’s part and parcel of the membership! I’ve made some great friends through the classes, and the instructors are all really approachable, friendly and fun!

I joined «The Stevie» every single year I was at Glasgow Uni, in those 5 years, I’m honestly lucky if i visited a dozen times.
That’s not a critique on the facilities, which are excellent and cost less for a year than your average gym would do in a month, but more to do with the fact I just didn’t really feel that comfortable surrounded by twitching steroid fans, and when it came to the running machines and stuff, I just got bored to tears. I’ve heard exercise is addictive, but at the moment I still find sitting around on my fat arse, eating takeaway that bit more of a draw.
That said, when the 30s kick in and the bad habits start catching up with me, I’ll need to grit my teeth and join a gym, and this fine example will probably be at the front of the queue, even if their non-​student prices are a good bit steeper.

The Glasgow University Gym is convenient, cheap for students of the university and does exactly what it says on the tin. For Uni students a year’s membership is round the £35 mark — but if you’re not a student it costs a lot more — and I can’t help thinking that you’d be better placed to join a proper gym…
Saying that, this gym ain’t half bad. It has a swimming pool, a cardio suite, a weights suite and holds regular drop in exercise classes. The Cardio suite especially is really useful — there are more treadmills than you can shake a stick at, a good few rowing machines, some cross trainers and some exercise bikes. It can get very busy at peak times, as can the rest of the building, so do be careful about when you go.
The changing rooms fit the purpose but aren’t particularly fancy — no worries though, because they’re soon to be refurbished (though I’m not sure how comprehensive the refurb is going to be).
You can even rent a towel for 50p if you’ve forgotten yours. What more could you want from a gym?!

This place has all the potential to be a brilliant sports facility and it is reaching it on the majority of accounts but unfortunately it attracts people who strut about the place like King Louis!
I guess that critisim isn’t exactly the fault of the gym itself, but just be warned, you will bump into the most immature, folk in the University. The kind that double take themselves in the mirror, just to make sure they like what they see. Saying that I am in here quite a lot (Oh God, please say I’m not one of them!) as £40 for a whole years membership is too good to pass up! Again just watch out at the membership is Sept-​Sept and not a year form when you pay your fee.
To get away from the hustle and bustle of the weights and cardio room, head up to the top level as they have cardio machines which are hooked up to the telly. Just bring along your headphones and you can watch the likes of Sky News and a bunch of other channels. It is usually a lot quieter up here and not too many ironmen kicking about.
The swimming pool in here is great, note huge but still around 25meters with 6 lanes and is usually pretty quiet in the early afternoon. Just check the time table if you plan on going a swim though as they book out the whole pool for certain clubs.
All in all this is a great asset to the uni and make the most of it if you can. Oh, and don’t forget your 10p for the lockers!

Like Eleanor I have many a year invested in the gym membership here and I’m glad to say I have actually gotten my money’s worth. The reason being for this, that it is not a difficult target to meet. The gym membership is now around the £35 mark but each individual session would cost you around £3 if you don’t have a membership. See where I’m going?
Nonetheless, for your money (either way) you are getting a very good deal. They have a pool (on the small side and to be avoided at weekends and 5pm7-​pm on weekdays), sauna, steam room, cardiovascular suite and weights suite (I have a very similar experience to Eleanor, not pleasant).
Following, my unpleasant experience of wandering into the weights suite I have began to go along to the drop in exercise classes. These are well advertised and can be done by pretty much anyone (as long as you go at your own pace). They include: muscle tone (weights), step (more difficult that it looks), circuits (hellish — it will kill you no matter what pace you go at), abs blast (so scary a concept I’ve never tried it) and one entirely focused on stretching (I pulled a muscle I never knew I had, in my inner thigh).
On the upper levels, I’m well aware that they have courts for squash, badminton and all the likes, though I’ve never made it this far up the levels. However, they do offer good rates if you are splitting them or decide to block book over a few weeks. There are also beginners, intermediate and advanced classes round twice yearly, so sporting bunnies can improve their game too.
All in all excellent facilities (if a little small) for an incredible price. Though, this deal deteriorates a lot if you are not a current student at Glasgow Uni.

Every year of my university career I’ve signed up with good intentions for the £30 a year gym membership. It’s an absolute bargain and one which I should be making full use of but I always find myself thinking of excuses and convincing myself that I’ll go next week, or any other week just not the present one. For that £30 you can use all of the gym facilities, including the pool and sauna.
I seem to spend my time thinking of going rather than actually going. I even made an Ipod gym playlist which included Eye of The Tiger to get me in the mood to sport it up.
I remember in first year I decided to go with a friend and after breaking a sweat on my 2 minute jog on the treadmill I was beat. So, we decided to take a break and walk to the muscle building suite with weights and the like. We walked in, looked around at all the huge beefcake guys and walked right back out again, it wasn’t really the look we were going for. After that, we headed back to the treadmills, did about ten minutes and decided to head home.
For people who are interested in fitness then Glasgow Uni Gym is fab and is open to non-​students too. There are also various different clubs and sports societies you can join to keep you fit and healthy and most of them look like good fun too.

Glasgow University’s Gym which is not just for Glasgow University students, but anyone, though only at off-​peak times.
You can hire out the place for playing badminton, basketball etc as well at a reasonable price if you split the cost over a few heads.
They have a busy swimming pool, and it’s not very big. The changing rooms are a bit dingy as well which is a bit off-​putting to be honest.
Bring flip-​flops.
Not as good a sports complex in total than The Arc at Glasgow Caledonian, but it is cheaper with more machines in the gym. And there isn’t a swimming pool at Caledonian!
If you want to go swimming properly though, I don’t recommend here as being top of your list.