Virgin Active

Virgin Active in Kensington is so lovely. It is located on the 3rd floor & I made sure I walked up the stairs, instead of taking the lift. 💪

The ‘Adult Area’ where you can either chill or chill while working is a great added addition.

From the showers, to the sauna/steam and even the pool… the calm, dim and relaxing lighting that they have is Amazing.

I have rated it 4 stars because I was disappointed to see in the ladies ‘changing room’ the ‘drinking fountain’s’ lack of pressure!

I pressed the button & I would have had to put my mouth over the tap, to get water & the temperature was not very cold! So was left thirsty.

Apart from that the staff were lovely, and tutors and most certainly recommend. 👌

Fraudulent. Take payments from you without actually activating your account. Don't respond to emails ever. And are generally impossible to deal with, even though they charge you £189/month. I've emailed them countless times about why I couldn't book classes, and to ask that my membership simply be cancelled and refunded given the level of service. And they rarely respond. It's honestly infuriating. It's like going to a 5 star restaurant, paying for your meal in advance, and then not getting any food. I'm not sure how they think it's acceptable.

To be clear, I tried attending classes and the app didn't work because I had to go in to the Kensington location to sign an agreement. And only found this out after emailing and calling multiple times. I can sign up to the local community centre without going in. And the whole point of a premium membership is to attend classes at any location. It's now been over 2 months and they still haven't refunded me.

I joined after leaving equinox and I much prefer it. The fifth star would need I) improved management of the swimming pool - the life guards often have to deal with rude or unruly customers (but always keep their cool) and need more support from management to make the pool enjoyable for all (it can be hell on Saturdays and Sundays!) -II) longer opening hours and more food options for the coffee shop. Later update: sorry but I need to take away one star because maintenance is becoming an issue - 1 broken lift, two broken sinks and a broken toilet in the F changing room, and now (Sept 10) the Jacuzzi is out of order... no coffee bar at the week end past 2 pm either - staffing a problem obviously

The management of the pool area has become inadequate and unacceptable, to say the least. Today, we were asked to leave the pool for 15 minutes as there was not enough staff to supervise it. Those 15 minutes extended to 25 min. Same things happened quite a few times before. At times, the pool gets closed without any warning citing the lack of personnel. Overall, the time we can use the pool has contracted considerably. I would ask the management to address this issue as soon as possible.

Great gym , great atmosphere but such a shame equipments are so old and not maintained ! Concept2 rowing machines which I use alot in particular, there is only two and both so old and dusty that don’t function well, big disappointment for rowers. So it does not justify the premium fee and membership cost.

Avoid this place at all costs!! Terribly run and out-dated facilities that constantly keep breaking down. From the lifts to reception to the spa. There’s a rodent issue, hence you might see mouse traps on the gym floor. Your items as a member are not safe, even in your locker (thieves have targeted this location and the Mayfair one). Growing number of members have had their valuable possessions taken.
The staff turnover is constant and you’ll now be left with individuals in place who are given a script to read off. If any issues arise, they don’t have the power or common sense to deal with anything.
If you were to escalate anything further to “head office”, you’ll be in touch with a prop individual as useful as a chocolate teapot (member relations). Who will just read your t&c’s back to you like a puppet.
Honestly if you need a job and have no experience and qualifications, this is the place.
I was a member here for over 3 years and they do not value you one bit.
To the “management” in “head office”, you weasels burrowed and hiding in your offices, I will never ever join Virgin Active anywhere again and furthermore I will spread this message as far as I can to everyone I come across.

The classes are easy to book, the gym is never too full. The swim pool is good and empty too. The workout facilities are not as many as other gyms. But if you are in love with classes and swimming, it’s the place for u.

Really good club!

Pros: Never too busy apart from at peak hours - Great classes - Pool also never been too busy in my experience - and excellent spa facilities. Staff always kind, have never asked for much, but have seen them deal well with less than reasonable customers.

Negatives: Slightly limited on strength machines. Cables and benches often full and could do with a machine curl & second deadlift space. 8pm close at the weekend also a tad early for my routine but its never that busy so can understand majority do not need.