Sparkhill Pool & Fitness Centre

Overall, Sparkhill Pool is a really nice facility — the pool itself is clean, well-maintained, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed coming here for lessons over the past few months. I’ve made great progress and now feel confident swimming in deep water. I’ve even swum the full length of the pool with my husband during mixed sessions without any issues. However, during the women-only sessions, I’ve found the attitude of some lifeguards quite disappointing. One in particular has been rude and unreasonably strict. When I tried to explain that I feel confident swimming in the deep end, I was told that if I continued going there, I would be banned unless I took more lessons. This feels unfair and comes across as a way of pushing people to spend more money rather than supporting their progress. I completely understand the importance of safety, but lifeguards should also be polite, professional, and encouraging. Their role is to ensure safety — not to discourage capable swimmers who have put in the effort to learn. A more respectful and understanding approach would make the experience much better for everyone.

Overall, Sparkhill Pool is a really nice facility — the pool itself is clean, well-maintained, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed coming here for lessons over the past few months. I’ve made great progress and now feel confident swimming in deep water. I’ve even swum the full length of the pool with my husband during mixed sessions without any issues. However, during the women-only sessions, I’ve found the attitude of some lifeguards quite disappointing. One in particular has been rude and unreasonably strict. When I tried to explain that I feel confident swimming in the deep end, I was told that if I continued going there, I would be banned unless I took more lessons. This feels unfair and comes across as a way of pushing people to spend more money rather than supporting their progress. I completely understand the importance of safety, but lifeguards should also be polite, professional, and encouraging. Their role is to ensure safety — not to discourage capable swimmers who have put in the effort to learn. A more respectful and understanding approach would make the experience much better for everyone.

Womens gym good, not that big but equipment is good, nothing fancy. Lots of ladies classes available although some turn on the music way too loudly. Sauna is nice. Ladies swimming (main reason I joined): it's not lane swimmers friendly, the only time where you can swim nicely is at 9pm which I think is too late. All other sessions are learning and kids hang out sides. They leave a tiny lane for the ladies who actually want to lane swim and its not very pleasant as its too narrow and difficult to overtake. Most sessions are also always completely full and it's difficult to get a slot, you have to wait for cancellations on the day. Also, they pack us like sardines which makes it worse, I remember one time 9am it was lane swimmers and there were like 5 lanes or so and was super crowded. I think more ladies sessions should be added as they're clearly very popular but the managers responses to the raised issued fell on deaf ears. Moved to another venue now with purley lane swimmers hamdulillah. Since swimming was the main reason for joining I give 2 stars, the other gym stuff is Good and if u don't care about swimming ull be fine.