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Virgin Active
Shell-Mex House, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0DT, United Kingdom
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Ci
Review №1

Anytime I visit Virgin Active at the Strand, I am always very happy and impressed with the staff who are very professional, polite and helpful with anything that I need. In particular, Daniel on reception, always going above and beyond. There is also Charlie, who is another helpful member of staff. The changing rooms and poolside are always immaculately clean which is important to me. What a fantastic team

Cl
Review №2

Virgin Active in the strand is absolutely an amazing health club. Its so relaxing and inspiring to be a member and the staff are absolutely encouraging and professional.

Ad
Review №3

I joined this Virgin Active towards the end of lockdown based on their website and my experience of their clubs in Asia which are superb. Unfortunately the London clubs are rundown and tired with shorter opening hours than some of their competitors and with advertised facilities often unavailable. Vending machines are also overpriced leaving you feeling like an exploited captive audience which you have paid for the privilege of being fleeced. Don’t make the mistake I made – AVOID and join elsewhere.

Bi
Review №4

Really good venue, the facilities are great and friendly staff. Can be overwhelmingly busy sometimes but you just have to time your session correctly.They offer an amazing discount for 18-21 users which makes it an even better value.The gym was always very clean with great facilities. I love the fresh towel for showering and the sauna and steam room, very good.

FF
Review №5

Clean and great facilities. Staff was very nice. Recommend

Ma
Review №6

Really nice club, staff are friendly and every time I went there (maybe I was lucky) the gym floor was seams really quiet ! Never tried the caffè area, so I can’t talk about that, but they have a nice and clean swimming pool, great selections of classes and PT.

Sh
Review №7

GREAT gym. Love em

Ha
Review №8

Welcoming staff and very good facilities and classes.

Le
Review №9

Excellent venue and very helpful staff!

Mo
Review №10

Great team always ready to help

Sa
Review №11

The swimming pool is pretty clean and that especially the classes are fantastic.BUTwhen I was getting the membership one of the staff called Shah said we have an offer for PT session. if u get 2 sessions you only pay for one and that it includes program for 3 weeks and advice on food and supplement etc but when I saw the PT he said we wont give you any program or diet advice, this is rather an induction session to tell you how to use the facilities. I never went to the second session with them. but I couldnt get my £35 refunded although they didnt expressly say that...

Da
Review №12

Not happy about the service, the manager Cassandra is very rude, not acceptable for a customers.

ge
Review №13

Terrible dont want more people finding this gem

Pe
Review №14

Staff are pleasant and courteous. Had a bit of an issue getting the correct membership but they were very clear on how to rectify it and allowed me in on my first day. Sorted membership later that day and resumed without an issue.As for the club its excellent for me. Rowing machines, yoga at the right times and an excellent pool. hot tub and sauna. Can pop in at about 8am on my morning commute and have a nice morning swim before heading onwards to work.Changing rooms are clean and despite people on here whinging about air con issues I havent noticed any temperature variations since Ive been a member.All in all pretty good. Showers could do with regular refills of shampoo, etc though.

Ad
Review №15

Great gym. Jayke is an excellent trainer.

Ти
Review №16

Decent gym. Good classes and fresh equipment, clean and not overcrowded. Working hours on weekends are a bit short and soap is not always supplied on time to the showers. Customer service can really vary depending on the member of staff. Solid option but nothing extraordinary.

Ma
Review №17

James has fantastic business and customer service skills, staff really friendlygym was super clean also the Ladies changing room was spotless.I do believe for the size of the changing room one Lady to clean it is not enough,should be added 1 more person to the changing room for sharing the services and duties.

Ol
Review №18

I have been a member for 2 years. And the only reason I did it - great spin class guys. I do not recommend this club to anyone. 1) During December many people go on holiday and they reduce and cancel classes - but for hard working idiots like me who still attend the club - they dont even bother to send a text or e-mail with class cancellation notice. The web-site still assures you that all classes are going on as usual and when you arrive for that class - you face the fact it has been cancelled. (But you still pay over 80 quid for 1 month) A little bit more respect for customers, guys? 2) They do not give combat class tokens which leads to overcrowding in the class. Please be careful - you might get a blow on your head by someones leg just because there isnt enough space. I have seen a situation like this more than once. Just a question of time statistically when one of customers ends up in the ambulance. 3) In the sauna, metal heads of screws which are used to mount wooden seats are exposed. Be very very careful no to step or sit on them. The temperature is about 90 degrees, do the math, what a piece of metal heated up to 90 degrees does to the naked skin.

