This virgin active is so vile :( I only go because it's the one closest to my flat. The facilities are outdated, the class schedule is nearly impossible to get into, and everything is falling apart. Even the dispensers for shampoo and conditioner in the showers don't work correctly. The jacuzzi and sauna are too cold, instructors for classes suck, and the pool feels like a free community pool. This is a gym that people are paying luxury rates for and it feels sooo low class. It's just shocking how bad the amenities are tbh. They should make their class cancellation policy stricter so you don't have waitlists of 10+ people that all clear at the last minute. Super annoying system. I never would have joined virgin active if I had gone to this one first. Horrible gym. read more

I've used the gym for years and the facilities in the gym are good and pretty varied. The 25m pool is one of the bigger ones at VA's in London and the recent shower refurbishment has helped the changing rooms. The biggest problem with VA Swiss Cottage is its total focus on making money rather than providing good service. I train in the pool at least twice a week but if you don't get there at very specific times (early morning or late evening) you have 1 lane for members whilst lessons or family swim activities go on. The things that cost money (e.g. fixing Wattbike's that are always broken) are completely disregarded until you complain (sometimes several attempts needed). If I had a more convenient choice that put it's members first I would take it. read more

The gym isn't what it used to be. Bad management, things always not working, machines creaking. Constantly running out of towels, no apologies for dip in service and sadly nothing really getting better. Do yourself a favour, avoid. Considering the price you pay, even if you're on a discounted membership, isn't worth the price. read more

The gym in itself is ok UNTIL you have a problem and need your money back (like an instructor not showing up for a pre-paid private swimming class) then you will be spending days and weeks trying to talk to someone, e-mailing, calling and with no luck at all until at one point you will just give up and cancel your membership. I am still not sure if they are just incredibly disorganized or dishonest. Worst gym experience, terrible customer service, stay away! read more

This place has gone downhill since my last review. I really loved the place for the pool, but they've turned it into Disney. I pay a lot of money to train, and at times I've been forced to swim in one lane with 8 other adults. 8 adults paying to swim in one lane? Lame. 1/3rd of the pool is otherwise taken up by kid lessons and another 3rd is for family splash time, even though they have a kid pool as well. Management is "aware of the situation" but doesn't do anything to address it. I now go out of my way to other VAs. read more

That Virgin Active gym is well located. Food, cinema and grocery store nearby. They have a lot of equipments. The swimming pool is huge and they have Cotton buds in the changing room which is definitely a plus compared to Barbican Virgin Active where I'm used to. Will certainly go back there before a movie night for instance. read more

My first non-restaurant review! I actually really like this gym. It has massive high ceilings, is airy and I never have to wait to use cardio machines. They're not stingy with towels - you can pick up 2 or more as they don't monitor it (I used a fitness first where you got just one). Showers and changing rooms are generally pretty clean though showers sometimes smell a bit. There ARE a lot of kids around but they have adult-only changing rooms so I just always use them. I haven't used the swimming pool so can't comment on that. The only downside is that the best classes get booked up very quickly so you have to be very on it. But it's easy to book online (6 days in advance) and then you can just cancel if you make plans closer to the day of the class. The classes themselves are of mixed quality - really depends on the instructor. Most of the instructors are great with really high energy. I find them challenging too and the best way to work out as otherwise I don't push myself. The instructor didn't turn up to a class once which was very annoying as I'd waited around for it, but at least it's only happened once. read more

Hi all please if you need to use any gym don't go to virgin active gym in Swiss cottage there is thief hanging around inside the gym and surrounding of the gym You have been warned, I went to virgin active for the first time I took off my swim wear to have a shower soon as I put my clothes down they were stolen How can someone steal underwear I am so disappointed sickening about the situation I reported it to management they don't show any interest knowing it happen on site They are very unprofessional They don't greet visit with a hello are a smile there is other gyms around BE WARNED THIEF ARE LOCATED INSIDE VIRGIN ACTIVE GYM SWISS COTTAGE I put a 1 star because there is nothing lower than a 1 star to show how bad it is I had a talk with one of the managers she said is only the higher authority's have access to their CCTV such as the police I don't think that's very good Stay away all . read more

AVOID AT ALL COST!!! Purchased a gift card for the tranquility SPA at virgin active Swiss Cottage. The SPA closed without notifying anyone! Has been asking for my money back for the last 2 months and heard NOTHING! Your establishment is beyond incompetent! Wouldn't even give one star read more

