Jo Richards Dance & Fitness

Jo is absolutely amazing! I started doing personal training sessions with her six weeks ago. My usual workout routine at the gym focused on cardio so Jo wanted to teach me all about strength training. I was always too embarrassed to try the weight machines in the gym and never really understood how to target specific muscle groups. However, after just one session, Jo already made me feel more confident in what to do. She is a great teacher and an even better motivator (always has a smile on her face and plays really good music during your workouts!). At the end of our six sessions, I already have so much more muscle tone and cannot wait to continue my strength training. I highly recommend Jo if you are looking for a positive, vibrant, experienced, and motivational trainer! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I love working out with Jo! Shes super knowlegable and experienced, taking the time to teach you proper technique for long term success. She listens to her clients carefully and always makes sessions fun! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I've been training with Jo along with a friend for 3 months now. She is so lovely and encouraging and always makes sure our sessions are tough but at the right level for how we are feeling that day. We have both definitely seen an improvement in our strength and fitness during this time. Jo definitely knows her stuff - I would highly recommend! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I’ve known this boss lady for nearly 9 years and only recently started training with her as I knew she was someone I could trust not to BS me. I’m so glad I bit the bullet. She pushes me to my absolute limit but is so professional about it. All of her advice is based on my personal goals/body composition/flexibility. She is such a down to earth, fun and professional trainer with so much knowledge. If you want someone with all of the above and a healthy positive mindset towards life and fitness choose this gal. She will work you hard! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I've been training with Jo since January this year with a clear goal in mind to become stronger, leaner and look good in my wedding dress come July ; -)

Jo has helped me achieve my goal in fitting perfectly into my dress and has supported me along my training journey. She is great at setting individual goals, reading your individual needs and figuring out a plan that will 1. kick your butt into shape, 2. that really works well with your current fitness level and 3. is designed to get you places in a realistic and sustainable manner.

When I felt crap about seeing a lack of progress she was right there and kept pushing me, modifiying my diet, workout plans etc until, lo and behold I actually see a wonderful befor after in those (awful) progress photos she has me take ;)
She is always just a message away via her handy app and has great ideas and tips to keep the workout anything but boring. (In fact I find her to be going harder and harder on me!) I never thought I'd be one to start weight lifting, but thanks to Jo I've really found a form of exercise that compliments so many of my other sports I like doing. Her knowledge of the human physique has been a great support in getting started with weightlifting, thereby also avoiding any injury. This was something I was quite nervous about and she took into account again.

I feel more confident and healthy since i started lifting and I am not ashamed to say I've learned so much about my own body and what kinds of food work with me and which don't.

She will always greet you with a smile and a hug and is your biggest supporter in your training/weightlifting/dieting journey and that works literal wonders!

So thanks Jo! You are basically Wonder Woman and are shaping me up to do so as well! 10/10 would and have recommended to friends :-) More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Great gym and friendly staff, though often too crowded to use the machines that I want.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Best gym ever. Extensive cardio equipment. Multiple free weight rooms. Pool, squash courts, climbing wall and archery range. Daily organised classes. Very reasonably priced for students and staff, as well as outside members. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Lot of cardio equipments so the wait time is less but make sure to avoid going at 5/6pm. Renting a swish court is a little expensive. Would definitely recommend it given that there are many floors at the gym and a lot of options More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Fantastic facilities and lots of sports clubs, although most are only available to Edinburgh University students. Membership available to all, just not the sports clubs and the gym facilities are fantastic. Parking can be difficult and it is by permit only in the car park, but there is plenty of metered parking nearby! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

The best equipment and coolest staff i ever met

Reviewed on Google Maps

Great gym - great value for money. I highly recommend it for all students.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Very popular and well-equipped.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Fantastic facilities and lots of sports clubs, although most are only available to Edinburgh University students. Membership available to all, just not the sports clubs

Reviewed on Google Maps

my favourite place. There are all kind of sport environment. I like boxing room.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Dance classes: I love attending Jo's dance classes - being able to bust out some moves with her after work was such a good stress release. Jo motivates you and makes you feel like a number 1 dancer, even if you have two left feet. When it comes to strength training, she is up to speed with her knowledge of the right way to do things - giving you expert tips to get the most out an exercise (including different levels to suit each person) and ensuring the correct technique to make sure you don't hurt yourself. I've seen such great results in my overall muscle tone and I don't even feel like I'm working out. I've taken friends to her classes and they've all loved them and regularly attend themselves. Love it! More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Very well equipped gym. Layout is slightly confusing.

