Virgin Active

Reviews

• DD

  dj-andy-bee

  1 day ago
  2.0
  I have been a member of Virgin Active for some time, and I feel the overall value of the membership has significantly declined compared to competitors. My first concern is the gym equipment itself. The gym lacks specialist and modern core-focused machines. For example, there are no proper oblique or dedicated stomach/core exercise machines, and the range of strength equipment feels outdated and limited. Competitor gyms such as JD Gyms have recently refurbished their facilities with the latest technology, modern core machines, and a much larger free weights area. Considering the premium membership cost at Virgin Active, the gym floor no longer feels competitive. My second major issue is how classes take over the weights area during peak hours, especially early mornings and evenings. The bench press and barbell area — which is essential for chest and strength training — regularly gets closed off or disrupted because classes are held there. This is extremely frustrating for members who come specifically to train with barbells and benches, as there is no alternative area to complete these exercises properly. What makes this even more confusing is that the club already has three indoor studios available for classes, yet instructors continue to use the main free weights section instead. It gives the impression that regular gym users are treated as less important than classes. My third concern relates to the swimming pool management. I normally swim between 3:30pm and 3:55pm. Historically, staff would begin preparing lanes for family swimming around 3:55pm, which I accepted. However, staff have now started moving lane ropes and changing lane signage as early as 3:50pm, despite the scheduled family swim session not starting until 4pm. On one occasion, children were allowed into the fast lane around 3:50pm while I was still swimming. This made it impossible to continue properly due to splashing and obstruction in the lane. When I raised this concern with a staff member, I initially felt ignored, and the response given was simply that they were “preparing the lanes.” Preparing lanes 10 minutes early at the expense of paying swimmers is unfair and reduces the time members are actually paying for. I want to make clear that I do not blame the children or parents. The issue is entirely with how the sessions are managed by staff and how early transitions are being allowed to disrupt swimmers. Overall, I feel that the gym and swimming members are not being listened to seriously enough. Many regular gym users are becoming increasingly frustrated with the current setup and planning decisions. Classes may attract temporary visitors, but loyal gym members who consistently use the facilities are the ones who stay long-term — provided they feel valued and respected. Virgin Active is a premium-priced gym, and members expect premium service, equipment, organisation, and fairness. At the moment, I do not feel that standard is being delivered.
• FK

  Fin K

  May 16, 2026
  2.0
  I’ve been a member of Virgin Active for over 20 years. It used to be great but it has declined in the last few years. I very much agree with reviewers who suggest that Virgin are far more interested in packing in as many new members as they can rather than looking after existing members. It’s so overcrowded it’s ridiculous, and there are almost no gym staff to police members’ . No body wipes down or cleans equipment and people (almost always men!) sit on weight machines for ages scrolling on their phones. One guy sat for 20 minutes the other day to do about 60 seconds of lifting! The changing rooms are packed, grubby and outdated, not much helped by swim lesson mums saving showers with towels for when their little darlings finish the class. Employ more staff and do better 😡
• AA

  Anon Anonymous

  May 11, 2026
  1.0
  The facilities are good but they massively over sell their membership so it's always busy. I joined mostly to swim and the pool is taken up by lessons so much of the time it's not worth membership if the main thing you want to do is swim. They'll often have 3/4 lanes taken up by kids swimming lessons then another lane taken up by family swim so there's only one lane left for regular swimming. Their lesson times are so anti social and right when most people want to come for a swim ie 6-8.30pm ( prime after work spot, if people really want swimming lessons at their private gym it should be early morning/ in none peak hours) The pool is dominated by kids lessons at the weekend too . Personally I don't really agree with virgin putting on so many swimming lessons. Some is fair enough but it's not fair enough for regular members to lose out on getting to use the pool they pay a lot for because it's always completely full of lessons. There should always be at a minimum 2 public swim lanes out of the 6 they have available. The lane arrangement is often stupid as well. For example they'll often put the only lane swimming lane in the middle of the family lane and the kids swimming session so you're getting assaulted by noise and splashing from both sides. Put the regular lane swim on the end of the pool so we at least have peace on one side.
• GG

  GZ

  May 6, 2026
  1.0
  I’ve given this gym multiple chances because there are not many places locally that offer a gym, spa and swimming pool together. Unfortunately, every time I return, I end up disappointed. Staff are very friendly when signing you up, but afterwards they can feel unapproachable and quite judgmental. The biggest issue for me was the inconsistency regarding children’s access to the swimming facilities. We were told one thing when joining and paying, then told different rules when attending with the children. In the past they even refunded part of the membership because they accepted the information given was incorrect. The facilities themselves are good, but customer service and communication really let the place down. A gym should feel welcoming and relaxing, not uncomfortable or stressful.
• SG

  Stefanie Gissing

  Apr 29, 2026
  3.0
  I've been a member here for years but I have been priced out. Gutted to lose the Body Pump classes especially. Over the years it's gotten busier and busier with more and more broken machines, but the price only climbs and climbs. Genuinely not worth the money any more. I'm sad to have to leave! EDIT: I received a call the day after leaving this review from the club to listen to my concerns (in light of seeing this review) and offering me a month free. This was welcome but just too little too late. I'd already contacted head office and spoken to staff at the club weeks ago asking if they could help me with the price and was told no. It shouldn't take a bad review to be given this offer. It made it more affordable of course, but I've already signed up elsewhere for 1/4 of the price as I just don't think this gym is worth the price they offer anymore.

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