As
Review №19

This VA leans more towards lifestyle club than gym, with a relaxing atmosphere and good decor. Limited weights area (only one power rack), but covers all the bases and has plenty of treadmills etc. Nice pool and spa area with sauna and steam room.Changing rooms and communal areas are all relatively recently refurbished, and pleasant sitting area by the cafe with sofas and some tables.

Si
Review №20

Good gym, sometimes gets very busy during lunch and after office hours

Ro
Review №21

Massive and good gym with pool steam & sauna..

Mi
Review №22

Cons: Not enough yoga classes at all, air con doesn’t work, the staff are rude and miserable ALL THE TIME (maybe they should be paid more!), ironing service not good, lockers are gross and never cleaned!, things are constantly not working, they don’t even bother to put the correct time on the treadmills, and there is no reformer Pilates even though I was told there was when I joined.Pros: great location, nice swimming/jacuzzi and lounge area.

Ch
Review №23

Dear Virgin Active Members. On Monday, 3rd December 2018, I had a shocking experience at Virgin Active the Strand. During my workout on the gym floor, my locker in the ladies changing room has been forcefully broken open and all of my valuables have been stolen. These includes: my wallet with all cash and credit & debit cards, as well as high valuable jewellery and Louis Vuitton items. I would like to warn all members and express that there is absolutely no support or supervision from the Virgin Active Team!

Je
Review №24

Nice central city gym - has everything you need, equipment is in good shape and environment good. Havent used the swimming pool but that looks good too (quite small though!) Plenty of towels, enough showers, mirrors, lockers and hairdryers. Theyve obviously invested in the gym and done it up/redecorated recently. Has a great buzz in the morning when all the early birds are in!

Jo
Review №25

A truly exceptional health club. I really dont want to give it 5 stars as its not too busy.... and thats fine with me... BUT it really is a great place to work out, chill out, swim, or even just have a relaxed coffee and a read of the papers.

Cl
Review №26

Fabulous gym - a bit worried after negative reviews, but its just been redone, and is a much higher spec than the other gyms in tier 1. Beautifully decorated, and thoughtfully laid out. Had a great spin class here, where theyd laid on a sweat towel for each cyclist. They even have straighteners in the changing rooms... The hot tub looks exceedingly clean, its completely clear. Will keep coming out of my way to use this one.

Ke
Review №27

Great central London gym. Ive been going for over 2 years . There are times that are a bit busy but they manage to make it work. Really like it here and the staff are really friendly. Only gripe. Sometimes the gym floor is occupied for multiple hours in a row by exercise classes leaving little room for stretching areas.

Wi
Review №28

You really dont get what you pay for at Virgin Active on The Strand. As youd expect from a central London location, monthly membership fees are high, however the club does boast an 18m swimming pool, a large jacuzzi, a steam room, a sauna as well as the gym floor itself and a good few rooms for classes, spin, etc. So far, so good.The pool is good and rarely too busy, whilst the cardio equipment is plentiful. There are lots of resistance machines and two free areas, as well as quite a number of free weights. The changing rooms are a little tired but well-equipped.So why only 3 stars? The weights area is by far the worst maintained Ive ever had the misfortune to spend time in - the selfish, arrogant clientele (not all of them, of course, but a significant enough minority) leave weights around all over the place, as well as consistently failing to remove weights from free bars, and the staff DO NOT CARE. Consequently its easy to trip over weights, unclear whether benches, weights or equipment are free, and difficult to get any sort of rhythm to your workout.If you never use weights areas, this gym is fine, if pricey. If you ever use the weights area and are a decent human being, I would warn you away from this gym (I have no idea whether this is pervasive across Virgin Active gyms in general) as you will get incredibly frustrated - it feels like Virgin Active are happy to take your money, but thats where the hard work ends. Ive complained a number of times now and theres been no improvement.Bizarrely, they seem to employ a man who spends his entire shift in the (mens) changing room who ensures that if a towel (theyre complimentary - a good feature) is left unattended for more than four seconds, its whipped away into his cart. If only they cared even half as much about the gym floor.

