Iffley Road Track Oxford

"Regretfully, the gym does not seem to heed to constructive feedback. A litany of serious issues appear to fall on deaf ears so to speak.

Make sure you record time / date of any conversation with front of house/ gym reception team. For example, I was able to provide evidence of location, date , time and asked for cctv footage when it was brought to my attention Poppy ( gym supervisor) felt intimidated when I spoke to her about a health safety issue alongside the cobweb on gym equipment ( see photos attached ). Surprisingly, the gym had no veritable evidence of alleged intimidation. I do recall Poppy laughing at the pics’ description. Do you think the photos attached are hilarious for a gym’s maintenance?

I have used this gym for many years living locally and as a student it is convenient. I have membership to better gyms which I rotate with Iffley Road sports’ club.

From my perspective, the staff at the gym have become laissez faire and extremely rude over the past couple of years especially reception front of house in terms of regulating gym and monitoring safety and well being.

For example, one particular personal trainer bullied my partner so often to hurry with equipment; she ceased her membership. He prioritised and monopolised gym equipment for his private fee 121 session.

Generally the entire gym / track seems to be in continuous disrepair. There are no notifications. You turn up and it’s not uncommon something is awry.

At the moment the track is being repaired and the outdoor gym is affected by limited space which creates tension amongst users due to limited space.

Disabled men’s toilet on/off out of use for months.
Men’s toilet cubicle out of use for months.

1. The staff especially on reception seem bothered when you ask legitimate questions. Many a time, they are using their personal phones while allegedly working ( 5/6/25 ) is the most recent example where Poppy was upset I had troubled her over her team’s questionable etiquette.

2. I have reported potential health and safety issues only go be met with scorn.
I have photo evidence yet this seems superficial to the front of house reception.

3. Poppy ( duty leader /front reception ) a typical over promise under deliver attitude especially after reporting one of her support team, Ruben for violating health and safety standards by talking to me while I was working out pushing a heavy loaded sled.
R. thought I was creating drama when I mentioned his misdemeanour to Poppy after my workout.
Incredulously he was telling me to put away the weights after use while I was working out on a set! Despite Poppy promising to send an email to acknowledge my complaint within a time date she miraculously failed to do so. I asked her upon my next visit why this was the case but she was too occupied using her personal phone with a buddy at reception and giggling away.

4. I have shown photos of floor damage inside gym where potentially anyone can twist/ sprain an ankle or worse; alas to no avail; staff have laughed it off. The photo of the gym floor shows the disrepair alongside a sizeable piece of stone.

After 2 months of raising this potential issue it was finally rectified.

5. Gym equipment with cobwebs while the staff amble around glued to personal phones not interested in genuine feedback.

6. Gym membership cancelled each month by defective gym software for past six months yet the blame is directed at me and, more recently, my bank.
I be would turn up to gym have booked online a session in Pulse gym to be turned away on several occasions.

7. Many user’s monopolise gym equipment and are on their phones which makes using equipment tiresome.

The gym is collectively used only by a select number of serious people who want to have a productive workout.

The biggest red flag is the staff. Several tears ago there was a good productive vibe in the gym but nowadays it’s very solemn."

Sharing Is Caring

"Equipment is dated, rusty, and falling apart. Indoor gym is “limited” to 10 people based on the booking system. However, if you are like us, you will get in trouble for using the indoor gym instead of the outdoor “gym” (see pictures for the lake that you’re supposed to lift in) when 18 people were in the indoor gym. For a storied university like Oxford, 2 squat racks and 3 treadmills cannot service 26,000 students plus faculty and community members.

I recently had a negative experience with the staff as they rudely implemented their new booking policy harshly and with no acknowledgement about their limited space and poor conditions. Despite this new policy of 10 people & prior booking, older non-student age adults were being accommodated and treated differently.

People want to work out, so let them. Either limit your membership, expand your gym, or let it be busy and have people adjust to come at different times. The current situation is untenable."

Kris F

"Amazing historic track. I was surprised that there weren’t more runners making a pilgrimage to this track. The track was amazing. 6 full lanes and 8 sprint lanes. Did a couple of miles with the family and we all had a great time. Bought the tickets there for 4.50 quid and it was well worth it. Bathrooms and water in the center alone. Just glad that I was able to visit this track in my time at Oxford."

Lucas Chang