The gym area is compact but surprisingly well-equipped. You’ve got your treadmills and bikes, a decent stack of dumbbells up to 50kg, and a few cable machines that look like they’ve survived a war. Don’t expect a juice bar or a spin class with a DJ. Expect honest sweat, the clanking of weights, and the occasional grunt of effort. There’s a small studio that runs yoga and pilates, but the real charm is the lack of pretension. Nobody is filming themselves for Instagram. They’re just trying to get through their reps before grabbing a pint at the bar.
I’m a bit cynical about gyms, but this one works because it’s attached to the sports. You don’t just go to lift; you go to get stronger for your next tennis match or to recover from the squash beating you just received. It has purpose.
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Why You Should Join (Even if You’re a Lazy Bum Like Me)
Look, I’m not going to pretend I’m some athlete. I joined because a friend dragged me along, and I kept coming back because of the weirdly sociable atmosphere. You can be terrible at tennis (me) or get demolished in squash (also me), and someone will still buy you a drink and analyze your technique with genuine interest. Maybe too much interest. It’s the kind of place where you make friends because you’re all suffering together in a shared, healthy way.
If you’re looking for a glossy, 24-hour super-club with a smoothie blender and pro trainers who charge £80 an hour, keep walking. But if you want a proper sports club—with creaky floorboards, a warm clubhouse, and people who genuinely love the game—then Lee On The Solent is your spot. Just bring a towel, some self-deprecating humor, and maybe an ice pack for your dignity.
Oh, and one last thing: the bacon baps from the bar are dangerously good. You’ve been warned.