Ma
Review №29

A good gym, nice staff, but in my opinion it is very poorly designed. The free-weights area is unusable during peak times.The fitness first in strand is nearly 1/3rd of the price, has only 1 floor, and yet the free-weights area has more equipment and is more spacious.

Be
Review №30

Absolutely terrible customer service. I have been in contact with more than five different staff members over several months and every single one of them just stopped responding. This is despite every single staff member saying they would resolve issue over the membership type I have. Beyond words as to how awful the customer care is - join another gym!

Cr
Review №31

Outstanding facility; never experienced anything like it in States. Yoga/meditation areas well built & insulated from regular gym area. Knowledgeable staff make this luxury worth it.

Mi
Review №32

Flowing its refit at the end of 2016 the Strand Virgin Active has become a very attractive, modern gym. There are a number of studios which hold classes throughout the day along with a dedicated spin studio. Everything feels clean and works well and the staff are some of the friendliest people Ive ever met.Only downsides are the relatively small free weights area with only one squat rack and the fact that other, cretinous patrons are utterly incapable of putting any weights back back where they found them - though in my experience this last point is applicable to all VA gyms, not just Strand.

Se
Review №33

Convenient location for my work on The Strand. Not a lot of room, equipment is really crammed in. But a small pool, jacuzzi, spinning studio and everything else you would want. Wouldnt join this gym, but as I can use this club on my membership it gets a better rating :-)

Mi
Review №34

Ongoing issues with the aircon, spin class and bodypump unbearable to be in. Have escalated the issue multiple time, with never ending excuses. Absolutely not possible to use the gym during warmer weather as you constantly feel like you are about to fain from the heat.The only reason i come here is because its close to work and the instructors are good, but the moment any of this changes i would leave in a heartbeat!

Li
Review №35

Agree with previous reviews about customer service. I had a query about charges on my account after Id frozen the contract and not only was the membership manager hugely unhelpful, she failed to get in touch for five days. I have since emailed requesting to cancel, and have not had a response yet (I emailed 6 days ago). Have never encountered such poor customer service and I wont be taking out another contract at this gym or any of the others.

Ba
Review №36

Club has been refurbished and it looks absolutely amazing. Brand new reception and lounge area,bar offering food and drinks, changing rooms and shower area are also new.Staff are so friendly and helpful.the best health club in the area.

Le
Review №37

Love the gym. Great to relax and work out

Ro
Review №38

Great gym - Caroline the manager also went out of her way to help me after losing something there. Great service and great facility.

Ga
Review №39

This gym is underground and yet the Wifi NEVER WORKS!!! How hard can it be to have wifi in central London? I seem to spend half my workouts trying to connect or having to go upstairs for reception. Id suggest not joining this gym until they guarantee the wifi is fixed, as its currently rubbish!

Na
Review №40

Such a welcoming gym! The refurbishment is such an improvement! Staff are so friendly, and just a really positive atmosphere. Cant recommend enough!

To
Review №41

Freshly refurbished gym that looks amazing. Slightly smaller gym floor than most Virgin Actives but thats more than made up for by the overall quality of the equipment and feel to the place.

Zi
Review №42

Great view

Av
Review №43

Very nice facilities and very friendly staff. The best place to escape in central London

Fa
Review №44

I love this place, great staff and clean gym. I wish they had reformer pilates classes for everyone and not only private.

Pe
Review №45

Quiet, well kitted out, clean. But hard work!

ac
Review №46

My home gym is Moorgate in London.I would like to complain about the discourteous treatment I experienced this evening at the Virgin Active gym on the Strand. I had forgotten my wrist band so when I got to the gym at 20:00 this evening (Thursday 28 June 2018) I borrowed one and left my membership card at the reception counter.When I was leaving the gym, at 22:00, a different staff member was manning reception. When I asked if I could have my card back, this staff member, who was occupied with something at his desk, asked me for my last name, and then threw the card on the counter towards me, without eye contact or acknowledgement, and continued with his activity.I have usually found the reception staff at this branch very friendly and helpful, but my experience with this one member of staff this evening was the complete opposite and left me feeling aggrieved, and I have experienced similar situations with this particular staff member before. I would advise you that you train reception staff who are customer facing in customer service skills.

