Really happy with the progress my child has made during their swimming lessons on a Thursday. Brandon is an excellent teacher where my child actually enjoys going to the lessons. Everything seems w... See more
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Location
Switch locationRichfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ Reading, GB
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Hello. I had booked 24th aug as my first adult swim class and i was unable to make it . I called the centre in the morning and was given a mail to request replacement class which i have and no respons... See more
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Resources were better than expected. Lots of plus signs eg. Cleanliness , receptionist very helpful, changing facilities very good, swimming pool warm, gym equipment certainly above average. Two area... See more
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I've recently joined Rivermead Leisure Centre and I am loving it. Ample car park, lots of classes easy to book, plenty of staff helping members, pool to get back into swimming. All at reasonable price... See more
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Company details
Written by the company
Welcome to Better! We’re a charitable social enterprise, committed to the health and wellbeing of everyone in our community. From gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools to lessons and courses for both adults and juniors - plus libraries and children's centres - we've got it all. So whether you’d like to try something new, keep the kids entertained or have a dip in the pool, discover our inclusive range of activities, suitable for all ages and abilities at your local Better centre today.
Contact info
Richfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ, Reading, United Kingdom
4.0
Great
122 reviews
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It was great experience for me that…
It was great experience for me that I've learned a lot of informations and ideas that I didn't know before and showed me a future long term plan to be constructed for managing weight control and diet sorting.
18 February 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Fadi,
Thank you for your kind review!
We're happy to hear that you had a great experience during your visit to our Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym.
It's great to know that you've gained a lot of information regarding your long-term plan for managing weight control and diet.
We can't welcome you back soon and support you on your journey!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Health-Wise Gym induction & Swimming
I've had today gym induction with Jemma through Health-Wise: she's very caring, patient, very honest & polite. Really knowledgeable, understanding and helped me after discussing with her colleagues for me to feel more comfortable in new situations environment with my personal/physical health struggles, I feel really safe🌟
After I was in swimming pool which was quieter than when I was there last time, I really appreciate all your help and caring to make me feel more comfortable and safe in difficult situations cause by my personal physical health conditions, thanks very much to all 🌟
25 February 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Lenka,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We’re absolutely delighted to hear about your positive experience during your Healthwise gym induction at our Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym.
It's amazing how caring and supportive Jemma was, while ensuring your safety comfortability and building your confidence throughout our session.
We’re also glad that your swim felt more relaxed on this visit and that you continue to feel supported by our team.
Thank you again for your kind words!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Really clean and well signposted to…
Really clean and well signposted to different spaces/ activities so easy to find your way around the building. Staff were friendly and helpful. Online booking is simple. Cafe is lovely but needs more seating and tables.
20 February 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi BB,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym and we appreciate your feedback on the Cafe!
Warm Regards
Hazal
I recently joined the this leisure…
I recently joined the this leisure center membership and go to there 4 times a week, I really enjoyed it, it's clean, lots of activities you can try.
7 February 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Helen,
Thank you for your feedback!
We’re thrilled to hear that you’re enjoying your membership and making the most of our Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym, four times a week.
It’s great to know you appreciate the cleanliness and variety of activities we offer.
We look forward to welcoming you back again soon for many more enjoyable visits!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Kids swimming lessons at Reading Rivermead Leisure centre
Great facilities which are not utilised properly. 10 kids are jammed in a tiny area with no space left to swim! How do you expect them to learn?? Kids' progress is not updated at all. Thankfully I managed to move my child to another centre, where he quickly progressed. I should have transferred him sooner!
28 September 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hello Michael,
Thank you for your comments and feedback.
We are sorry your son's swimming lesson did not meet up to your expectations at The Rivermead Leisure centre.
We have passed on your comments to the Swim School to review.
Kind regards
Belongings are not safe
I left my shoes and socks in the designated strorage area before going into the swimming pool changing area and they were stolen. Better refused to accept any responsibility despite no notices warning that items are left at owners risk.
Edit: Better have since offered to refund the cost of replacement shoes - thank you!
19 January 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hello Linda,
Thank you for your comments and feedback.
We sincerely regret to learn about the loss of your property at Rivermead Leisure and Complex.
Please be informed that we have forwarded your concerns to the Centre Manager for further review.
Kind regards
Caroline from Healthwise.
Caroline was professional and friendly.Explained about Healthwise membership terms. Looking forward to getting fitter and healthier. Thank you.
23 January 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Karen,
Thank you for your amazing review!
We're thrilled to hear how professional and friendly Caroline was during your visit to our Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym.
It's great to know that you now understand the terms and access you have with your new Healthwise Membership.
We can't wait to support you on your journey to becoming fitter and healthier.
Thank you again for your kind words!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Great gym
It is my favourite gym. They have Technogym which is superior to other brands. I love the buzz with all the weekend events. The management listens to concerns which is highly important to feel included when you have little interaction with people in the gym
1 April 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Thank you for sharing your appreciation and your feedback with us, Chris,
We are very happy to hear you like your visits, and our staff's effort to make your experiences enjoyable is noticed and appreciated.
