CEM Can Ricart in Ciutat Vella (Barcelona)

CEM Can Ricart is a spacious municipal sports centre with a pool, a sauna, relaxation zones, a fitness room and reformer pilates classes that some members love, with one saying it ended years of back pain. Several regulars appreciate the motivating variety of activities, the friendly coaches and a gym where people come to train rather than to pose, without the crowds of tripods and filming. Maintenance and cleanliness are, however, the main concern. Members report that the air conditioning has not worked for months, with classes held above 30 °C, dirty mirrors, dusty machines, changing rooms under endless repairs with fewer dryers and sinks, cold pool water and hydromassage jets that have not worked for six months. Others complain about too few, ageing machines in a crowded room, a broken double pulley, an extra fee for the sauna, unfriendly reception staff and a theft that was not followed up. A centre with good potential and atmosphere, held back by neglected maintenance.