Which gym in the City features an indoor-running track, a quite decent-size pool and four locker rooms (2 men and 2 women)? - Well, the Virgin Active at the Barbican does and I am quite happy to have been their member for the past few months. In fact, I've not had a bad experience here yet: the staff is always very friendly and forthcoming (especially the cleaning team deserves some kudos here!) and the classes they offer are great, including the instructors. In fact, I've mostly come to the gym to attend the Ashtanga Yoga during the lunch hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Rachel, the instructor, is great: she's not one of these airy-fairy yoga instructors, who only babbles about spirituality etc. In fact, her approach is two-fold: she wants to teach us the right poses, but at the same time she wants us to understand the meaning behind of it! (It's all about the breathing technique!!!) Anyway, I would highly recommend joining this gym if you either live and/or work around the Barbican area...it's always good to come here and get a little break from the daily grind... read more

Virgin Active - Gyms Near Me - London, XGL

Could be a great gym but it's badly run and main problem is they choose to close at FOUR PM at weekends?! West London virgin gyms close much later. Head office says it's because it's 'not a residential area' which is blatantly untrue becuase there are always people there 2-4pm who I'm sure would stay later. Don't seem to care what members want. read more

Time to give credit where credit is due. I've been a member of Virgin Active gyms since I moved to London, but there's something about the quality of instructors that come to this location as well as the Islington location that are really worth mentioning. If you have the chance, here are some instructors that are worth following: Rachel's Ashtanga Yoga Class: Rachel does not mess about, so this isn't your 'come and relax for an hour' situation - this is a sweating, pushing, breathing, challenging workout that I never would have expected from a yoga class. If you're not doing anything else correctly, you'll be breathing. Tony's Box Fit, Circuit, Boot Camp and Power Station Classes: If feeling the burn is anywhere on your agenda, attend one of Tony's classes. Come focused and come prepared (sweat towel close at hand) because he is relentless. And awesome. Peter's Spin Class: The perfect soundtrack, the most amazing intervals and even a 5-minute section in the middle where you're able to do your own thing. (Hills? Sprint? Intervals? Riders choice!) I love it. If you do attend a class from one of the instructors above, make sure you get to the gym early. They will all fill up quickly. read more

You never forget your first. Ruben was mine. He set the mood perfectly with his musical selections, had a fan in the corner to cool me off if I got too hot and his voice. Oh.his.voice! Suffice it to say, I compare all others to Ruben. Here was a man with such innate teaching talent - and so masterful at motivating - I fear no other will measure up. If ever a man could make me pedal with all my might, it was Ruben, my first spin instructor at 24 Hour Fitness in the Castro in San Francisco. His vocal house soundtrack made me feel like I was sweating it up in the best gay club in town rather than riding my ass off on a stationary bike. He pushed me and my BFF well past our comfort zones every class. Yesterday I took my first group cycle class at Virgin Active. The instructor was barely intelligible and I couldn't work out if that was because of the microphone or his lack of enunciation. Pretty much the only thing that was clear was when he wanted you out of the saddle; I relied heavily on visual clues to determine where we were in our ride. His soundtrack improved as the class went on and I left feeling like I'd had a good workout but this isn't a class I'd block out time in my calendar for. And there was no fan. If there's one thing I want in a spin class, it's air circulation! STANDOUT CLASSES Saturday's circuit training, however, was a completely different story. Our instructor was fairly relentless and I definitely felt the burn of this intense workout. And today Rachel's Astanga yoga class made me rethink my typically anti-yoga-because-it's-too-boring stance. In fact, I'd like to make this one a part of my regular rotation! LOCKER ROOMS They're decently clean though definitely a few notches below swank. I might be being a bit harsh today because yesterday I saw a woman picking the dead skin off her toes and flicking it on the floor. Something about that experience makes me feel instantly unclean. You'll find blow dryers but not much else so make sure to bring your own brush, hairspray, etc. POOL/HOT TUB The fact that this gym has both of these amenities is enough for me! RUNNING TRACK The track goes around all of the machines on the second floor. It's a little odd, but for folks who like to run on a track, it's here. TREADMILLS These are top notch and there are plenty of them - even at peak times I've seen at least a couple available. Virgin Active ain't cheap but thus far, I feel I'm getting good value. read more

