Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym Reviews 

119
TrustScore 4 out of 5

3.9

Richfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ Reading, GB


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See what reviewers are saying

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Really happy with the progress my child has made during their swimming lessons on a Thursday. Brandon is an excellent teacher where my child actually enjoys going to the lessons. Everything seems w... See more

Company replied

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Hello. I had booked 24th aug as my first adult swim class and i was unable to make it . I called the centre in the morning and was given a mail to request replacement class which i have and no respons... See more

Company replied

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Resources were better than expected. Lots of plus signs eg. Cleanliness , receptionist very helpful, changing facilities very good, swimming pool warm, gym equipment certainly above average. Two area... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I've recently joined Rivermead Leisure Centre and I am loving it. Ample car park, lots of classes easy to book, plenty of staff helping members, pool to get back into swimming. All at reasonable price... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Leisure Centre
  2. Fitness Center
  3. Gym
  4. Indoor Swimming Pool
  5. Library
  6. Outdoor Swimming Pool

Written by the company

Welcome to Better! We’re a charitable social enterprise, committed to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. From gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools to lessons and courses for both adults and juniors - plus libraries and children's centres - we've got it all. So whether you’d like to try something new, keep the kids entertained or have a dip in the pool, discover our inclusive range of activities, suitable for all ages and abilities at your local Better centre today.


Contact info

  • Richfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ, Reading, United Kingdom

3.9

Great

TrustScore 4 out of 5

119 reviews

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1-star

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3.9

All reviews

(119)

5,263 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great facility

Great facility, always clean. Friendly staff

January 23, 2024
Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym logo

Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Good Morning Ashleigh,

I am writing to thank you for your review. It is heartening to hear that the staff at the Rivermead Leisure Centre have been friendly, welcoming, and professional towards you and your son when you visit our facilities. We take pride in providing excellent customer service, so I am pleased to learn that you have experienced just that.

I hope you will continue to visit our centre and enjoy the numerous activities we have to offer.

Kind regards,

Charmaine

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Anticipating the improved facilities.

Until the new swimming area is built, there will always be negatives about the current facilities. I have found the staff and customers to be very helpful and friendly. Looking forward to the new pool.

November 13, 2023
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Good Afternoon Andy,

Thank you for your review.

We are very sorry for the disruption at the Rivermead leisure centre until the new pool is ready. Once this is fully completed, we hope our customers will enjoy the new pool. 

Please accept our sincere apologioes for the inconvenience caused during this time.

Kind regards,

Charmaine

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great support

November 2, 2023
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Hi Deborah,

Thank you for your review.

We are happy to hear you are enjoying Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym.

Warm Regards

Hazal

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Even though you have basketball court…

Even though you have basketball court it is not possible to use it because of badminton . And it's not possible to book as normal sessions only special occasions bookings.
Also the cleaning of the shower should happen before or after gym is close, because sometimes on man changing room you want to take a shower but the cleaning lady is there.

October 10, 2023
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Hi Jonatan,

Thank you for your review.

We are sorry to hear that you have not been able to book Basketball and we have passed this onto the centre.

In addition, if you would like to discuss this with the centre directly, their email address is: rivermead@gll.org

Warm Regards

Hazal

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very easy to join

Very easy to join, great price, did what it said on the tin.
Only issue is that there was no induction for new members to use the gym equipment which would of been nice.

October 1, 2023
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Good Evening Andrew,

Thank you for your review.,

We are very happy to hear that you are enjoying your membership at the Rivermead leisure complex. We are sorry to hear that the centre were not offering Inductions as our system allows customers to opt into an Induction if they require this. Did the staff at the centre confirm that they are unable to offer you an Induction?

Kind regards,

Charmaine

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Hi Blake,

Thank you for your review.

We are happy to hear you are enjoying the facilities at Rivermead.

Warm Regards 

Hazal

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Really nice and clean gym

Really nice and clean gym. Was busy but enough machines for everyone

August 13, 2023
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Hi,

Thank you for your review.

We are glad to hear you are enjoying the gym at Rivermead.

