Top 3 Gyms: Opening Times for Any Busy Schedule

If your favourite method to destress after a long day in the office is a good cardio session, or if you are working towards a stronger, healthier body, you will know the gym is a feel-good place away from the chaos of everyday life.

Since April 2021 saw the opening of gyms to the delight of gym goers, many were eager to finally get back to their routine and work on their fitness, yet others found it more difficult to adjust their busy schedules to the gym opening times.

For those who aspire to find some time to frequent the gym, and those already regularly there for their daily workouts, it will be important to know that some gyms have opening times to fit any schedule. With the help of information experts Opening Times, we have put together the top 3 gyms for busy schedules, with some of the most broad opening times.

Therefore, read on to find out more about the top 3 gyms that work out for any schedule, their opening times, and the best times to go, as well as the things you need to keep in mind while attending your workout sessions considering the current Covid regulations.

What are the top 3 gyms for busy schedules?

When you are working long hours, long weeks, and long months, it can feel like you have no chance to go to the gym. No matter how much you would like to destress, life gets in the way. Gyms that close their doors with you on their doorstep, can be frustrating when the only time you can have a session is 11pm.

We have collected data on the top 3 gyms for busy schedules in Nottingham, Manchester, and London, to give you an overview of the best gyms with long opening times. Although these are specific sites, most gym locations will have similar opening times across the United Kingdom. Therefore, check with your local gym to make sure the times match.

Read on to find out more about the three best gyms for busy schedules, which will make setting time aside to work out a little easier.

PureGym

PureGym has the best opening hours by far, with a full 24/7 availability for gym goers, which is perfect for any busy bee who also find their time to frequent the gym in early mornings and late nights.

Their locations in Nottingham, Manchester, and London all feature the same schedule from Monday to Sunday, open from 12pm to 12pm.

Therefore, whether you would like to go to the Pure Gym on The Square, Nottingham, on Market Street, Manchester, or on Commercial Road, London, you can do so at any time, any day your busy schedule allows, which is also the case for many locations across the country.

Virgin Active

Virgin Active comes second in the top, with a flexible range of opening hours tailored to those who have little time to work out and who rely on mornings and evenings.

The opening hours vary based on their location, as well as over the weekend, making it slightly more challenging to abide to exercise plans if they happen to be closed when you plan on going.

Therefore, the following are the opening times at Virgin Active for busy schedules, listed for Nottingham, Manchester, and London.

Virgin Active Nottingham

The Virgin Active branch on London Road in Nottingham is open from 6am to 10pm on weekdays, and 8am to 8pm on weekends.

Virgin Active Manchester

On Salford Quays, Virgin Active has opening hours similar to their Nottingham branch, open between 6am and 10pm during weekdays (apart from Friday when they close at 9pm), and between 8am and 8pm on weekends.

Virgin Active London

The Virgin Active branch of Westferry Circus in London has slightly different opening hours, as it is open between 6am and 10:30pm Monday to Thursday, with varying hours for the remainder of the week. On Fridays, the gym is open from 6am to 9pm, while on Saturdays it opens from 8am to 8:30pm, with opening hours between 9am and 8:30pm on Sundays.

Nuffield Health

Third in this top, Nuffield Health gym is similarly accessible for those who prefer an early start to the day through a quick workout, or a late after-work session.

The opening hours differ depending on location and day, making it important to know when exactly the gym is open.

Therefore, the following are the opening times for Nuffield health in Nottingham, Manchester, and London.

Nuffield Health Nottingham

The Nottingham branch of Nuffield Health on Plains Road is open between 6:30am and 10pm on weekdays, and between 8am and 8pm on weekends.

Nuffield Health Manchester

In Manchester, Nuffield Health on Withy Grove is open during the same hours as the branch in Nottingham, between 6:30am and 10pm on weekdays, and 8am and 8pm on weekends.

Nuffield Health London

In London, the Nuffield Health gym opens slightly later than the other branches, with a 7am start and 10pm close on weekdays, and opening hours between 9am and 6pm on weekends.

What is the best time to go to the gym?

As gyms are now open for all to partake in daily exercise, they tend to get quite crowded, even with a limited amount of gym goers allowed inside. While for some it is enjoyable to work out alongside others, people who are concerned by the possibility of contracting Covid at the gym want to avoid peak hours.

With this in mind, we have collated the best times to go to the gym, both during the week and at the weekend. With insight into different levels of activity within the gym created through our own testing using Google data, we figured out the least busy times, which we are presenting as the best for your safety.