The boy: [grumbling about the lack of free weights] Me: I thought they had plenty of weights - I'm sure I've seen people using them. The boy: Yeah, they have dumbbells, but not much in the way of barbells for Olympic-style lifting. Me: Are you sure? I've seen benches and stuff... The boy: Yeah, I'm sure. Have you ever looked at the weights section? Me: I took a tour once... The boy: [sigh] So... let's just say that I don't necessary make the most use of -all- the amenities that this fitness centre has to offer... Amended: I really only take advantage of -one- amenity that this fitness centre has to offer. That being Rachel's Astanga (yes, that's how they spell it here) yoga class. And it's well worthwhile when you consider that a monthly membership here runs on the order of £70 a month and she charges £60 for private yoga instruction plus travel fees if it's not way the hell out in BFE where she lives. When you break it down across the frequency I try to make it to her class, it actually works out to an affordable sub-£10 cost per class. Not shabby, if my frugal inner Asian says so! Now that the locker rooms are finally finished undergoing their months-long rejuvenation project and thirty-to-fifty blokes aren't crammed into a tiny changing area, I really have few complaints about this location. Sure, if you're a proper meathead into tossing around heavy plates of metal, you'll probably be missing a thing or two, but there are tons of cardio machines, a newly refurbished spinning studio, a large-ish swimming pool, a decent jogging track (if you don't mind getting a bit dizzy from constant application of centripetal force to stay on it), and bountiful group class options. Oh, and by the way... if you're a yoga n00b, please stay away from Rachel's class. There's a lovely weekend Hatha class that I've nearly fallen asleep in (fortunately, I woke myself up with a bit of pre-snoring during savasana) you might enjoy. Leave her 'abdomems' all to me. Kthxbai. read more

Great gym with a big pool and a lot of machines and weights. I liked the layout with the running track going around the gym. Watch your head on the track though. read more

One of my most favourite Virgin Active gyms...so far. As a result I go to this one the most. Good points: - cafè area: has loads of room to work and watch the TV, and at the back there's an area to that looks over the passing people walking by. They also have computers you can work from - gym floor: very spread out, which a great grid area, separate from the weights area, separate from the machine area, which is all separate from the cardio and free bar sections :-) - Classes: have good variety, though there is a big difference between the instructors - relaxation area: they have their wet and dry saunas with in the change rooms (which means some men go in naked, though the gym is working against this) and then they have the spa, pool and relaxation chair in the common areas - this they are sort of average and just shoved in - Parking is rather close by (4 mins walk away) Not so good: - relaxation areas: as mentioned above - gym floor: is rather busy at numerous times (including "off-peak") which means, obviously, you need to wait for equipment, thus taking away from the intensity of your workout (bad thing) and longer in the gym read more

Well it's official I am a gym member again. Pause for shocked faces. Yes, I've took the plunge so I headed to the gym to sign my forms and have a show round. The lady that greeted me, Lauren, was absolutely lovely. Very smiley and welcoming (which ever so slightly ridded me of those dreaded gym nerves). I signed my name and then we began the walk round. I must say the gym was impeccably clean. They provide towels, hairdryer, straighteners, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel! Literally everything you could possibly need for a gym session apart from your clothes! They also have a women's only section which is great for those (like me) who would rather exercise away from the eyes of pumped up men. There's also a pool, sauna, stream room and jacuzzi - all look clean and well maintained. Very impressed so far... Now to actually start going to the gym! read more