Ma
Review №47

Horrible gymSo many issues and it’s only getting worseWe have been waiting to fix the air conditioning in spinning studio and class studio for over two month alreadyI can not do any classes, because it’s too hot and due to broken airco it’s smells like fish and chips from the hotels nearby.The broken glass in the spinning room no one is fixing and it’s just separated by the ugly red fenceThe emergence button in sauna is not working for ages. It’s not like I need it, but there is sign that they are working on it since I signed in since last year.Few showers are not working for a year.They don’t supply plastic bags anymore, because they say they go green and l they only give one towel per person, saying that there is supplier issue but I am pretty sure they are just trying to save some moneyThe shampoo and conditioner are always emptyShower walls and ceiling are covered y mould.But the have a person sitting in the swimming pool and watching. Never seen something like this in my live! The pool is like 1.60 meters max! Who are they watching?Today I came to exercise and someone was painting something in the gym area and the smell was so strong than after 10 min I got sick and had to go home.I felt sick and had a headache afterwardsThey didn’t even bother to to do in the closing times and ventilate the area properlyI can not do any classes for more than two month already and now I can’t even use the gym.The price is 150 pounds per month btw!So if you want to do your workout and inhale paint and fish and ships please welcome to Virgin Strand!

Ed
Review №48

I love the strand but as someone that loves swimming I do not agree with previous comments about the pool. Tiny 17m pool. The rest of the gym is great and staff very friendly and helpful.

Da
Review №49

Really nice gym! All the weights and machines I want for my workout, and on top of that modern design and great atmosphere.

Ia
Review №50

I use this gym after work around 7.30pm and its already becoming pretty empty- lots of room and not so many people. Few places in London you get that. Hot tub aint the best.

Jo
Review №51

Great venue Mind they need to pick up the dirty towels in the men’s changing room and mop the shower floor

Co
Review №52

Was a member here for over a year and in that time I found the gym excellent and suitable for my needs being close to work. The facilities are fairly standard for this kind of gym, towel service, lockers with wristbands so no need for padlocks, spa area and a decently sized gym with ok equipment.The gym does get busy at peak times, although I mostly went mid afternoon when it was quieter to avoid the crowds, the classes were good, I did spinning a bunch when I could slot in cardio between strength days.I had a trainer for over a year to help push me to new levels, motivate me to reach higher than I ever would have on my own and teach me how to actually do things since I have never been formally shown.The trainers I had, David, then MIguel Mendes for over a year once a week was great at giving me both the skill and confidence to keep pushing and to gain the skill to do the free weights properly, setting me up for the years ahead. I highly recommend if you are looking for strength training at the gym to seek guidance from Miguel and the other PTS who were all super knowledgeable.

Jd
Review №53

Great gym with loads of facilities including studios for yoga, spinning and other classes. Also a good size pool and big sauna/steam room and jacuzzi.

Ba
Review №54

Amazing club especially since the refurbishment. Staff is very friendly, especially Goda! Usually not too busy between 10AM-1PM and then around after lunchtime.Definitely recommend, best VA club in the area.

Bt
Review №55

Really disappointed! went there for Grid class on Monday at lunch time. I booked the class in advance and was there on time. The class was cancelled because the instructor was late! Obviously no communication sent in advance, only a member of staff letting us know 5 min after the start time! with the price we are paying, is it not possible to have plan B when an instructor can not make it? or at least make sure 15min in advance that the instructor is in the club already?? I feel that you guys dont realise that people are time poor and make huge effort to be able yo attend a class on time specifically at lunch time in week days! I never saw this kind of treatment to customers even in basic gym clubs!

Ni
Review №56

Very nicely put together. The weights area is a bit limited and in the dungeon but otherwise a very nice facility

Os
Review №57

Clean.

Ru
Review №58

Location is good. Rest isnt. Lockers are always breaking. They keep removing weight machines and replacing them with duplicates. Showers often dont have shower gel. Not enough staff.

Be
Review №59

Lots of cardio equipment but good luck trying to use the weights/ resistance - always too busy. Perhaps get rid of some of the vibrating plates that no one uses! Its a good location for me as I can go after work but to be honest Ill probably have a look at the new fitness first on Bedford street when my membership is due for renewal.

