I joined Virgin Active at the start of the year as they were easily accessible being in the centre of Edinburgh with free parking. They took over the old Esporta complex at Fountainbridge late on in 2004, but in the first quarter of 2005 they still have not managed to shrug off the old Esporta ... Read review
Advantages: Large Gym, Free Parking, Good Facilities, Friendly Staff Disadvantages: Expensive,
I joined Virgin Active at the start of the year as they were easily accessible being in the centre of Edinburgh with free parking. They took over the old Esporta complex at Fountainbridge late on in 2004, but in the first quarter of 2005 they still have not managed to shrug off the old Esporta image - or signage out side. The complex is situated below ground level, with an entrance via escalator in the main complex, or through the car park one floor ... ...were a big company from the word go. When I called to join I was told I would be phoned back the following day by a membership consultant to discuss this. Right enough a friendly person phoned back, and arranged for me to "view" the premises. As arranged I trotted along, was given a nice tour of the place, then finally they applied their sales pitch (thank god, all I wanted was to go to the gym). They work a system where you can join for ... more
I joined Virgin Active at the start of the year as they were easily accessible being in the centre of Edinburgh with free parking. They took over the old Esporta complex at Fountainbridge late on in 2004, but in the first quarter of 2005 they still have not managed to shrug off the old Esporta image - or signage out side. The complex is situated below ground level, with an entrance via escalator in the main complex, or through the car park one floor down.
Alarm bells were ringing that they were a big company from the word go. When I called to join I was told I would be phoned back the following day by a membership consultant to discuss this. Right enough a friendly person phoned back, and arranged for me to "view" the premises. As arranged I trotted along, was given a nice tour of the place, then finally they applied their sales pitch (thank god, all I wanted was to go to the gym). They work a system where you can join for one month, paying well over the odds, but you can cancel anytime. Otherwise you pay one year (in advance), and the price never changes - they don't cover if the price goes down with you.
All done, direct debits signed up I was free to go about my business, or so i thought. before I could get in I had to meet with a fitness consultant. He checked I wasn't going to drop dead I presume, and worked out a fitness program with me. So finally on the third visit to the club I got to do something.
On entering the gym you first realise how big it is, its huge. There's always apparatus available when you're ready for it. From cross trainers, bikes, rowing machines, stepping machine (don't know the name of) & treadmills. Better still while you're trying to kill yourself they have eight channels on TV you can tune into, in addition to about 8 radio stations. Once you've exhausted yourself on the machines there's nothing better than going off to the weights machines, or indeed good old fashioned weights.
If your still going strong then a trip off to the pools in order. The pool is a good size, with lanes partitioned off to keep those pesky kids out your way. Add to that there's a separate pool for the little ones, two Jacuzzi's, steam room and sauna. Excellent facility.
I even ventured into the Spa, in there, apart from the usual beauty products you can get access to a massage - excellent value for money at £23/30 minutes.
Advantages: large gym space, friendly staff Disadvantages: bagel factory
...seeing the previous review regarding Virgin Actives policies towards towels I thought I should attempt to set the record straight from my perspective.
Holmes Place/Virgin Active in my opinion is still a great club and throughout the transition of the takeover have continued to be helpful and approachable when I've questioned any new policies. The staff are extremely friendly and I find the atmosphere of the whole club as enjoyable as ever.
In regards ... ...this by investing £3 billion into environmental research. Being asked to cut back on towels seems the least we can do for the problems we ourselves cause. Under Virgin I hope that the gym continues the high standards it inherited from Holmes Place and so far so good. ...
MikeJones84 26.01.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Virgin Active Fitness Club, Edinburgh
Value for Money
Is it part of a chain?
Service
Cleanliness
Quick review of Virgin Active Fitness Club, Edinburgh
Sadly since the last correspondent things have declined futher at Virgin Active Omni.
It's now a strict one towel policy, the men's sauna/steam room is discusting, the lighting in the building is now all wrong due to the red wall/black carpet/bright flourescent signs, the newspapers which were a really nice addition at the weekends, sweat towels (renewable) replaced by paper towels (disposable), cheaper cosmetics in the changing rooms (which notably have had the 'not tested on animals' signs removed) and fixtures and fittings that are looking a bit tired.
Oh, but there are shiny signs directing you to the toilet and on the way in.
It's a Budget gym at Premium Price. They promised us a 'classic' club, not a 'crappy' one. ...
StepDoh 25.09.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Virgin Active Fitness Club, Edinburgh
Quick review of Virgin Active Fitness Club, Edinburgh
Reception staff are pleasant. Fortunatley issues with air-con and music systems seem to be sorted for now. The gym is busy and I also attend some busy classes. The booking system is not robust enough to cope with no-shows. It is a problem and I can'tthink of a good solution. Some instructors are excellent: professional and manage to make pain-fun. One or two tend to be on the lazy side, with no lesson plan, no "scientific" approach to training and an apparent lack of understanding on how to get the most out of people, long monotonous tracks, few "moves" and lots of inane bellowing. men of course:) ...
AlisonCon 29.01.2009 (28.01.2009)
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Virgin Active Fitness Club, Edinburgh
Advantages: Centrally located, plently of parking Disadvantages: Poor value for money, rip off culture taking over
...have been a member of Virgin Active for almost 2 years, from when it was Esporta up until now. Initially when Virgin took over they brought internet access, brightened up the lounge and generally kept everything that was good about Esporta and added that Branson touch.
In the last few months they have started to claw back the investment they made when they bought the club.
Gone is the free coffee before 8 am
Gone is the free cereal before 8 am
... ...timeables. (Handy for the fridge door at home or the top drawer at work) In internet only timetables.
In addition to this the air conditioning keeps breaking down making classes almost unbearable during the summer heatwave and the microphone headset in spinning never works (and i mean never). This from a club with no towels or any of the other extras you find in other clubs. They have also replaced the sofas and chairs with school dinner hall style ...
santasloss 21.08.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Virgin Active Fitness Club, Edinburgh
Advantages: USED to be a great gym Disadvantages: Too many to count! Attitude of management, feel, policies, cost
...this Holmes Place gym by Virgin Active, the whole place has gone so bad. It's awful, what was once a great, friendly gym is now a barren, busy, unhappy place. The staff evidently aren;t happy with the changes and they were such a credit to Holmes Place. I am most annoyed with the attitude of the manager Lorna who I complained to becuase now we are guilt tripped into only being allowed one towel (long hair and using the steam room give me valid reasons ... ...about this. And yet Virgin has an airline!!!!!
Hello,
Thank you, for your feedback card which was received earlier this month.
I understand that the change in towel policy has come as a great shock to many
members here in Edinburgh.
However, I must stress that this is a gradual re-education process for everyone
and I am sure you understand the environmental reasons behind this initavtive.
We really want to try and reduce people taking excessive ...
cozmicstar 22.01.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Virgin Active Fitness Club, Edinburgh
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