I'd love to tell you how wonderful wonderful this gym is. I'd love to tell you about the great equipment, the wonderful staff, the convenient location and hours, and how I got a wonderful physique from working out here. But I can't. I can't because they won't let me pay them for a membership. I'm visiting from the US for at least six months, so I'd love a place where I can lift free weights while I'm here. This place is convenient to the office and home, and they seem to have an OK selection of equipment. However, they don't accept credit cards. They won't accept cash in advance. They require--and only accept--a debit card. "Have a friend pay for your membership!" they suggested. (Yeah, right.) So I went and got a Monzo account, put some cash in there to cover several months' worth of membership fees, and went back to the gym to begin my membership. Oh, no. Apparently a Monzo account isn't a *real* debit card, and so it just won't do. Heck if I know what the difference is (Monzo's a UK financial company and it provides retail banking services just like Barclay's et al.), but apparently it's substantial enough that the money I put in there still isn't good enough for Virgin Active. So, after all the hoops went through I still won't be joining their gym and telling you how wonderful they are because they're too damn stupid to be able to accept my money. read more

The Barbican Virgin Active is once of the nicest branches I've been to of this gym (along with Moorgate, which is right around the corner from here). Reasons I like this location: 1) Three fitness studios for classes, meaning a full and diverse schedule of classes (plus a separate cycling studio). Some of the other branches (ahem, Strand and Islington) only have two rooms, so less classes and it is often difficult to get into them. 2) Free towels, newer facilities (not all branches have towel service.... ahem Holloway... and some are in older looking buildings, ahem Islington/Strand/Fullham). 3) Above ground fitness equipment and good circulation and windows to the outside. (Strand and Islington both have basement cardio/weight rooms, feels more claustrophobic.) 4) Women's only room. Ok. About this women's only room thing. I like it, and I don't at the same time. I do sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable at the gym, but I get over it. With the women's only room, you do feel less self conscious, but at the same time, what if you DON'T want to be in there? It is this weird psychological thing.... like, if you don't go in the women's room, is that like an open invitation to be hit on (like, only the sluts would work out with men???)? Why can there be women's only rooms and not men's only rooms? Do I feel like I SHOULD be in the women's only room? Too much thinking, not enough sweating. I am off to Zumba. read more

I chose this gym for very practical reasons: close to work, PruHealth discount (which gives you 50% monthly off). And I must admit I have been positively surprised by it. Okay, it's a bit old, sometimes a bit scrubby, but I really find that there is an overall positive atmosphere at this place. It's a big place, very big, which helps with not making it feel over crowded. The staff are really nice and helpful, and the classes are really good. My class highlights are Pilates with Penny Jane on a Monday - she is very professional, takes the time to know her students and so sweet, and Zumba with Amy on a Wednesday noon for a very energetic work-out on some punchy tunes (sadly, don't get to go to that class often enough). Plus point of Virgin Active; You get to go to other gyms with your subscription, which basically gives me now excuse not to work-out in the week-end at the gym closer to home. In a nutshell, not a gym I would go across town to go to, but definitely a good choice if you live/work around there. read more

This gym is in a great location and looks fantastic but.... sadly there are a number of things wrong which have let it down. The maintenance in this gym is very poor. On many occasions the shower gel has run out in the shower cubicles - this is very frustrating particularly when you don't have much time in your lunch break! There is a horrible toilet smell throughout the changing rooms. The locals are filthy and need a deep clean. The Cardio equipment needs to be updated as they seem to be breaking down. I saw one guy use the cross trainer and one half of it fell off as he was using it! The TV's seem to have no signal on a number of the machines. The sound quality is very faint on the ones that do work. The wifi never works well so how can one have a decent workout and listen to music etc? The weights area is always in a mess, members should to take responsibility of the weights they use but there are no staff around to assist. Not worth the money... better to go to a budget gym for 25% or the price. read more

Very poor - the club is unhygienic, the equipment old, with demotivated staff that don't care. Virgin Active have a classic club diagonally opposite, so this gym is the poor relation where every expense is spared. The gym gets very busy and it's hopeless trying to get onto the free weights on weekday evenings. The club has a very high member churn rate for a reason. read more

Virgin Active - Virgin Active in their own words - Gyms Near Me - London, XGL

Its not the worst gym, however with gymbox, soho gyms and city point near by, why put up with the construction that has been going on for months and months. Staff aren't as friendly as even the other virgin active gyms. They prefer you didn't even say hello on the way in. read more

