Virgin Active Health Clubs

This was excellent when it was a Holme’s Place. Was OK at first when Virgin took it over. However there seems to have been a recent change of management and massive turnover of staff with the result that service levels have seriously deteriorated: poor cleaning of changing rooms, variable temperature of showers, unpredictable air con. There are some very good staff remaining, but as with all Virgin Active’s, the only staff regularly on the floor are personal trainers who are very friendly to you until they realise that you aren’t going to pay more to hire them, and then the smiles become a bit forced.
One of the worst things is their failure to respond to customer feedback. They claim that they will respond to comments in 48? hours, but the reality is that they just shred them.
There are cheaper gyms without frills nearby. I wouldn’t mind paying more if there were some consistency, but this place seems to be sliding down the hill, so I’m thinking of leaving.

This gym is very good, with lots of good courses and very enthusiastic and well-​trained teachers. It has a ladies gym too, which can be nice if you want a little more privacy (as a lady, of course). Although the weight machines are a little bit dated, they work perfectly fine, and personally I don’t mind that at all. The good thing about VA gyms is that you are allowed to use other gyms as well, although with my plan (student membership), this is restricted to four times a month (per gym that is, so that still gives you plenty of options). There also have sun beds, a sauna (which I love) and a steam room. Unlike some bigger VA gyms, they don’t have a pool, unfortunately, and there’s no café and internet access (they do have a hot drinks machine in the foyer, but that doesn’t look too special to me). Since it’s a local gym though, I don’t really think it needs those anyway. The staff is always really nice and welcoming, and Farzana at the reception knows every member by name! Quite amazing. All in all, I really feel this is a welcoming gym where I always enjoy my workout. Oh and of course, they will give you a free introduction and personal training plan with follow-​up three months or so later.