Read on to find out the best time to go to the gym in Nottingham, Manchester, and London if you want to avoid busy equipment, crowds, and the overall hectic environment that erupts during peak hours at the gym. We looked at PureGym as our starting point since it is the only gym open 24/7, but please keep in mind that peak and off-peak hours will differ based on the gym and its location.

What is the best time to go to the gym during the week?

The best time to go to the gym during the week in Nottingham depends on the day, as Monday and Tuesday off-peak hours are before 3pm and after 9pm, while on Wednesday and Thursday the best hours to go are before 6am and after 10pm , as well as during lunch hours, 12pm to 3pm. Fridays see a less busy time, when you can go nearly at any point of the day without encountering crowds.

In Manchester, Mondays have the best times to go to the gym, when going before 5pm and after 7pm will offer you a nearly free gym. However, Tuesdays mark an increase in numbers of customers between 5pm and 9pm, making the rest of the day safe for a quieter experience. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays become nearly inaccessible to those looking for off-peak hours during the day, as the best times to go to the gym are before 6am and after 10pm.

In the case of London, any hours on Monday are amongst the best time to attend in the week. On Tuesdays, there is a slight peak in the late afternoon and early evening, however making any hours before 5pm and after 10pm perfect for a session. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the gym gets busier, and so the best times to attend are before 6am and after 11pm. Fridays bring afternoons arguably off peak, when you can go to the gym any time after 3pm, or before 5am, if you are an early bird.

What is the best time to go to the gym during the weekend?

During the weekend, the best hours to attend the gym in Nottingham are before 8am and after 5pm, although the gym is usually not too busy during the day, and has decreased numbers of gym goers on Sundays, a rest day for most.

In Manchester, the weekend brings similar hours for off-peak gym goers to those in Nottingham, when working out at the gym is best before 8am and after 6pm. Sundays do see a considerable drop in numbers, making them the best day to attend the gym by far.

During the weekend, the best times to go to the gym in London are on Sunday as well, when venues are quiet for most of the day. For those who wish to go on Saturday and have Sunday off, the best times are either before 8am, or after 6pm.

What Covid safety measures are there at the gym?

Ever since gyms were able to reopen on 12 April 2021, gym goers have made their return to a routine of exercise, eager to work out once again. This was great news to all, especially as it signalled a decline in Covid cases, which let the country reach step two of the roadmap out of lockdown.

The return to gyms also gives a necessity to abide to Covid safety measures to maintain a low number of cases and avoid infection.

Read on to find out what the rules and restrictions are within the gym, and whether you need to wear a face mask and socially distance during your workouts. Please check with your local gym as well, to make sure these measures apply in their case too.

Do you need to socially distance at the gym?

A return to the gym also gives the chance to re-join your workout buddy and challenge each other through collective workout sessions and mutual support.

One of the key things to keep in mind at the gym is the necessity to socially distance from others. If you wish to work out side-by-side with your friend, a gap between yourselves, facing away from each other is essential.

Gyms will have implemented social distancing measures such as rearranged, spaced-out equipment, one-way lanes, and markers on the floor to enable you to work out safely. The only thing you must do is, therefore, ensure you remain socially distanced to others.

Do you need to wear a face mask while working out?

Many gym goers are concerned that wearing a face mask might obstruct the circulation of oxygen during workouts, which is a reasonable fear during high impact exercises like running, cycling, and so on.

One of the main safety measures to consider is the necessity to wear a face mask while passing others within the gym, as well as while standing in close proximity to them.

However, there is no official advice on whether you should wear a face mask while exercising, especially given you would be expected to socially distance during your workouts as well.

What other Covid safety measures should I be aware of at the gym?

Gyms have implemented monitoring of gym goer numbers to ensure the venue is not too full at any given time, and that social distancing can be maintained.

Anti-viral disinfectants are used for careful and regular cleaning procedures to safeguard your health and enable you to use the equipment without worrying about Covid transmission through surfaces.

There are self-cleaning stations, as well as hand sanitising stations, for you to disinfect your equipment before and after use, and to be able to regularly clean your hands.

By the end of June, marking the fourth stage of the roadmap out of lockdown, the Government plans to disband the current Covid safety measures and restrictions, meaning life would return back to normal at the gym as well. This will happen as long as the final review is favourable, and Covid does not pose a threat to your health anymore.

We hope that this guide for the best 3 gyms with opening times for your busy schedules have been helpful in guiding you towards the time frames available for you to attend the gym. Similarly, it is our hope that our discussion of Covid safety measures within the gym and insight into off-peak hours is helpful, and ensures you can go back to the gym and enjoy a session without too much trouble.

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