I've been a regular at Virgin Active Barbican for over 3 years now and a regular gym goer for the last 18 years. The Barbican branch gets very busy mid week evenings, so you need to be flexible about which machines and equipment you can expect to use during your workout. It's best at weekends or during the daytime when you can make full use of the huge variety of kit. The changing room showers can get a bit grim, strewn with discarded toiletries, towels and hair. Many customers are not very respectful of the cleaning staff, other gym members or the gym itself. At peak times you will often find inconsiderate users sitting around texting on the fixed weights, or trying to use two machines at once. I often find discarded chewing gum in the drinking fountain. There is a high churn rate of members and staff. Location, size and variety of kit are the only real benefits for committed regulars. read more

Well, it gets the job done. I think this gym is far too expensive for the quality, but its the only one near my home and office so I don't have much of a choice. I find it to be a bit dirty, with mediocre machines and the super low ceilings don't help it either. I would never, ever use any of the personal trainers there - its both sad and humorous when I see them training people and showing them an incorrect way to use a machine. Plus, most of them don't even look like they are in great shape themselves! Some of the spinning instructors are good - Mike is the best if you can get into his class. Overall not great quality for money, but convenient location. read more

Has a nice running track around the actual gym. 10 laps is one mile. Very nice change. Indoor swimming pool, 4 locker rooms, boxing facilites. read more

My main interest is in weight training. and of the several VIrgin Active gyms around the City of London, this is the best equipped for weight training. Some of the equipment there: 2 x Power Racks 2 x Squat Racks 2 x Smith Machines .. that means there's 4 machines for squatting in, or 6 if you fancy destroyying you knees on the Smith Machine. 2 x Flat bench Incline Bench Back Extension station Shoulder press bench Incline Bench Standing Calf Raise Machine (this is a real rarity around the City, and the main reason I will go to the Barbican branch) Lying Leg Curl Machine Seated Leg Curl x 2 Seated Leg Extension x 2 Leg press x 3 ( I think , 1 is plate loaded) Pulldown station x 2 Dip/Chin machines x 2 Dip/Chin/Captans chair There are also all the usual technogym candidates, but their only use for me is to get people of the decent equipment. The only piece of kit missing that I have seen at some of the other VAs is the T-Bar mounting, though I think I may be one of a select group of people who actually know what it's for. It's not a big loss however, as there is a good plate-loaded low row machine, and the Moorgate and 200 Aldersgate branches have one anyway. Dumbells go up to 40 kg I think. There's also a reasonable amount of space for deadlifting if you swipe one of the spare bars (though I don't think there are any rubber plates around if you like that sort thing). The cardio selection is OK, the usual suspects. There's a decent sized stretch area and power plates. There's also a ladies' only gym, but not being a lady I can't really comment. There are two sets of locker rooms, upstairs and downstairs, and both are a good size. Downsides: The layout is a bit odd, as there are lots of little sections. A little bit too much space is wasted on the gimmicky TRX equipment (as seems to be the case at a lot of gyms these days). The running track can make it a bit hard to get around, particularly between 7 and 8 am when there are dozens of people haring around it. Also this branch gets pretty crowded at peak times. The pool is a little small, but I'd go to the Broadgate branch (which is much larger) or the nearby 200 Aldersgate branch (brand new and airy) anyway. All in all, not a bad gym generally. The nice thing is that it is part of a chain and I can pick and choose between the nearby branches. I tend to use this one for heavy weights days. For cardio and swimming I head to 200 Aldersgate, and for variety (and daylight) the Moorgate branch. Spoilt for choice. read more

Love this place - my weekday 6am haunt, lots and lots of free weights, oodles of cardio machines, and plenty of warm-down stretching areas. Staff are always friendly and helpful - most everything you want out of a gym. read more

Top rated gym, but price is a bit of an issue for it. A little cheaper and I would love totally.

What a ripoff!!! They transferred my membership to a different club with very little upfront notice. I can cancel the membership but am forced to be part of the new club for another month. I had specifically signed up initially for the multi-club membership so I can take advantage of the Virgin Active club network in my area. Now, although I am paying for the multi-club membership, I will not have access to any Virgin Active Clubs. I spoke to both my local club manager on Essex St, as well to the main office in Barbican and they couldn't care less. How is this legal or fair, beats me... read more