Advantages: sturdy, strong, robust, attractive, compact
Disadvantages: difficult to assemble, not as much fun as it could be

...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Little Tikes Junior Activity Gym ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Most crèches or children’s play areas seem to have one of these activity gyms and they looked bright and colourful so we decided to get one for my brothers first birthday. The activity gym as shown in the picture is made up of four side panels, each with holes in for the child to climb through. There is a small bright pink slide and a blue floor, which the children can go under or climb on to go down the slide. As we unpacked the activity gym it looked relatively simple to assemble, as it was really just a case of slotting the panels together but don’t be fooled! It was not at all easy to assemble although the only consolation is that if it was that difficult to put together its going to be near impossible for it to fall apart! The brightly... Read review

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Advantages: Hours of fun for the kids
Disadvantages: Have to take it apart to fully clean it

...My three children have their own little adventure playground in the back garden swings,slides and trampolines. When it was cold or rainy they had nothing to play on indoors so i bought them the activity gym they were absolutly chuffed to bits with it they could play with this toy indoors or out,so in the winter they had it indoors and in the summer the little ones played on it out doors as a climbing frame. It is aproximatly a metre high and about the same wide It looks quite pretty with its multy coloured sides,base and slide. The base comes in to pieces which is coloured blue there are four sides which easily click into place the colours of the sides are green orange and yellow.The slide just slots into place and can be removed so it can be used just as a climbing frame .The colour of the slide is pink. Children have hours... Read review

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Advantages: Provides entertainment for many months
Disadvantages: Plastic bases are hard when the baby starts to roll

...I found this gym suitable from birth onwards, as advertised by the makers. When my baby was small, he loved looking at the black and white patterned arches. As he grew, he looked at the mobiles and tried to grab and kick them. As he grew, the gym still holds fascination for him. Aged nearly nine months, he enjoys dismantling it and he studies it intently. When he is older, the gym converts to a tunnel which will give him more pleasure. Therefore it is a gym with longlasting appeal. The only negative aspect of the gym is when he started to roll, the red plastic bases were hard for him to roll onto, and would prevent him rolling over. However, that stage of development does not last long.... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of different activities for the growing baby
Disadvantages: Yes, more batteries to be bought

...batteries. On to the features of this toy. There are two settings to choose from, the first plays a different tune each time your baby hits the sun, moon or stars hanging from the drop down section. This also activates flashing lights in the keyboard style buttons, which are situated across the front of the toy. The second setting works on a similar basis as the first but when the sun, moon or stars are hit it plays several different tunes one after the other and again the flashing lights are activated. This helps hand co-ordination by encouraging a child to activate the sound by hitting the correct part of the toy. It also helps eye co-ordination by encouraging a baby to follow the flashing lights with their eyes as they move from button to button. This particular aspect of the toy has been a godsend for me because it really keeps my... Read review

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Advantages: large gym space, friendly staff
Disadvantages: bagel factory

...I don't normally feel the need to voice my opinions on the internet but after seeing the previous review regarding Virgin Actives policies towards towels I thought I should attempt to set the record straight from my perspective. Holmes Place/Virgin Active in my opinion is still a great club and throughout the transition of the takeover have continued to be helpful and approachable when I've questioned any new policies. The staff are extremely friendly and I find the atmosphere of the whole club as enjoyable as ever. In regards to the towel policy. I too find the need to use two towels but unlike the opinions of the previous review I do not find the new policy any problem. It isn't like as members we are forced to only have one towel, it is only suggested that when possible we restrict ourselves. This, as i can see... Read review

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Advantages: versitility of use
Disadvantages: cost

...perform activities, thereby enhancing physical performance. Strength training on Total Gym makes daily activities easier to perform. Total Gym's versatility allows you to strengthen and tone with complete back support, providing a safe, non-compressive setting for the back. Resistance training with Total Gym can improve bone density and decrease risk of injury due to bone weakness. LOSSING WEIGHT Total Gym allows you to tone all major muscle groups in the body during every workout. Total Gym maximizes the fat burning effect of exercise by simultaneously challenging the muscular strength and aerobic condition of the body, producing visible changes in body composition quickly and safely. Toning muscle while shedding excess fat prevents the "sagging" skin look. Access to over 70 different exercises allows users to target problem... Read review

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Advantages: Different settings, occupies baby
Disadvantages: singing the tunes all day long

...are attached to a section on a hinge that needs to swing backwards enough to activate the music). My dad would sometimes sit with Adrian and activate the gym himself when Adrian hit it, as he felt it was unfair he had to hit it so hard. Adrian loves being under the gym, legs and arms waving in all directions until the lights and music start, then he lies still and watches the lights flashing. It is a life saver when I need to get a few bits done, if he's in the right mood I can leave him for a short while to make some toast or something. It also came into his own when he got nappy rash, he would lie under it without a nappy on, happily playing away for 20-30 minutes while his bum aired! Toddler Setting ---------------- Obviously I haven't had the chance to see this in use yet (Adrian being nearly 12 weeks old) but to use the gym this way... Read review

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Advantages: Sturdy, Bright, Multifunctional
Disadvantages: None

...a gym to a walker – in fact during the intermediate stage we converted it back and forth a number of times a day! This is a very sturdy walker, and although it has wheels there is no real danger of it ‘scooting’ away from under the child. The walker has a tray on the front with can either be used with the activity tray (bit of a grand description for what it is) filled with the toys from the baby-gym or left empty to carry other things in. My son first ‘walked’ with it at 9 months (have just looked back at the video to confirm this age ) and continued using it as a walker even after he started walking unaided. The makers claim that the toy would be used until 2 years – this may be the case with a late walker but after about 15 months my son had no real interest in it – I had hoped that he would use it to put thing in the little... Read review

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Advantages: Bright and fun
Disadvantages: Bit small

...This Little Tikes Activity Gym is great for young children and creates a fun environment which is also safe. The activity gym comes in a large box which contained all the parts. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. Looking at the gym all you needed to do is slot in the pieces. This was true as the pieces did have to be slotted together but getting them together was the hard bit. You need someone strong who can force the sections together but at least the instructions are easy to follow so you don't go wrong (imagine having to undo it and reassemble it!). The activity gym is brightly coloured meaning more fun for the children. Be warned that the colours do not remotely blend in with any surroundings so don't be alarmed when you have this bright coloured object in the middle of your garden. The slide is quite short which... Read review

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Advantages: An impressive, colourful baby gym
Disadvantages: Quite pricey

...I bought this gym from Mothercare when the twins were a month old. Although it was quite pricey at 40 pounds, Thomas and Naomi definatly got my moneys worth!!! The Features: -Bright colourful playmat with different textures(zebra mane, crinkle elephant ears and bee wings). -Large mirror -Squeaker horn -Flower touch pads( that light up and activate music when touched). -Hanging toys (rattle giraffe, stretchy legs monkey, jitterpull elephant and crinkle wings parrot) -Music (either 10 mins of Mozart or nursry rhymes) The gym is designed for babies agd 0-6 months, and it certainly kept Thomas and Naomi occupied during the early stages of their life. My children had many of their "firsts" on this play gym, including lifting their head, grabbing and batting the hanging toys and rolling over! PROS: - It is easy to transport... Read review

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