David Lloyd Dress Code: What to Wear at the Gym, Pool and Clubroom
Last updated: September 2026
David Lloyd is a health club with gym, swimming, fitness, racquets, social and family areas. The simplest dress-code rule is to wear clean, appropriate clothing for the activity and change out of swimwear before entering social spaces such as the Clubroom. Club teams can apply local rules, so check directly with your home club if you are unsure about a specific item.
The Core David Lloyd Dress Code Expectation
David Lloyd’s UK membership terms state that members are expected to behave appropriately, respectfully and politely, and to dress appropriately at all times while at the club. The terms give a clear example: members should not wear a swimsuit in the Clubroom. This reflects the wider health-club environment, where exercise clothing is appropriate in activity spaces but not always in lounge, work or dining areas.
For most visits, use common sense: activity clothing in the gym or studio, swimwear in pool areas and clean casual clothing in the Clubroom. A cover-up, T-shirt, shorts, dress, trousers or similar casual item is the practical choice when moving from the pool to a social area.
What to Wear In Each Part of the Club
| Club area | Suitable clothing | Good practice |
|---|---|---|
| Gym floor | Clean sports top, T-shirt, vest, shorts, leggings or tracksuit bottoms, plus suitable training footwear | Wear footwear designed for exercise and use a towel where appropriate |
| Fitness classes / studios | Comfortable sportswear that allows safe movement and training shoes where the class requires them | Bring water and follow instructor advice for specialist classes |
| Swimming pool | Appropriate swimwear | Use poolside footwear where required and follow local pool rules |
| Sauna / steam / spa areas | Follow local club signage; swimwear is normally appropriate in shared wet areas | Take a towel and respect privacy, hygiene and local instructions |
| Racquets courts | Sportswear and appropriate non-marking court shoes where required | Check local court rules before play |
| Clubroom / bar / restaurant | Clean casual clothing | Change out of swimwear before entering |
Gym and Class Clothing
For the gym, wear comfortable workout clothing that lets you move safely and keeps you covered during exercise. Standard gym attire includes a T-shirt or sports top, shorts, leggings, joggers or tracksuit bottoms. Supportive training shoes are the sensible default for cardio, resistance training and most classes. Avoid clothing or footwear that creates a safety risk, leaves feet unprotected around equipment or is unsuitable for the activity.
Fitness classes can have additional practical requirements. For example, a high-intensity or treadmill-based class calls for stable training shoes, while yoga or Pilates may be performed barefoot or in grip socks if the instructor and club rules allow it. Ask reception or the instructor if you are trying a class for the first time and are unsure what to bring.
Pool, Spa and Changing Room Etiquette
Wear suitable swimwear in pool and wet areas, and follow the rules displayed at the club. Take a towel, use the changing areas respectfully and avoid walking into social spaces in a swimsuit. The Clubroom is designed for work, relaxation, food and drink, so a cover-up or change of clothes is appropriate after swimming.
Pool rules can vary by club and time of day, particularly around children’s swimming, lane swimming, family sessions, spa areas and outdoor pools. Follow lifeguard instructions, club signs and local guidance. If you are visiting with children, take suitable pool footwear, towels and a cover-up for the journey between the changing area, pool and Clubroom.
Racquets Dress Code and Footwear
Tennis, padel, squash and badminton are active court sports, so wear sports clothing that allows movement and court-appropriate footwear. Non-marking shoes are commonly required on indoor court surfaces because they reduce damage and help maintain safe playing conditions. Avoid outdoor trainers or shoes with soles that can mark a court if the local club requires non-marking footwear.
Racquets facilities and policies vary between clubs. Before a first booking, check whether the court has a footwear rule, whether you need to bring your own racket and whether there are separate dress expectations for leagues, coaching sessions or organised events.
What Not To Wear
The most important restriction confirmed in the membership terms is not to wear a swimsuit in the Clubroom. Beyond that, avoid clothing or footwear that is unsafe, unhygienic or unsuitable for the part of the club you are using. In practice, that means no wet swimwear in dining or work areas, no footwear that is unsafe around gym equipment and no clothing that could create an issue for other members or staff.
When in doubt, choose clean activewear for training and smart casual clothing for social spaces. For any unusual item, event-specific outfit or local facility question, ask your club before visiting.
Dress Code FAQs
Can I wear swimwear in the David Lloyd Clubroom?
No. David Lloyd’s UK membership terms specifically give not wearing a swimsuit in the Clubroom as an example of dressing appropriately at the club. Change or use a cover-up before entering the Clubroom.
Do I need trainers for the gym?
Suitable training footwear is the best choice for gym equipment, cardio and most fitness classes. Ask the instructor if a specialist class has different requirements.
Do I need non-marking shoes for racquets?
Indoor court rules can require non-marking footwear. Check the local club’s court guidance before your session.
Can children wear normal clothes in Clubrooms?
Yes, clean casual clothing is appropriate in Clubrooms. For pool visits, ensure children have a cover-up or change of clothes before moving from wet areas into social spaces.