Hackblade

So they actually have paid for heavier weights and have decided not to use them? Surely this isn't true...

James - thanks for your comment and offer. I'm on family holiday this weekend so I won't be able to come down but I think my comments make clear what I think is missing and why. I'm all for people undertaking regular cardio - I run and cycle. But an all-round fitness programme should also incorporate resistance training and from the sound of things Fusion, like many chain gyms, isn't catering very well for this. I'm afraid I don't understand your sentence: "That many of the cardio exercises will increase any lack of strength to a level we need for good all round health". It seems to suggest cardio is the best solution to lack of strength for most people and I would certainly disagree with this if this is what you are saying.

Nashoi - fair point but I don't think a Smith machine alone is enough to do a proper workout, even for most serious trainers. You can do so many more exercises with dumbbells and free weights and derive greater benefits. I was hoping against hope that Fusion would buck the trend of most chains and be a serious gym but by the sounds of things it isn't. These kind of gyms-lites are more money-making ventures designed to appeal to people who don't want to push themselves. I suspect they contribute to health problems as much as solving them by encouraging a kind of 'let's just turn up and go through the motions' mentality rather than providing a facility aimed at helping people take their training to the next level.

Nashoi - most men on a decent strength programme should be able to dumbbell press more than 20kg a side in 3 to 6 months. I know quite a few women who can do that much. It's just regular, serious trainers who won't be able to derive much benefit from Fusion - and all for the sake of a few more quid on some decent dumbbells. Iy won't just be a few intimidating grunters (who are actually usually just decent guys who train hard) kept away.

Thanks Slims... that's saved me the bother of a visit to check it out. The classic mistake. Lord knows how much they have spent on this refurb but in one foolish decision they have alienated the majority of the male population (and a good few women) who want to include serious strength training in their fitness programmes. I certainly won't consider joining if the heaviest dumbbell is 20kg. I have heard this so often, particularly from chain gyms... we don't want to attract 'the grunters' or 'we're worried about health and safety'. But ultimately they have to decide whether they are serious about helping people get fit or only making money. And it seems they have chosen the latter.

Dee - I have looked at most gyms around the area and now go to Hamlets. It's a bit shabby around the edges but it's cheap and it's probably the best of a bad bunch for free weights. I would be interested to know how heavy the free weights in the new Fusion gym go up to or whether they have made the classic mistake of spending huge sums on a new gym only to ruin it by not having any dumbbells beyond 20kg or 30kg. You really don't need lots of fancy equipment for a gym but you do need some decent weights.

True - but either way it's very fast.

Charing Cross is about the easiest place to get to in central London from East Dulwich on public transport. Take one of the very frequent trains from Peckham Rye to London Bridge (journey time 12 minutes) then change platforms (don't need to go through any ticket barriers) to Charing Cross (5 minutes). Once your journey starts you can be in Charing Cross in 20 minutes, all being well.

The absolute key for me is some decent heavy dumbbells going up to at least 30kg. I'm not a hardcore freak but most gyms do not cater adequately for even average guys because they only contain light free weights that limit progress.

Well done, dully, you have established your own impeccable anti-racist credentials while simultaneously stirring up fresh racial controversy.

The council noise man just told me he has issued a notice so if the bike alarm goes off again he can remove it within an hour.

It's been going off again for 30 minutes again tonight... and went off briefly the other night. Council are apparently on their way... I kind of hope it doesn't stop before they get here otherwise they might say they can't do anything.

Manda - that sounds like an absolute nightmare. I agree Mr Loxley ought to start keeping a record and taking action, preferably with neighbours. Approaching them is unlikely to solve anything and frankly he shouldn't have to if they're an intimidating bunch.

Ian R - interesting link, thanks. I rang the usual Southwark council noise hotline twice and it was a waste of time. The first time they said they were busy; the second time they took my details and promised to call back within 30 minutes and sort the problem within an hour and I never heard from them again. I presume they deal with car alarms.

If it happens tonight I probably will! That's what's so annoying: we know what the problem is and where it is. We just need someone to disable a faulty alarm but it seems nobody in power will do it and us residents are expected to accept being kept awake ALL NIGHT! Been absolutely knackered today. I have put a note on the offending bike. If it happens again please call Southwark Council's 24-hour noise line on 0207 525 5777 or the police. Both were spectacularly unhelpful today but the more people that ring, the more likelihood of something being done.

Huggers - yes, that's what I intend to do if I don't destroy it first. CBL - it was unbelievably loud. Why on earth do alarms have to be so damn loud and long? The police said they would only respond 'if I could see someone running away'. I had already told them the alarm had been blaring for an hour so it was hardly likely.

Byongo - it was still going at 8am this morning. I was tempted to attack the bike with a hammer this morning. My girlfriend has a migraine from lack of sleep and my baby is tired and in a bad mood. Felt terrible going to work and the fact that it seems we are just expected to tolerate this has done nothing for my mood.

It's too loud for ear plugs. Sorry to hear about your daughter - ours was up last night, now this. The noise is almost akin to torture. I suspect you're over-anxious for sleep. But I hope you get a few blissful hours before morning.

Anyone know any good jokes?

Coming up to two hours. It seems residents are expected to tolerate all night noise and there is nothing that can be done about it. If I had a grenade I would use it, this noise is deafening.

Stopped for a short period then started again. Now been going on for an hour and a half. Great when you have a baby.

A piercingly loud alarm in the street on Underhill Road has been keeping me awake for an hour now. The police say it's an 'environmental health' matter and the council noise line says they're busy and will call me back when they're free. I am now sure which one is driving me madder - the sound or the response of the so-called authorities.

Yes - told Direct Line to stuff it when my renewal quote came only to skulk back with my tail between my legs a few days later when I couldn't find anything cheaper. It went up a similar amount to yours despite me not making a single claim.

Any suggestions? I'm tempted to go through the Greenwich foot tunnel and wind my way from there. Thanks.

Emilou - I cycle to Hammersmith regularly and always try new routes and the one you suggest is the quickest. Distance-wise it might not be the shortest but there are few lights along the embankment so you keep moving. It's busy but there are lots of cycle lanes and I think it's safer than the back routes where cars are nipping in and out of junctions to beat the traffic. Vauxhall is fine - just take the pedestrian/cycle route under the train line rather than go round the ring road.