Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre

“Today I have paid a visit for gym workout and sauna relax to this brand spanking new Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, right in the heart of city. Absofitnesslutely! - You will be pleasantly surprised by its magnificence - quality equipment, customer service excellence and friendly atmosphere😊❤️ My body is still singing the Age of Love by Charlotte De Witte out of the joy😊❤️ Let's start with parking - it is enormous, so your fitness starts right with walking to the building. The parking is free for 120 mins, and then $5 per 60 mins, as long as you register your car on the parking meters (which are inside the building, and they are not obviously visible). There are no obviously visible signs of the parking info outside and inside the complex, so easy to miss and risk a fine. By the way, there is no obviously visible sign of where the main entrance is. At the main entrance, a lovely customer service girl greeted me with her shiny smile and guided me through this massive complex. Thank you very much😊❤️ The fitness center, along with group fitness rooms, is located upstairs (Level 2). There is a dedicated customer service desk at the gym. The center has excellent equipment by Hammer Strength/Life Fitness - from cardio (treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, stairmaster), strength (racks, benches, cable machines, leg presses), to free weights etc. - for every single muscle you would like to work on. There are two hydration/water stations - at the entrance, one inside and one outside. There are aromatised wet wipe stands around the gym for cleaning etc. No paper towels, so make sure you bring your gym towel (besides, we are trying to save the rainforest😀). The change/shower rooms and toilets are in close vicinity. The pools, slides, spas, saunas and steam room, basketball field etc., along with the change rooms, showers etc. are located on the ground floor. This part of the complex is massive. There are some signs to guide you throughout, and customer service staff, as well as lifeguards, there to assist. Everything is of high quality and excellence. Now to saunas and steam room - there are two saunas and one steam room of small size. The temperature is mildly warm across those, by the feel set to around +30° at the highest. So if you are used to a standard +65° elsewhere to sweat out, you will probably fall asleep waiting for that to happen😀 As to spas, the same mildly warm temperature, no bubbles, just relaxing water. Hydration/water stations - you have to look for them, they are there, somewhere there😀 There is also a cafe on the ground level, - I have not tried anything from them yet so no comment. However, I am a coffee lover, and I have seen a sign that their coffee is of Havana brand, so can recommend to try the coffee at least❤️😊 Overall, highly recommend this Complex to everyone, Five Stars! 😊❤️ P.S. Someone call the PM Luxon to give this bunch of fantastic staff at Parakiore the Awards of Merrit for excellent efforts to bring this world-class facility and service to our beautiful Ōtautahi😊😀 A few would be nice wishes (not crying out loud as the tears tend to destroy the ozone layer of the Earth so thinking about humanity😂) - Obviously visible signs and important info please, especially about the car parking. - It would be nice to have free 180 mins parking as often gym and swim enthusiasts, along with families with children, spend that much time at complexes like this one. By the way, it is a standard across fitness facilities.”

“I would like to say a big thank you to Vivi for her amazing help at the Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre. She guided me very well and helped me choose the best membership and classes for my needs. Thanks to her advice, I am really enjoying all the sports and swimming classes, and it has helped me focus more on my fitness. Vivi is a very kind, friendly, and informative person who takes the time to explain everything clearly. She truly provides excellent customer service and makes people feel welcome. I really appreciate her support. She is the best!”

“Amazing new facility! Love the 2 hrs of free car parking (some reviews below seemed to have missed this.) We signed up for full access gym/pool CCC memberships on the promotion desk and front desk staff were quick and super helpful despite a line up. Lots of people interested in Parakiore and for good reason. Gym facilities are nice, clean and not too busy. Great options for fitness classes. Haven’t gone to the pools yet but looks huge, well maintained and lots of spaces for lane swimming. A great new local!”