Staff support for using the app was everything I needed. Coach on duty for the programme was helpful and encouraging. I was the only person I saw using antibacterial wipes before or after using equi... See more
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Location
Switch locationRichfield Avenue, RG1 8EQ Reading, GB
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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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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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Staff on site largely great Sadly, hard to book onto decent Pilates classes due to low allocation and people booking on then dropping off. I don't have time to monitor the waitlist day to day. Long... 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
4.1
Great
123 reviews
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Everyone friendly and good gym
14 October 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Susan
Thank you for your review.
It is great to see that you are enjoying your experience at Rivermead Leisure Centre and that the staff have been able to enhance your experience with us!
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Kind Regards
Amir
So easy to book activities
So easy to book activities, lovely clean facilities and staff are friendly
7 October 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Good evening Angela,
Thank you for your lovely feedback!
We’re so pleased to hear that you find booking activities easy, our facilities clean, and our staff friendly.
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Kind regards,
Ellis
Aiming for better health in retirement
Staff support for using the app was everything I needed. Coach on duty for the programme was helpful and encouraging.
I was the only person I saw using antibacterial wipes before or after using equipment ... do users understand etiquette or hygiene?
Good range of equipment.
16 September 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Gordon,
Thank you for taking the time to share your review!
We're delighted to hear that our staff were able to support you with the app and that the coach on duty was helpful and encouraging throughout the programme.
It's also great to know that you found a good range of equipment available. We appreciate your comments regarding the use of antibacterial wipes and gym etiquette.
Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is important to us, and we will share your feedback with the team as a helpful reminder to continue encouraging good hygiene practices among all users.
Thank you again for your valuable feedback, and we're pleased to hear you had a positive experience overall.
Warm Regards,
Azaria
Women's Lifting 💪🏼🏋🏼♀️
Women's Lifting 💪🏼🏋🏼♀️
If you've not had the opportunity to try the women's lifting sessions at Rivermead - do it!
There's classes and education sessions - both great and informative, the instructors are brilliant!
We want more!!
1 September 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Dessie
Thank you for your review.
It is great to see that you are enjoying the women-only lifting class at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym, and we really appreciate your recommendation!
We look forward to seeing you at the next class, and we will be sure to pass your feedback on!
Kind Regards
Amir
Supportive Staff.
6 September 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Prabhas
Thank you for your review.
We are very happy to know that the team have been able to support you when needed, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance!
Kind Regards
Amir
feedback for adult swim class at rivermead reading
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 response. The system then showed me 31st aug as my next class. I went up to rivermead only to find the centre was closed. Again i requested for replacement by mail No response :0(
24 August 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Asha,
Thank you for your review!
We usually do not offer replacement sessions if the pupil is unable to attend their class.
This is offered when we have to cancel the lesson and a notification is sent in advance.
We're more than happy to offer a replacement session or credit for the class last Monday.
Please send an email with some more information to our Customer Service Team, and put 'FAO Kaisha' in the subject so I can locate your request.
Our email address is: customerservices@gll.org
We look forward to your response!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
This is a miserable facility
This is a miserable facility. I showed up three times, and each time there was a software problem which made it impossible for me to simply use the facilities. Ridiculous!
I asked to speak to management the last time and waited 20 minutes, then gave up and cancelled my membership. My membership clearly existed, as I had to sign in and go down a rabbit hole to request a refund. Oh, my god.
This place is a hot mess. Can only recommend that you run from it.
10 August 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Cynthia,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We’re very sorry to hear about the difficulties you experienced on multiple visits and the frustration this caused.
We appreciate how disappointing it must have been to be unable to access the facilities due to software issues, particularly after making three separate visits. We’re also sorry that, when you asked to speak with a member of management, you were left waiting and did not receive the assistance you were looking for.
Your comments regarding the access issues, membership cancellation and refund process have been shared with the relevant management team for review and consideration.
We’re sorry that your experience fell so far short of the standard we aim to provide, and we appreciate you bringing these concerns to our attention.
Kind regards,
Suheera
Brandon is an excellent teacher
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 well organised and have seen a big difference in my child’s swimming skills, especially whilst we’ve been on holiday!
Would definitely recommend!
30 July 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Flo,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback!
We're delighted to hear that your child is enjoying their Thursday swimming lessons and making such great progress. It's especially rewarding to know that Brandon has helped create a positive and enjoyable learning experience, and that you've seen a noticeable improvement in your child's swimming skills, even during your holiday.
We're also pleased to hear that you find the lessons well organised. Your kind words and recommendation mean a great deal to the team, and we'll be sure to pass your feedback on to Brandon.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing your child continue to develop their confidence and skills in the water.
Warm Regards,
Hazal
Excellent deal
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!
15 July 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Jacopo,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review.
We're really happy to hear you've settled in well and are enjoying everything Rivermead Leisure Centre offers. It's great to know you're making the most of the classes, swimming pool, and facilities, and that our team has helped make your experience a positive one.
We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Kind regards,
Suheera
Better hire Gemini Parking Solutions to…
Better hire Gemini Parking Solutions to rob your money. Send you PCN with no good reason. Then you appeal, there is no record or reply, then send the debt collection company said you did not pay. No record of appeal, directly send you double and more penalty.
