Visiting the pool at Nuffield Edinburgh (New Mart Road)
5
5
Date of visit: May 2021
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
I’ve joined this gym to do hydrotherapy and physiotherapy. It is the best gym I have visited for access and their facilities are great too!
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The gym is level access and split over two levels (accessible by lift behind reception and staircase). There is a cafe and sitting area to the right of the gym entrance which you do not need a membership card to enter. Once past the turnstile, which is wide enough for wheelchairs, you face the lift and the accessible changing room/toilet. There is a door on the other side of the toilet which takes you out to the pool (see pictures). Upstairs on the gym floor there are different sections separated for different machines and workout areas. Areas are signposted and there are no doors to push upstairs in this area. The pool is my favourite part. This is accessible through the changing room/toilet and has a hoist which the lifeguards are happy to help you with. There is the main pool and then smaller jet style pools which you can use. I have not tried the saunas so cannot comment on accessibility.
Parking & Transport
Good
There is blue badge parking right next to the main door. Buses stop a bit away (Lothian 4, 20, 34, 35, 44) but the paths and drop kerbs are flat if you’d like to come this way. I come by foot (on wheels) through the Water of Leith pathway.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
As I mentioned above the toilet is also a changing room / shower room with seating and rails. There is also a red cord next to the shower although this doesn’t reach to the floor yet. Inside this room there are also two low down accessible lockers which are very spacious. I have taken pictures and written captions which you can view. I dropped a half star as there was not a red cord next to the toilet which I think is a big safety issue.
Staff
Excellent
Very helpful! Staff often walk around the floor so you can call for help or ask questions. Upon joining I had a tour of the gym and then later another induction chat where a member of staff talked to me about my goals and how they can help with my therapy routines.
Additional Information
During Covid (visited May 2020) there are hand sanitiser dispensers around the gym and wipes available which you are encouraged to use on equipment after use. There is a one-way system and reduced capacity in the gym so people feel safe moving around. You are allowed to take masks off whilst exercising and swimming (as per Gov guidelines) but when going around the floors or in the reception, lifts etc, masks should be worn unless exempt.