Reviewed on Google Maps

I understand from talking to a lot of other people in Edinburgh, that this is the best equipped gym in the whole city. Very good value for money as well. Can get a bit busy at times, but usually there isn't much of a wait for equipment. You never have to wait for the cardio equipment, but the free weights and machines are usually quite busy. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

This is the university gym! It's absolutely huge! It runs loads of free classes and has a climbing wall and bouldering room I use regularly. The staff are great and it's amazing value for money. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I was here for an exam, which was decent, can't say what it is like as a sports facility though. Looked pretty good

Reviewed on Google Maps

Fantastic facility

Reviewed on Google Maps

Fantastic gym. Great staff, great equipment. Large free weights area great cardio equipment. I think they should extend the opening hours on the weekend until at least 8pm.

Reviewed on Google Maps

Excellent gym and pool. It's just a shame they're not in the same building!

Reviewed on Google Maps

The Centre for Sport and Exercise is a five-star gym that beats out the rest on both quality and price. It is not just the new, fantastically-built university gym for Edinburgh University, but it is also a community gym that welcomes members of the public to join as well, for just slightly higher rates. (Roughly £15 per month for students, £25 per month for partners of students or staff, and £30 for community members I believe - which really is a bargain for all groups!)

I like that this gym has variety and great quality. The main cardio room has great machines with touch-screen TVs that are easy to navigate and the best and most current gym technology - including free bracelets that let you tap into the exercise machines and keep track of your weekly goals. Behind the main cardio room is a weight room that can be very busy with lots of testosterone monopolizing the weights, but at lunchtimes it is much less busy and intimidating.

In the back, with stunning views of Arthur's Seat, is my favorite gym room with great elliptical trainers along the walls and many large individual mats on the floor for using weights, medicine balls, exercise balls, etc. It is much more calm than the other rooms, especially with the natural lighting and great views.

I also love the classes, and they have 60 per week to choose from! I regularly go to the spinning, Zumba, and circuits classes and have also tried out Aquafit, step aerobics, and mind and body. They have all been great with really nice and helpful instructors. You book all of the classes online from seven days before the classes, but can also sometimes show up and see if there is extra space to join in. The classes at the CSE are my favourite offerings!

This is a fantastic gym and has a great vibe about it. With your membership, you also have access to the pool that's in another building, and you can buy an add-on to your membership giving access to a climbing wall that's pretty cool too. There are also squash and basketba More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Hey all,I have been going to Jo's x-fit class since joining the Uni gym in Edinburgh last September. I thought I'd give it a go despite it being on Sunday mornings and I really really enjoyed it! Even though there are other x-fit classes on the timetable the Sunday morning hall out of bed os worth it purely because Jo leads such a good class compared to the others.....each week there are new exercises and this I find really keeps me interested in the class and on my toes during the class. I have been going to the class ever since and I can never predict what lies in store but I know I will always leave it sweating buckets and feeling great. Due to a busy Uni timetable I haven't been able to regularly attend more of Jo's classes i.e. her dance classes which has really annoyed me.....I was able to go to one Cardio Street Funk one and LOVED it ......so different and the movements that she makes you do wake up muscles you never knew you had, and all while feeling like you're out dancing! I really hope to go to more of these in the future!Great work Jo....you know I'm a big fan ;) Cath More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Jo has worked with my Son rory for over a year now. He is partialy sighted and has problems with his short term memory as a result of a tumor when he was 2. He is now 22. She has been fantastic and made a real difference to his life. Thank you Jo and good luck with your business. You are a star.Peter More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I have attended Jo's Dance Base and outreach dance classes (jazz and commercial hip hop). They're great fun, so motivating and there's a lovely, positive vibe in the class. They keep you really fit. Great moves and great tunes! No pressure to be the best or get it right first time - Jo just tells you to improvise and give it your all! Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in dancing, having fun and keeping fit. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

I met Jo a year ago. Jo is not just a great teacher, she's the essence on how a teacher should be.She knows what you need, knows how to motivate you, and makes you fight for your goals. If you need to learn she'll be the teacher that you need, if you need motivation she'll be the friend and right personwho'll stick be your side and make you "wurk".During her 1-2-1 dance classes I managed to lift my confidence and improve my technique.She helped me on my journey and I can say she is one of the persons who made me a better dancer.If you need a person who's got the skills, ability and intuition to make you become a better personJo is the one to have by your side.Elegant and cool, determined and smart she is a great PT, amazing dancer, and inspiring dance teacher. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

It's huge and they have everything! Amazing views to Arthur's seat included! I highly recommend also for the great price!

Reviewed on Google Maps

Brest gym ever. Extensive cardio equipment. Multiple free weight rooms. Pool, squash courts, climbing wall and archery range. Daily organised classes. Very reasonably priced for students and staff, as well as outside members. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps