Nuffield Health Friern Barnet Fitness & Wellbeing Gym - London

BaRa C.

The issue's I experienced over the year i have been with Nuffield (Friern Barnet)

Locker rooms outdated and worn out, still the same lockers/infrastructure from decades ago with another company logo.

Steam room unclean, you would think during the course of the day it would be shut for a brief period of time for a quick clean to resume service. (On a personal note I have become ill just hours after its use, and this has happened a two times in the recent past)

I have personally on a number of times seen staff/managers walking in the swimming pool area with their shoes on without covers, so I advise to not go bare foot anywhere in the locker rooms or swimming area.

Sauna is very small and they turn it on when they feel like it, which in my eyes is theft, your paying for a service that is not provided. When it is on I assure you it is not at a temperature which sauna's should operate at to get the desired health benefit. (No wonder they do not have a thermometer placed in the sauna)

The gym is lacking in the range of equipment you can get at any other gym (that costs less than half the price a month Nuffield charges)

The managing staff don't seem to care about the issue and are even hostile to criticism of the facilities. (This i found out myself after talking to many of the people that attend Nuffield over the past year)

And just to add a cherry on top, they have once again increased their prices.

EDIT: I gave a 2 star rating instead of 1 because the classes that are run at Nuffield are pretty good. This gym does have the potential to be very good. They just need to put in the work.

Jack L.

Every other machine broken, decor is horrific, dirty, not well kept or maintained at all. Falling apart.

They can't even be bothered to replace lightbulbs or even get the same ones. Wall is mouldy and damp, paint peeling. What's the excuse there?

Awful equipment, everything is about 20+ years old, including the treadmills and cardio equipment. No wonder it keeps breaking. All the attachments are broken, disorderly and filthy and just thrown about with zero care.
Rubbish gym: poorly managed, poor communication and poor value.

Needs a LOT of improvement.

Sophie T.

I am genuinely disgusted by the state of this gym. The facilities are outdated, poorly maintained, and downright dirty. Nothing better illustrates Nuffield Health’s failure than its refusal to invest in the basic standards required for a gym to function. It’s an embarrassment to the brand and an insult to its members.

This area desperately needs a functional, affordable gym that is clean and doesn’t pretend to be elite while delivering sub-standard facilities. Today, four treadmills were ‘out of order,’ and other equipment was clearly broken. The fact that prices have increased despite overwhelmingly negative reviews is nothing short of a slap in the face to loyal customers.

It’s clear this club is haemorrhaging money and would benefit from new ownership with the means and commitment to fix its glaring issues. For over £90 a month, failing to provide basic amenities like towels is unacceptable. The changing rooms and lockers are old, tired, and in desperate need of renovation.

The overall value for money here is abysmal. Save yourself the frustration and avoid this gym at all costs—it’s simply not worth it.

Tanvir M.

The sauna is always broken, last 5 months steam room broken once (2weeks), sauna broken all of October 2024 and all of Jan 2025, considering busy period for gyms in Jan, they aren’t bothered about service, numerous parts of gym broken, less of an issue but they don’t fix for ages.
Russian manager lady isn’t bothered, don’t believe they’re lies when you visit, they never fix anything very slow if they do, and steam room sauna broken all the time. Cable on machine as you enter gym broken for since September. Same gym equipment last 10 years barely any change.

No rebate, other gyms far away, considering this is tier 1 and expensive not worth it. Don’t believe they’re lies. This management I’ve called up each week for two months only to be ignored and delayed. Very disrespectful. Shame used to be okay for price, now it’s not.

Susan V.