I am extremely, disappointed by the staff at this gym. I went and purchased a massage for my girlfriend as a gift however, they complained at me for wanting to purchase a day pass. I spoke to 4 different people and I was promised in an email to have a day pass. Once arriving the manager complained that she couldn't authorize this. I told her I have evidence of confirmation and she said "Fine, I have to let you in" Charming! I was told on the phone Sunday was quiet however, it had a children swim day which ran all day. The Jacuzzi had Skin floating in it and the showers were cold. They had no change for us to use a locker. The cafe forgot my coffee despite me standing in front of them for 5 mins. My girlfriends massage was supposed to be a hot stone massage, however, nothing was done until my girlfriend asked "Is this a hot stone massage?" They spent 15mins getting the stones and setting up again. To their credit they did refund me for this. I usually don't complain about things on forums however, this day was an absolute joke. I am extremely disappointed and I hope that someone take a look at this facility to improve overall customer services and hygiene. I went there on 4/3/2018 read more

This gym is massively over subscribed. Classes are constantly booked up for the next two weeks and the gym floor is always full so you have to find the last free machine and then you find it doesn't work. The women's changing rooms are ok but the toilets are in need of a refresh. Really not the standard I've come to expect of the wider virgin brand. I left and joined a local Nuffield and am so impressed and it's cheaper! read more

This Virgin Active is certainly not one of the better ones in the city, but because of its location, I do go from time to time, as it's close to my work. The facilities are pretty decent, but I tense up every time I set foot into the locker room because there are a ton of kids running around, which isn't very fun. I personally go to the gym to de-stress and quite frankly, 20 screaming and crying kids, latching onto their moms makes me want to turn around and leave. The workout machines are ok, but sometimes malfunction (touch screen won't work, the timer will freeze, etc). But the staff is really friendly and helpful, so that's quite nice. In any event, I'm just glad that this gym isn't my home gym, but I am grateful that this one is close to my work. read more

New refurbishment makes this place amazing and I love how its one of the only London clubs above ground.

The overall management for this branch is horrible! Complete disregard for members' opinions (when an entire group of people speaks out and just get completely ignored). The most popular classes being changed because the gym management doesn't want to invest anything in equipment despite the rates paid by us. Entire groups of people saying they will leave if this continues but no one seems to care. Guess members aren't really important for Virgin Active Swiss Cottage. read more

the admin in this gym is unbelievably inefficient. Phones never get answered, emails never replied, machines take ages to fix, lockers broken, poor communication etc etc. As long as you have no problems- the gym is perfectly fine. But if you have issues....good luck. Considering the is a private gym, I would expect better customer care. read more

I joined this gym when it was esporta and it was much better. There has been a recent refurbishment which had improved the equipment but it is an awful place to work out especially if you want to use the free weights area . Far too busy pretty much all the time . Full of inconsiderate people who put their towels and bottles on equipment and then walk around using everything else or stand in front of equipment to stop you using it . There is no encouraging atmosphere of sharing from the club itself . Customer service also awful. I recently cancelled my membership but because I was on an Esporta membership I am on 3 months notice . I have asked several tines in person, by email and by phone if this can be waived but have had no response from the club has ignored me and never got back to me presumably as this makes it easier for them to just continue taking my money for another 3 months. Membership is not the cheapest either so you would expect more read more

They charge £104 a month and there is always something wrong with either their steam room or their jacuzzi. Very frustrating to pay that much for facilities you can never rely on. I wrote to the manager off the back of being informed by email that rates were going up saying it's frustrating these services appear to be constantly out of order and yet we are being told our membership is becoming more expensive. He wrote back basically saying "parts break, deal with it" in more polite terms. I'm giving my notice and going to the leisure centre up the road - much better value for money. read more

This gym was called Esporta when my membership started and now it is run by Virgin Active. Overall it has a good ambiance and is well run. A discerning customer will not find much to complain about. It is when you go to another gym that you realize what you are missing and all the effort made at Virgin to maintain a good standard. I would recommend the massages and treatments; the gym area is also spacious and you won't find anything annoying like customers having loud conversations. The cafe lounge is popular with parents and children in the afternoon. read more

really unhelpful call regarding a swimming crash course for a child this morning. Just over 100GBP for 30 mins x 3 over 3 days but you can't book over the phone until tomorrow morning, you can't reserve a space over the phone until tomorrow morning either and they won't even call you and spare you a useless trip to the gym if there are no spaces left by tomorrow morning - all this with a lot of "unfortunately I can't" - am definitely not impressed. read more

I love virgin for everything i swear by them. Flights - virgin atlantic - always. Virgin active parswood manchester, great. But the london swiss cottage virgin active gym is the worst gym i have ever been a member of. I strongly do not recommend it. The service is non-existant. They never answer the phone or email back (unless automated). Their system constantly fails and does not allow you to login. So frustrating. The only way to fix this is by going in, where they seem to have a short term fix which ultimately does not help. The pool is completely over run by children, so inappropriate when members pay as much as they do to train and use the spa facilities. The machines are covered in dry sweat. There are never enough classes on. The only reason im still a member is because i need to swim for my neck and they are conveniently located. I wish they would take on feedback but they just dont. read more