The Russell Seal Fitness Centre: Affordable or Overpriced?

Though there are many perks to being a University of Exeter student, there are some major flaws: the average clubs, the hills around campus and, of course, Sidwell Street.

However, by far the biggest issue for me is the price of the sports facilities, especially when in light of the prices charges at other universities.

With the launch of the new Russell Seal Fitness Centre, the rise in membership prices was inevitable, seeing as the “world-class” facility has “over 200 (work-out) stations” and cost £6.5 million to construct.

The £6.5 million Russell Seal Fitness Centre

However, it will cost every student who wants Gold membership £240 for the academic year. Throw into the mix the fact thats only really eight months, and it works out at around £30 a month – and you can’t pay by direct debit.

When you compare this price to the Fitness First in town, which works out at £32 per month for a 12-month contract, the real issue arises. The sham here is that a privately owned enterprise costs the same as a university gym for students – and at least Fitness First has a pool.

So, how do we compare with other universities price-wise? Well Birmingham, York and Leeds charge £199, Warwick £190 and Newcastle a mere £170. Our gym may be superior, but £50 a year better? You decide.

It’s quite ironic they have an escalator, then.

Perhaps one positive is the fact that the cost of standard membership has fallen from £40 to £22. However, the powers that be have both upped the cost of each session, and passed the cost on to societies, meaning clubs such as Tennis raise their membership fees from £80 to £100.

These bikes are pretty sweet, though.

Overall, then, compared with both other universities and local facilities, and when coupled with the ridiculous presumption that we can all afford to pay £240 up front, the Russell Seal Fitness centre could seem very overpriced.