Ma
Review №60

Amazing gym. After the refurbishment is even better. Can be very busy from 5 to 7

Vi
Review №61

Really friendly and helpful staff. Enjoyed working out there. Good equipment too

Na
Review №62

The staff I have encountered has been quite nice and pretty helpful. However, the gym itself has issues: the mats in Studio One are not only cracked and old but who knows if they have ever been cleaned, a sink in the womens locker room has been clogged for literally a month or more, paper towels in the gym (for wiping down equipment) and Studio One are often MIA and the dispenser for them in the has been broken for weeks. WEEKS. The floor in the studio doesnt seem to be washed during the day at all (which is rather gross considering the amount of sweat dripped on it). Once EVER I saw someone take a dry mop to it after a class. The towels as of late have been in short supply because of an issue they had with their vendor. I would not go to this gym if it wasnt the closest to me. For the amount of money it costs per month, VA should be ashamed of what they are offering to customers. They need to sort it out.

Ru
Review №63

Arrogant, unhelpful and unpleasant senior management preside over a dysfunctional club. Despite the premium fees there are no gym attendants even at busy times; low staff morale; poorly maintained equipment; unbelievably slow (if ever) response to guest feedback / complaints and almost no sense of customer service. Do Virgin Active care about anything other than raking in more fees?

Fa
Review №64

Too hot, don’t have the latest technogym equipment (even after the refurbishment and upgrade!). Wouldn’t recommend unless you enjoy working out in 25 degree heat.

To
Review №65

Recently refurbished... it looks good. Really nice place. Not cheap though...

Th
Review №66

Uninspired & unhelpful staff - Not worth the money. For £150p/m Third Space offers everything better

Br
Review №67

If Carlesberg did gyms, then this is it! Moved to Virgin Active after three years with Nuffield Health - its a different league. Better staff, equipment, shower and changing facilities, complimentary drinks in the lounge area, Molton Brown shower gel... ridiculous. Try it out if considering a step up in your regime. For me, its shown me a gym can have a weights area with enough space to safely work out. Well done Virgin Active!

Ju
Review №68

I have contacted everyone at this brand to bring my complaints on the table: lack of cleanliness, mildew in the showers, lack of customer service skills, constant membership fee UNJUSTIFIED increases, poor management, staff gossiping about their poor salary and working conditions, cleaners shaving their heads during working hours in the changing rooms, dirty lookers that remain dirty over the weeks, complimentary facilities not replenished, unacceptable staff behavior in classic clubs (staff putting customers in difficult situations by kissing them before the eyes of the entire club in a very camp attitude this is going on in Mayfair), massive amounts of broken lookers making your own stuff insecure, etc, etc, etc... Richard has now banks!!!! Would you put your money in a bank that has these standards???? I think some of their business have collapsed in the last few years and it is probably because Richard is really far away from his customers feelings and experiences and instead of spending so much time on his little island, perhaps he should use his own clubs and experience his own medicine in his clubs!

So
Review №69

Love this club! I started going with a guest pass and ended up joining.

Kr
Review №70

As gyms go, this is a good one for if youre a cardio bunny. Weights area is, as always in commercial gyms, small. Peak times are VERY BUSY

De
Review №71

Virgin has some of the best clubs in london thanks to Sir Richard but the vibe ie members staff at this club are amazing and so friendly even to a shy guy like me ❤💛💚☝

Wi
Review №72

This is a pretty small gym but well equipped with pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and good range of machines. It gets busy straight after work but otherwise not too bad.

be
Review №73

Great club, beautiful facilities, classes and staff

Ja
Review №74

Love VA- thisis not my club, but i use it sometimes when at work. weights not great but v convenient

Ra
Review №75

Grid classes with Bryn and Ryan are great! Brilliant facilities and looks great after its refurb, especially the new changing rooms and showers with GHD hair dryers and straighteners!

An
Review №76

Lovely club, very bright, like being in a space ship however membership is veerrrrrrrry ker-ching!xxxx

G
Review №77

New renovation looks good. The addition of a cafe is nice

Ph
Review №78

Ok but too expensive for me as I only want a gym for one night a week. Gym gets v busy. Changing rooms and pool v clean. Good Yoga and Pilates if you can get in. Sauna temp was a bit low but theyd replaced it and probably fixed now.

Am
Review №79

Top notch facilities and lovely staff.A bit disappointed with the weekend’s opening hours and poor class timetable for what I pay.

