Virgin Active Classic

«The Emperor’s New Clothes»
Virgin Active have used interior decorating to mask the fact that this gym is very unequipped for the membership base it serves.
Even at very ‘quiet’ times like a Thursday or Friday evenings there is a chronic shortage of dumb bells and most of the basic bread-​and-​butter equipment like the flat bench press and z bars are monopolised by a few body builder types. Thus excluding 95 percent of the rest of the membership from using the free weight equipment, and makes it impossible to follow even basic training programs without it taking two or three times longer than it should.
How all the free weights have been rammed into a triangular corner of the gym has also created an intimidating space where you see no females. Virgin need to move into the 21^st century and not consider free-​weights to be the reserve of alpha males only. They need to break up the free weights area up, placing the equipment around the gym so that the average member has a chance of using the equipment they pay handsomely for.
The gym staff are also unwilling to stop people hoarding three sets of dumb bells, or super setting where they ‘reserve’ two pieces of equipment at peak times.
Ultimately if you cannot use the equipment in a meaningful way there is no point in paying the membership subscription.

There’s been a refit over Christmas 2013, with some equipment being removed and some added. It has made things better I think. What I have noticed:
They have removed one of the 2 Smith Machines, replacing one of them with a squat rack. This means that there are now two squat racks, and 1 smith. Much better.
A decline bench has been added.
Quite a few more plates have been added, and a couple of plate holders.
A scales/​bodyfat monitor has also been added.
Generally good news, although in the new configuration the weights area is a little more cramped (not surprising given that there is an extra bench.
Also, all the cardio equipment has been updated, and I do rather like the new Technogym treadmills. The new SpeedShift feature makes sprint interval training very easy. There are also some new ‘curve’ treadmills but I have not tried them yet.
One little niggle is that whilst the new cardio equipment is enabled to use Technogym’s «mywellness» connectivity, they do not appear to be connected up to the network yet — I have been unable to log on as of yet. Hopefully that will be fixed; if it is it should make saving profiles much easier.

I’ve been to quite a few of the Virgin Active health clubs but this one is by far the best!
The gym is very accommodating; whether you’re a gym junkie or a beginner there is something for you to do. I was quite impressed with their selection of specialist equipment (free weights/​TRX/​boxing). There’s even a section for stretching and foam rolling! I would definitely recommended this place for a regular gym goer who likes a relaxed environment.
The swimming pool/​spa area is just as well designed. Large jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and a 2 lane pool. Great place to relax if you’ve had a good work out.
Changing rooms — first class. Spacious, luxurious and tidy. Towels and gowns provided too!

I’m a big fan of this place! As I write this I’m on the bike! This place is brilliant.
It’s very modern, clean and tidy but also and most importantly its worth the money.
Really big gym floor with lots of equipment which makes it easy to get round without feeling you’ve got to rush or having someone breathing down your neck to use the equipment!
Great staff, friendly trainers who are happy to help without trying to sell you personal training sessions!
To top it off there is a nice sitting area and FREE wifi!!!