How can you go to leisure center and deal with such parking company, Gemini ??
Yes you can, Walk or ride there.
Never drive.
13/6 update: Thanks Better to reply here for caring of customers. I will contact Better for the issue.
Gemini Parking does not use email for handling appeal, you have to submit appeal via the web. But Gemini will send you the result of appeal by Email?!
In fact, you never get the results by email. Gemini claimed so. So you did not get the result of appeal and you are charged for double penalty or more.
Let's see Better will really look into the matter, I believe Better will as I had very good customer service experience before from Better.
21/6 update: GLL adviced me to contact the centres directly.
Rob in Meadway Leisure Centre replied in 1 day and settled the case. Very helpful and efficient!
However, NO reply from Rivermead Leisure Centre after 5 days. No information whether it has been received or not .....
Update on 15 Oct:
Finally, there is no more notice from Gemini. Gemini will never tell you the result. When you get no more notice from them, for a considerable length of time, then the case is closed.
That's why I edit my comment after 3 months. Better is indeed helpful but Gemini is too bad to deal with.
6 June 2026
Unprompted review
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Good morning,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for your patience throughout this ordeal.
We’re sorry to hear how stressful and frustrating this situation has been, particularly with the lack of communication surrounding your appeal. We appreciate your kind words about our customer service and are pleased to hear that Rob at Meadway Leisure Centre was able to help resolve the matter.
Thank you again for your patience and for giving us the opportunity to assist.
Kind regards,
Ellis
Easy to book and check in.
Easy to book and check in. Good gym facility, air con, lots of space, new equipment and plenty of it.
27 May 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Brian
Thank you for your review.
We are very pleased to see that you find the booking and check-in easy and that you are enjoying the gym at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym.
It is also great to hear that the air conditioning and modern equipment are enhancing your experience with us!
Kind Regards
Amir
Thoroughly enjoyed my swimming lesson…
Thoroughly enjoyed my swimming lesson thank you, the teacher tailored it perfectly to my ability. I can’t wait for my next lesson on Sunday. Thank you!
10 May 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Sara,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your swimming lesson at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym and we can't wait to see you again next week!
Warm Regards
Hazal
Everyone has been so supportive and…
Everyone has been so supportive and helpful.
So big thank you to all.
4 May 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Peter,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We’re delighted to hear that the team has been so supportive throughout your experience!
Feedback like this means a great deal to us, and we’ll be sure to share your thanks with everyone involved.
We really appreciate your support and look forward to welcoming you back to Rivermead soon.
Warm regards,
Azaria
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Narender,
Thank you for your lovely feedback!
We’re delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience with our staff.
Providing a welcoming environment and high-quality instruction is really important to us, so it’s wonderful to know the team made a great impression.
We truly appreciate your review and look forward to welcoming you back to Rivermead soon.
Warm regards,
Azaria
Nice experience
The staff is nice, the facilities are new and very clean and the classes so far have been fun
17 April 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Andrea
Thank you for your review.
We are very pleased to see that you are enjoying the facilities at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym and its great to hear the staff are creating a nice atmosphere!
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Kind Regards
Amir
The lessons are overcrowded and very…
The swimming lessons are overcrowded and very less attention is given to each child. Kids would take months before they can move to another stage which is a waste of time.
Before moving home, our son was having lessons at a different centre which had more space for lessons, different techniques learnt, and was able to swim independently. After joining here, it seems his entire learning is reset to 2 years back when he first started taking swimming lessons. The main reason being that not enough space is given for children to perform as the smaller pool is divided into 3 parts with loads of children in each of the parts. The scenario appears to be like a holiday water park.
15 April 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Ratnakar,
Thank you for your feedback!
We’re sorry to hear that your experience with our swimming lessons hasn’t met expectations.
We understand how important it is for children to receive enough individual attention and to feel they are progressing at a good pace.
Our lessons are structured to balance group learning with individual development, and we aim to have a ratio of 8 to 10 children per swim teacher.
We also offer private 1-2-1 lessons, which may be more beneficial for your little one and their progression.
We're always happy to discuss this if you want to consider this as an option.
We're more than happy to raise this with the wider team for further review.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying Rivermead Leisure Complex!
Warm Regards,
Tom
Swimming for fitness (lane swimming)
Swimming for fitness (lane swimming). Very good, continuous life guarding, clean and tidy, not crowded.
25 March 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi David,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying the facilities at Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym, and the staff at Hackney Marshes Centre have been so supportive!
Warm Regards
Azaria
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Evelyn,
Thank you for your feedback!
We're deeply saddened to hear about the issues your little one has experienced with our pool temperature.
We're more than happy to raise this with the wider team to see if there have been any issues with this recently.
Thank you again for raising this with us!
Warm Regards,
Kaisha
He is really happy to join you
My son always looks forward to go swimming and around there.Thank you
5 March 2026
Reply from Better - Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym
Hi Sam,
Thanks for your review.
We are so pleased to hear that you are enjoying Rivermead Leisure Complex and Gym!
Warm Regards
Azaria
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