David Lloyd gym goers furious after app change now forces 5am wake-up for simple class bookings

Gym-goers have been left less than impressed by a new update which could see some early birds setting alarms before sunrise just to book their usual workout.

David Lloyd Clubs announced in an email to members that it will be changing the way people reserve gym classes from August, in a bid to make the booking process 'smoother'.

But while the fitness chain hopes the update will help prevent the app from becoming overloaded when bookings open, some members fear it could make things more difficult - particularly for those who like to get their sweat on bright and early in the morning.

Under the current system, all fitness classes at David Lloyd Clubs become available to book at the same time: 6.30pm, nine days before the class takes place.

David Llyod gym-goers aren't happy with a new member update. (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)

That means someone wanting to book a 6.30am class the following Monday can currently jump onto the app the Tuesday evening before and secure their spot.

However, from August, the gym giant will make its classes available exactly nine days before their scheduled start time.

So someone hoping to book a 6.30am session will need to be awake and ready to book at 6.30am nine days beforehand, while those attending the earliest classes, including 5.40am sessions, could face even earlier alarms.

One David Lloyd member told LADbible that the change had caused frustration among her fellow early morning gym-goers, who fear they’ll now have to plan their weekends around booking next week’s workouts.

They said the previous system meant everyone faced the same booking window, whereas the new approach could mean the inconvenience falls more heavily on those attending the first classes of the day.

From August, the gym giant will make its classes available exactly nine days before their scheduled start time. (Getty Stock Photo)

In an email seen by LADbible, one member who contacted David Lloyd Clubs to question whether any thought had been given to people booking the earliest sessions, and whether there could be a limit on how early classes become available.

They argued that solving app congestion by moving booking times around could simply create a different issue for members who rely on early morning classes as part of their routine.

But David Lloyd insist that the change is being made to improve the booking experience for everyone.

Explaining the update on its FAQ page, the gym chain said: “For our busiest classes, this update helps make things fairer. Under the old process, some members missed out because they couldn't be on the app at the exact moment bookings opened.

But David Lloyd insist that the change is being made to make the booking experience fairer for everyone.(Getty Stock Photo)

"Now, more members have a better chance of getting into the classes they love.”

The company also said members would still have nine days to book once a class becomes available, meaning they won’t need to reserve a spot the second bookings open.

But, for members determined to keep their favourite class and their usual spot, the fear is that the new system simply swaps one booking headache for another.

Now suddenly, the hardest part of a 5.40am gym session might be making sure you’re awake to book it nine days earlier.