Kind Regards
Rejoining Better
From start to finish the experience of rejoining Better has been faultless and timely. Everything is going the way that I would expect. Keep up the good work.
4 January 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Stuart
Thank you for your review, and welcome back!
We are very pleased to see that your journey with Better has been good, and we hope this continues.
Kind Regards
Amir
Resources were better than expected
Resources were better than expected. Lots of plus signs eg. Cleanliness , receptionist very helpful, changing facilities very good, swimming pool warm, gym equipment certainly above average.
Two areas that could be improved without too much effort 1. Only one swimming costume spinner( should be at least two for size of facility) and it was not working! Had a black coffee in cafe - truly awful; two sips and left it. By the way, saw a young chap take a sandwich and drink without paying - staff (briefly ) not at counter -suggest not making the sandwich and soft drinks so easy to take without paying.
30 December 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi David
Thank you for your review.
We are pleased to hear you enjoyed the cleanliness, facilities, and helpfulness of our reception team.
We appreciate your comments regarding the swimming costume spinner and café coffee, and we’ll be looking into both.
Thank you also for raising the issue about the unattended counter. We will pass your feedback on to be reviewed.
Kind Regards
Amir
Rivermead Reading.
Rivermead Reading.
The facilities, especially the spin studio, are consistently poorly maintained. The lights and air-conditioning rarely work properly, and many of the bike saddles are loose or wobble. It’s obvious that building maintenance is not a priority for them.
I paid a year up front and and they repeatedly added incorrect “non-attendance” fees for classes I actually attended. Because of these errors, I was unable to book classes for a total of around eight weeks during my prepaid annual membership, all due to faulty barriers. Removing these charges always took far too long, whether it was in person or on email and despite raising the issue multiple times, head office still hasn’t resolved my complaint.
Overall, a very disappointing experience. I would not recommend this gym to anyone.
1 August 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hello A Cole,
Thank you for sharing your feedback.
We’re very sorry to hear about the issues you’ve experienced. This is not the level of service we aim to provide.
We take maintenance and customer experience seriously, and we regret that these problems impacted your membership.
We’d like to investigate the incorrect charges and booking issues further to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
Kind Regards
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Paul,
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us!
We're so happy to hear that you've had such an easy, straightforward registration process.
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Nice new facility, but please ban chewing gum
Nice new facility, but please ban chewing gum from the centre as this is already in the floor tiles of the swimming pool changing cubicles
12 November 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Caversham
Thank you for your review.
It is great to see that you are enjoying the new facilities at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym, and we appreciate your feedback regarding the chewing Gum.
We will pass your feedback on!
Kind Regards
Amir
Yoga studio floor was not clean though…
Yoga studio floor was not clean though my class was the first to start in the day
11 November 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Customer
Thank you for your review.
We are sorry to hear about your recent experience at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym, and we have passed your feedback on to the General Manager to review.
We hope this will assist in improving your experience with us.
Kind Regards
Amir
Really sorry to be leaving
I am leaving Reading. One of my greatedt regrets is stopping my membership of Rivermead leisur centre. The facilities are good, the staff friendly and capable. The variety of classes excellent. Only problem would be the difficulty in getting on the more popular classes, like yoga and circuits.
However the value is terrific. I was getting 2yoga sessions 2 functional fitness classes 2 swimming sessions and 3 additional gym sessions a week for under £40 a month. Can't be bad. Greatly reccomend
19 October 2025
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Stephen
Thank you for your review and recommendation!
We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the classes, facilities, and our team during your time at Rivermead.
It’s great to know you found such good value in your membership. We understand how popular classes like yoga and circuits can fill up fast, and we’re always working on ways to make booking easier for everyone.
We hope to see you again soon!
Kind Regards
Amir
Lovely centre with good pool clean…
Lovely centre with good pool clean changing rooms and a good selection of classes
15 October 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hello Liz,
Thank you for your comments and feedback.
Kind Regards
This is a very simple system to use
This is a very simple system to use. I use it several times a week and have not had any problems at all. Very user friendly
1 October 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Denise,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying booking system.
Warm Regards
Hazal
The venue is nice and proper
The venue is nice and proper, the staff is professional & genuinely kind.
30 September 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Francis
Thank you for your review.
It is great to see you are having a good experience at the Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym.
We also appreciate the amazing feedback regarding the staff members. We will be sure to pass your feedback on!
Kind Regards
Amir
There is a queu to get to the class
There is a queu to get to the class. If I'm late I have to wait to get in which is frustrating.
16 September 2025
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Antonia
Thank you for the review.
We are sorry to see that you may have to queue if you are late.
We would encourage you to arrive on time, so you do not need to queue.
Kind Regards
Amir
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hello Alejandro,
Thank you very much for your comments and feedback.
Kind Regards.
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