Center Parcs Sherwood Forest - Fitness Centre
Minimal equipment, maximum price - £7 for what most hotels include free
Location: Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire
Type: Holiday Park Gym
Cost: £7 per session (on top of accommodation)
Opening Hours: 8am - 8pm
This is what happens when a holiday park adds a gym as an afterthought. Tucked inside the activity centre, the fitness room is tiny with Life Fitness equipment crammed into every corner. £7 per session for access.
The space works if you want 20 minutes on a treadmill while the kids are doing an activity, or if you need a run and the weather's bad outside. Beyond that, it's severely limited.
Equipment
Three treadmills, two exercise bikes, and three cross-trainers cover the cardio. For strength, there's one dual cable machine (functional trainer) with rope and straight bar attachments, one chest press machine, and one leg extension/leg curl machine. Medicine balls available (1kg, 2kg, 3kg, 5kg). That's it. No dumbbells, no benches, no free weights. Wood flooring throughout and no natural light. The equipment is well-maintained Life Fitness, but the selection is minimal and the space is cramped.
The Arnold Score: ☆☆☆☆☆ / 5
Equipment ☆☆☆☆☆
One cable machine, one chest press, one leg extension/leg curl machine. No dumbbells. No benches. No barbells. Nothing for serious strength work.
Convenience ★☆☆☆☆
Opens 8am-8pm. Located in the activity centre. No changing facilities at the gym - you arrive in kit from your lodge, not even hangers for the coats. £7 per session on top of accommodation costs.
Community & Facilities ★☆☆☆☆
Tiny space with equipment crammed together. No room to work around other users. Feels like an afterthought rather than a proper facility.
Total: 0.5/15 - Completely inadequate for any structured strength program.
The Radcliffe Score: ⭐⭐½ / 5
Equipment ★★★☆☆
Eight cardio machines (3 treadmills, 2 bikes, 3 cross-trainers) for a small facility. Life Fitness equipment runs smoothly. Limited but functional if cardio is your only goal.
Convenience ★★☆☆☆
8am-8pm hours are reasonable. £7 per session feels steep for what you get. No changing facilities means you're walking through the activity centre in gym kit.
Community & Facilities ★★☆☆☆
Cramped space makes it uncomfortable when busy. There is no natural light. Designed for quick sessions between activities rather than proper training.
Total: 7/15 - Works for basic cardio but nothing special.
The Wim Hof Score: ⭐⭐ / 5
Equipment ★★☆☆☆
The cable machine and leg extension/leg curl combo can work for a full-body maintenance session if you're creative. Medicine balls add some options. Limited but usable for light resistance work.
Convenience ★★☆☆☆
Convenient location within Center Parcs if you're already there. £7 charge is frustrating when most hotel gyms include fitness in the room rate. No spa or sauna access with gym fee.
Community & Facilities ★★☆☆☆
Small space feels claustrophobic when multiple people are using it. Works for parents killing time during kids' activities.
Total: 6/15 - Adequate for very light maintenance only.
Best for: Basic cardio between activities, indoor running when weather's poor, very light resistance work
