Kenwick Health & Leisure Club

Expensive is really the first thing that springs to mind when someone mentions Kenwick. Although no doubt worth the money (providing you have time to use the facilities) the membership isn’t just a sign up and pay monthly, but also one where you must own a ‘share’ too. This costs a large lump sum, which when you no longer want it, you must sell. Owning this share, then costs you a fixed price each month too. As well as the gym and health facilities, there is a restaurant and hotel. This is expensive too but has mixed reviews from being amazing to being awful.

In Louth you have two choices if you want to swim or use a gym — the ELDC pool on Victoria Street, or Kenwick. Kenwick is slightly out of town, so it’s less accessible than the town pool, and it’s a members-​only health club, so the fees are offputting for some. However, in my opinion it is well worth the fees.
The opening hours are excellent — it’s possible to use the gym from 6.30 in the morning which is perfect for working people like me, and because of the long opening hours it’s rarely very busy as people come and go. There’s a wide array of weight benches, a well stocked free weights area, several treadmills, cross-​trainers and exercise bikes and a spinning studio.
The pool is a nice shape, with a gently sloping beach and mini-​pool for children, and a luxurious sauna, steam room and jacuzzi around the outside. Views from the pool are of the park, so it feels like being on holiday. Swimming lessons are available for children and there are various fun splash events.
I rarely use the café so can’t comment on the food, but my favourite facilities at Kenwick are the free towels and the separate dry/​wet changing areas — little touches that make a big difference. I also love the beauty salon tucked into the eaves of the building!
My only bugbear is with the crèche — fees were recently increased to nonsensical levels which means using the crèche for short sessions isn’t economically viable, and therefore one of the club’s selling points (childcare while you exercise!) has been reduced in value for me. Still, all told it’s an excellent investment for the whole family in my view.