The gym floor is a glorious chaos of clanking weights and determined faces. I swear, some people there are lifting cars in their spare time. But the machines are actually decent – not ancient relics from the 90s.
There’s a whole cardio cinema zone, too. You can watch Netflix while sweating on a treadmill. I once watched a whole episode of a drama and forgot I was running. My legs hated me later, but my brain was hooked.
What about the pools?
Ah, the pools. They have a 25-metre main pool that feels endless when you’re doing lengths. And then there’s the teaching pool, which is basically a giant bathtub for adults. I’m not judging. I’ve seen people nap-floating in the shallow end.
They also have a flume. Yes, a slide. You can pretend you’re a kid again, but with a slightly creakier back. The thrill of the splash—does it ever get old? No. No, it does not.
The changing rooms are a story of their own. They’re clean, mostly. But the lockers are a game of chance. Bring a pound coin, but also a good luck charm. I’ve seen people do a full dance trying to get their locker to close. It’s a bonding experience, really.
Handy Cross Leisure Centre, High Wycombe