Review №80

This gym is very nice youll find towels, jacuzzi, swimming pool, weights and everything youll need for the gym

ro
Review №81

This club is good but not great, despite a recent refurb. It is relatively small which means it can get very busy at peak times. None of the cardio equipment is bluetooth compatible (unlike other Virgin gyms I use) which means if you have fitness apps you cant use them, nor can you listen to your own music via the machines. On the plus side it is alway spotless and the staff are generally friendly. Because of its small size it misses out of some of the weights machines and equipment commonplace in other Virgin Gyms. The water pressure in the showers is also quite weak/variable. I use this gym because its convenient for my work and my membership means I use one nearer my home at the weekend (which is a lower grade Virgin Active but actually better in most ways). Ive shopped for an alternative but there isnt one, if there was Id probably take it

C
Review №82

Good gym Im a central location. Has reformer Pilates but charge an additional cost to the membership which makes it super expensive

Ju
Review №83

Im a regular in broadgate, Mayfair and strand VA. the strand one is easily ranked as the worst of the three.The opening hour is shortest among all the VA I go, especially during the weekend. Class during the weekend is lack of inspiration. Only two class (one core and one circles) on Sunday - seriously?! Regarding the decoration, its just on par with any refurbished VA, nothing outstanding. The Barre room mirror is very narrow for the class to see them in the mirror. And you cannot find additional towel in the changing room so you have to remember to bring enough towel into the changing room. Also the bath towel is the smallest among the three VA.The above I can tolerant. But the thing I dislike this VA most is they generally do not respect memebers time.Its not a cheap gym so we can assume memebers want to have an efficient service. I ALWAYS have to wait easily 3 minutes just to get my card swiped but the front desk OR get my card back from the front desk. Unlike other VA front desk, front desk staff here is just do not know how to multi task. For example, they speak to one person in lengthy conversation and let all the memebers wait to be checked in. Or they answer a long phone call discuss (with flirting tone and frequent laugh) how to areange one memebers get his key out the lock while let me wait to get my card back at end of the session. Im not oppose them provide service to other member but common sense, you realise its going to be a long conversation then get my card in or out.Bear in mind these detailed annoyness happens sometime after I have to wait 10 mins at the beginning of the class due to previous class was delay. I never have to wait more than 5 minutes for a class in any other VA gym.In comparison, front desk in other VA can take payment, answer phone call while swipe my card at the time.I mean - pls get the basic right. Front desk, big smile and at least TRY to be multi tasking. Even if this branch cannot find capable front desk staff, maybe consider to use the barrier door like Mayfair club so I can get in myself.Wont recommend friend to this particular VA.

Di
Review №84

I go huh? reading the negative reviews - I have not had even remotely similar experiences, and am perfectly happy with the gym. Fitness First on Bedford Street is a nearby competitor that recently invested in a renovation; pre-renovation, my choice of Virgin Active was a no-brainer, even despite its higher cost, but, hopefully, Fitness First is more competitive now.

Mi
Review №85

Lovely environment for a thorough work out followed by relaxing steam, sauna and jacuzzi

Go
Review №86

Nice location but all the cardio kit is well past its sell by date.Usb charger ports dont work. Very outdated software. Be disappointed if I joined this place tbh.Visitor from another (marginally better) Virgin gym.

Le
Review №87

This is my home gym so I visit it regularly. The staff are generally really helpful and the classes are great!

Zh
Review №88

Its a small gym but not too busy in the mornings so makes up for a rather good deal - better than bigger, but also busier Virgin Active branches in the city. Certainly has everything you need and its freshly refurbished so a touch of swankiness :)

Ma
Review №89

Decent gym. Underground but then arent they pretty much always?

Mi
Review №90

Sadly there are no minus stars !!!!I was a member of the club in the past many years. The steam room most of the time broken, the shower gel, towels, wet kit bag, toilet paper ... quite often running out. Also as every quoter of the year they put the price up as the quality goes down !!!! Extremely disappointed with them !!!!