Absolute Nightmare – Avoid Nuffield Health Friern Barnet at All Costs!
0/5 stars – I wouldn’t give this gym a single star if I could! Joining Nuffield Health Friern Barnet was the worst decision I ever made, and I’m begging anyone reading this to steer clear unless you enjoy wasting money and risking your health. This place is a disgrace from top to bottom.
First off, the cleanliness is non-existent. The gym floor is caked in sweat, grime, and who-knows-what—sticky patches on the equipment, dust bunnies the size of small animals in the corners, and don’t even get me started on the changing rooms. The showers are mouldy, the tiles are cracked, and I’ve seen more hair and dirt in there than in a haunted house. They claim to prioritize health, but this is a biohazard waiting to happen!
Then there’s the maintenance—or rather, the complete lack of it. Half the machines are broken, and the ones that aren’t feel like they’re on their last legs. Treadmills stop mid-run, weights machines jerk and groan like they’re about to collapse, and there’s only ONE functional cable machine for the entire gym—ridiculous for a place charging premium prices! The equipment is so old and worn out, it looks like it’s been salvaged from a junkyard. Rusted weights, peeling upholstery, and screens that haven’t worked since the 90s—it’s embarrassing.
Oh, and forget about towels. They stopped providing them years ago (supposedly for “hygiene” reasons post-COVID), but good luck finding a clean surface to wipe your face on. Bring your own, or prepare to sweat it out in misery. It’s just another sign of how little they care about members.
The staff? Useless. Complaints about broken machines or filthy conditions are met with shrugs or empty promises that “someone will look into it”—but nothing ever changes. The whole place feels neglected, like Nuffield has forgotten this location even exists. For the exorbitant membership fees, you’d expect state-of-the-art facilities, but this is a rundown relic that should be shut down, not promoted.
Do NOT join this gym under any circumstances. Save your money, your sanity, and your health—head to a local council gym or budget chain instead. Nuffield Health Friern Barnet is a sham, and I regret every second I spent there. Canceling my membership was a relief, but not before they tried to squeeze more money out of me. Avoid, avoid, AVOID!

SLW M.

I have been a member here since February 2025. The staff are very friendly and always approachable and I agree with alot of the reviews that the outside is lovely, the building and surroundings are very appealing but inside definitely needs some TLC. It is very outdated and a bit run down but that does not take away the fact I do like this gym. The classes are good which is the main reason I joined. I did not plan on using the actual gym when I joined but I had a PT taster session with Paul Zenonos and then started having a 1:1 session with him once a week, he is great, he knows what he is doing and always makes it fun. He works me hard and I'm improving weekly all while having a gossip and a laugh in the process ! He makes gym time enjoyable, something I never thought I would say as I have never really enjoyed the gym at all ! I would like to see more Mezzanine Classes... Circuits, HIIT, Bootcamp, Legs Bums & Tums, Boxing Circuits etc from 6pm daily for those who cannot get there for 5pm due to work... there are some, but not enough.
I usually go to Paul's classes or Roshan's classes, they are both very good Instructors/PT's, friendly, fun, good vibes, high energy and smiles all round ! Overall, I am happy with this gym, with a few tweaks, it could be even better !

Billy C.

Nicest staff and Members of any Nuffield I’ve been to (City Member) - but the facilities themselves are quite literally falling apart

Sauna out of use due to broken benches?
No spin dyer?
No towels provided?
Locker doors hanging from their hinges?
Broken gym equipment/out of use equipment
Smallest Free-weights section I’ve ever seen
Last but certainly not least😂 - the ceiling in the male changing room has collapsed - but fear not, it’s been securely cordoned off by the cleaners trolly and a wet floor sign!😂

I checked how much monthly membership was out of curiosity, (as mentioned- my home club is Nuffield City) £118.00 a month… I was speechless- I have been to better Pure Gyms at £20 per month

This is not a gym for people who actually work out, this is a gym for people who like to say they go to the gym and also like to tell everyone it’s a Nuffield… because at the moment Nuffield is still a well respected brand… however it seems to be deteriorating rapidly so I can’t imagine it will be seen as a “flex” being a Nuffield member for much longer

However, this is not the worst Nuffield I have ever been to- that crown has to be given to the Hendon Club… the “No Spitting” signs on the gym floor tell you everything you need to know.

City and Moorgate are the only two clubs worth the money these days - but most people don’t live in the Tower of London so some investment into your clubs outside of Zone 1 would be appreciated

Hemel Hempstead - Tiny, No Towels, Car Park 10 minute walk away

St Albans - Pretty good but ridiculously overpriced

Hendon - Helldon

Frien Barnet - Gobsmackingly poor

Next stop was Enfield but quite honestly I think I’ll save myself the petrol money and start looking at memberships elsewhere

Richard Y.

Some very solid takedowns here. Have used Nuffield Moorgate, was considering joining here but now won't. Its amazing how some businesses think there is margin in underinvestment as a business model. Nuffield - we can all use a perfectly serviceable Better gym on a pay as you go basis for a fiver. You have a long way to go to justify £110 of our money.