Warm Regards

Hazal

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No safety in softplay for younger children

The softplay equipment itself is great. My child (22 months) and I attended last week and I noticed that hardly any parents were actually monitoring children’s behaviour…parents are ‘supposed’ to be doing this at all times and the Rivermead manager I spoke to (Brad) and staff were unable or unwilling to supervise. At first it explained that this was due to understaffing but also that supervision is ‘not our responsibility as it’s run by an outside company’. Even staff popping in and reminding parents that they must be actively supervising their children each session/as they arrive, would be helpful.

In the area that is designed to be for under 2s, older children are in this area constantly and are incredibly rough. Whilst I was there this time I witnessed older children pushing younger children out of the way/down slides to speed them up, stepping on them like they are stairs, running at full speed and crashing into others, throwing the ball pit balls hard at other children’s heads, etc.

I don’t expect total regard from other children for the safety of my child in the main softplay areas but in the area designed for under twos, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect it to be safe. Two other parents/grandparents left at a similar time to me for the same reasons.

Staff refunded me the cost of the softplay and apologised for the experience which I appreciate but from the response it is clear you won’t be adding any staff supervision (I would argue this is a must during holiday periods) or think about reducing numbers further than you already have. I was told there will be clearer signage going up but this won’t help with the lack of supervision.

August 14, 2023
Unprompted review
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Hi,

Thank you for your review.

I am sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your session at Rivermead.

I will pass your feedback to the centre team so they can investigate.

Thank you again for taking the time to provide us with this valuable feedback.

Warm Regards

Hazal

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Great new gym but hygiene could be improved

Great new gym, full of brand name equipment. The gym has three squat racks including one with a deadlift platform. The main issue for deducting a star is cleanliness. I almost never see anyone wipe down equipment/benches/mats except myself. There are not enough signs or cleaning stations to prompt people to do this either. There is also no hand sanitiser in the gym. I have also seen a hair band on the floor for weeks, leading me to believe that the floor is not cleaned regularly. I hope hygiene standards can be raised and prioritised or else the gym will start to look like the old one that is being demolished!

August 2, 2023
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Good Afternoon Miki,

Thank you for your review.

We are very happy to hear that you are enjoying the newly refurbished Rivermead leisure centre and the great new equipment including the squat racks. However we are really disappointed to hear that the hygiene levels at the centre are below standards. I will pass on your comments and feedback for the attention of the centre manager so he can investigate and resolve the issues mentioned.

We hope you can continue to enjoy this centre going forward.

Kind regards,

Charmaine

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Staff were helpful and supportive…

Staff were helpful and supportive finding both children swimming lessons at a location and time that works for us

July 4, 2023
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Hi Mrs Cruse,

Thank you for your review.

We are happy to hear our staff at Rivermead were able to assist you. 

Warm Regards

Hazal

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Bad experience regarding clarification…

Bad experience regarding clarification and help
Website and app both don’t have enough information on how to login/signup and nothing is mentioned about cancellation policy .

I called before registering to make sure how I would have to cancel the class as I knew I will have to travel. They told me you will have to cancel before your 4th session. I did the same and still got 30 pounds deducted even after cancelling a month in prior . Now I called again and they told me to write an email. I wrote an email and nobody has answered the email yet.

Poor app , poor website , poor sharing of information , communication

The only good thing is instructors are nice and friendly with children .

June 20, 2023
Unprompted review
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Good Afternoon Asyed,

Thank you for your review.

I am very sorry to hear that you were given incorrect information on how to cancel your membership. You are required to give us a 20 day notice period when you wish to cancel your membership and this is required to be done via the App or in writing to customer services. If you have sent us an email are you please able to clarify the ticket number of the email trail and I can pick this up and view the information stated by our team?

Kind regards,

Charmaine

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Nice and quiet place to excercise

The gym was quiet with a lot of equipment. The staff was helpful and polite.

June 20, 2023
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Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym

Good Afternoon Vasiliki,

Thank you for your review.

We are delighted to hear that you are enjoying the facilities at the Rivermead leisure centre. We are also happy to hear that the Gym has a good choice of equipment available and the staff are helpful and polite. I will pass your positive feedback onto the centre.

Kind regards,

Charmaine

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