Mi
Review №91

Its what it said on the tin. I have been other branch of Virgin active and this one is a good fate for a four star as it can be hectic during the pick hours which is not ideal for those who wants to train hard and leave as machine will not be available

Bo
Review №92

Been a member for a couple years as its close to the office, but things have really gone downhill recently. in short - they no longer have ANY staff on the floor to offer people advice (only personal trainser) and the entire gym is in need of a refurbishment (dirty showers and change rooms, dated equipment, and a poor smell over the gym floor).Cons1. There are no longer ANY staff (except paid personal trainers) on the gym floor. Have a question about an exercise? The only way is to pay for a personal trainer. Unacceptable for a gym of this price. the staff that are in the red shirts are always in the small room talking with one another, i suppose thats more fun than talking with customers.2. Shower area: absolutely horrific conditions! there is always an inch or two of water all over the shower area due to drainage issues. mildew and mould in the showers. to make it worse, the gentlemen who are meant to clean the showers spend their time socialising rather than cleaning.3. Showers have see through glass: yes, that right - you can see through the shower glass to the stall next to you. if there are 10 showers free and you choose a stall, within 2 minutes you have someone in the stall next to you. make of that what you will.4. Lockers: dirty inside, i think its been years since they have last been cleaned.5. machines: the weights and machines all look tired and old. i suspect a lot of the equipment needs to be changed over.6. Hot tub area: the hot tub/jacuzzi is filthy dirty inside. im not sure when (if ever) it is cleaned. people run the jets so it gives the allusion of being clean, but once the jets stop the dirt settles its off putting7. the entire space has a horrid odor. perhaps the basement location with no natural light doesnt help, but perhaps if the place was cleaned occasionally the smell would be more pleasant.8. Personal trainers have NO regard for people trying to work out without a PT: they will take over your machine, and spend 20 minutes chatting and talking about form, with no regard for anyone around them.9. Showers: hot water. its one thing having a cold shower in the summer, but its not very pleasant having a cold shower in the dead of winter after a workout. Often times the hot water is out.10. Weights: you probably shouldnt use this gym if you intdend to use weights. Customers leave the weights everywhere (i suppose considering the state of the gym people seem to give up as well) - so if you are looking for anythign specific, chances are its on the opposite side of the gym hiding in a corner.Pros1. There is a new chap working at the front who is pleasant/friendly and actually seems to be enjoying himself. The rest of the staff just gossip about their low wages (why not work somewhere else then?).2. Yoga and spin classes are fun.3. The steam room has recently been redone and is perfectly usable.4. The pool is nice and not particularly crowded.

Be
Review №93

Fairly small gym but 7/10 for equipment

ch
Review №94

What is it with having people on the reception that are extremely unhelpful and verging on rude? Where do you get these idiots from?If I had this kind of attitude and tone with my clients I`d be jobless in a week.Surely information on how your club tier structure works is at the tips of a receptionists fingers , without having to argue with someone to find out if i can attend the gym or not. 10 mins later she couldnt help me.... useless!!

Ha
Review №95

Its okay, but very small. There is a very limited array of weights - and the treadmills (the new tradmills!) are terrible, often crashing mid run or not working at all. Theyre not the latest either, lacking Apple Watch support which, with the prices I pay, would expect the gym to be on top of when investing

Ch
Review №96

Alright place, can get very busy. Showers are mostly clean, pool is very short. Steam room and sauna are a bit of hit and miss, some times working some times not.

D
Review №97

As a visitor the staff are always very helpful and friendly.

la
Review №98

They have recently upgraded and it is amazing worth every single penny!!!!

Ri
Review №99

Close to my work and the facilities are just what I was looking for! Only criticism would be the need for the place to be a tad cleaner (but I was there at peak time)

Ai
Review №100

Equipment a bit old and tired and bathrooms need a bit of updating. I only go for a run on the treadmill and its fine for that

Information
100 Photos
100 Comments
3.7 Rating
  • Address:Shell-Mex House, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0DT, United Kingdom
  • Site:https://www.virginactive.co.uk/clubs/strand?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=local
  • Phone:+44 20 8124 4124
Categories
  • Fitness center
  • Exercise equipment store
  • Gym
  • Wellness center
Working hours
  • Monday:6:30AM–8PM
  • Tuesday:6:30AM–7PM
  • Wednesday:10AM–4PM
  • Thursday:10AM–4PM
  • Friday:6:30AM–8PM
  • Saturday:6:30AM–8PM
  • Sunday:6:30AM–8PM
Service options
  • Online classes:Yes
  • Onsite services:Yes
Amenities
  • Wi-Fi:Yes
Planning
  • Membership required:Yes
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