Virgin Active Classic

I really enjoy coming to this Virgin Active. My regular one is Bank, but I like coming to this one on the weekends because of its proximity to Spitafields (I love grabbing a post workout lunch there) and because the resistance machines (for strength training) are numerous and varied. The facilities are as nice as Bank’s and the staff is very friendly and helpful. I definitely would recommend this gym. I just wish that it was easier to find (it’s hidden in Exchange Square next to the Piccolino restaurant) and that it had longer hours on weekends (like Bank, it’s only open 10 – 6 on Saturdays and Sunday’s). All in all, a great facility for a quality work out!

Really a quite nice gym, but rather expensive as a Classic gym, and totally underground.
Upsides: very nice shower facilities, 25m pool, location-​location-​location.
Downsides: mediocre training area, low-​ish ceilings serve as a reminder that you’re underground, cost.

I joint this club recently and the staff were very helpful and friendly esoecially the sales person, Sonny, who gave me amazing service and wasnt too pushy when i went away to think about it. Amazing showers and swimming pool with fluffy robes good choice!

Following my move into the City back from Canary Wharf, I’m looking for a good gym in the square mile.
I have decided to try out the Virgin Active chain of gyms in the square mile. There’s a few to chose from, and the rolling one-​month contract means I can play around a bit. (As a bit of history, when I worked in the city a couple of years back I joined LA fitness, which is OK, but the 12 month contract just feels wrong. When I was in Canary Wharf I used the excellent reebok gym).
The gym floow is a couple of floors down, and is rather small.
I predominatly use weights, and it is not as well kitted out as I would like. Here’s what I remember there being:
1 x Squat Rack
1 x Smith machine
1 x Flat bench
1 x Incline/​decline bench (adjustable)
1 x cable cross over/​multi gym unit
Having only one squat/​power rack is pretty poor, especially when I see that there’s a large space taken up by the TRX suspension equipment, which no-​one uses (and why would anyone, it’s a silly gimmick).
A reasonable set of Technogym machines the usual leg extension, leg curl, leg press, chest press, should press etc. A few dumbbells, barbells, but not really enough for when it gets busy.
I’m told that the pool is actually the best point of this gym, so I may update if/​when I get round to checking that out. There’s a couple of dozen of the usual cardio machines, and another big cardio studio.
At the risk of being a little rude, the clientele seemed to appear to be mainly overweight moneybrokers when I went there (it was about 11am on a Tuesday morning).
Taking the gym standalone (ie not including all the other Virgin Active gyms I could also use with my membership) I would not join the gym on its own merits. I’ve found myself using the better equipped branch @ Bunhill Row (called Virgin Active Moorgate, though actually closer to Old Street).

I have to pay an extra £10 per visit to use this gym and it is no where near worth it. Go the the Moorgate or Barbican ones nearby

This gym is mental! freaking Huge considering where it is. You do end up going about 3 — 4 levels doing underground but they have got a fantastic setup!
They got everything… group classes aren’t that busy. I always get a space on whatever I want to do, staff is ultra friendly!!! (best staff I have seen in the several gyms I have used in the city!)…there is a never a wait for shower. sauna /​steam are always half empty… Good gym to be a part of… membership is a bit steep but then you get what you pay for !!

Being a platinum VA, it’s obviously better than the usual VA standard. I’ve never found it too busy, and the swimming pool is 25m which for central london is impressive!
You can book for classes a week in advance and they now reserve 8 spots (on the peak spin classes) for first arrivals if you haven’t managed to secure your place.
They have the new sleeping pods which I have used on more than one occasion for a quick nap at lunch after the night before which are a novelty and a god send!
Only downside is that the showers could be better, but they’re not the worst by any means.

I got a free pass to the club earlier this week and thought i’d give it a try. Just checking it out to see if it is any different from my gym. I was amaze at the facilities they have there. The gym is huge and they have a lot of classes as well. They a new class called Power Plate which has just started not long ago which sounds great and that free pass entitles you to try out that class too. So next week I will be going in with my pass to try out that class. The swimming pool is lovely and they have a café which overlooks the pool which is great. They also have internet facilities which you can use. The person that showed me round the club was friendly and answered my questions. He took his time and did not rush me because he has something more important to do.