Virgin Active

This club could be much better for that price. It's crowdy, classes overbooked and you can't get in in any class, woman changing room is always dirty, a lot of towels around and no plastic bags. Once I even did an experiment left a paper inside the cupboard and it's still there for several months. The same experiment I did in the training floor and my scrunchy still on the floor as they never hoovering. Also I did an experiment in the steam room! Gosh other my scrunchy still in the steam room! they never washed it! The training room doesn't have proper condition system. Jakuzi is dirty.
Also some of the staff are very unfriendly. On the training floor they are ok, but in the reception one spanish (i think) girl not nice. She is very rude, can't understand why she is still there.

I tried this gym once just over a year ago and the experience was appalling. Temperature and aircon couldn't cope with the numbers of people. I asked several staff what they thought the max temp should be and none of them could answer. Half way through my shower all the water suddenly went off. I guess that might not be their fault. but the staff remained profoundly disinterested and unhelpful. When I left , although it was my first visit , nobody asked what I thought of it. I submitted a feedback card but despite countless reminders my complaints remain unresolved. Keep clear of this place! Virgin are pricey , which is OK if they actually provide the frills, but you might as well go to one of the cheaper ones as go here.

This gym is definitely not worth the price. Classes are often overfull and it is near impossible to work in with the crowds in the weight room. They open at 6.30 and the weight room is full right away - obviously there is demand to open a little earlier. Cardio machines are plentiful during non-peak times but forget it during peak times. They regularly have towel shortages and are incapable of informing you of how many days the shortage will last. I've been a regular here for a long time but going to cancel my membership because all this together with the fact that they are terrible neighbours for the local community has done me in. It's a lot of money for a service that becomes more mediocre by the day!

The problem with this place is not the facilities or the location (although I agree w other reviewers that the staff are rather dismissive and unfriendly) but the members. more specifically the number of children in what is supposedly an adult club. The changing room is frenetic, with screaming children and mothers showing off their great parenting by speaking really loudly to them. It may not be as bad in the male locker rooms, with gender roles being as they are. Sticking soiled nappies in the bin without a nappy sack and allowing children to run rogue. Staff have told me the reason there is no weighing scales is so many have been broken by children playing on them. If you are a swimmer the problem is here, as there is no adult only time in the poolit is always populated with noisy babies and chidren. Not a relaxing experience at all. Virgin need to sort out their targetting and priorities.Adult, expensive, high end club or family friendly? they dont co-exist - certainly not at this centre. Some adult only zones or times would go a long way

The staff are rude and unhelpful, maybe not the best branch for first time gym members or if you expect customer service. The facilities are good although crowded evenings and weekends. If you’re not bothered about a swimming pool, go somewhere else. I have to say in Islington the community gyms and swimming pools are pretty good and can be less crowded as people tend not to think of them.

It's not my home club but I still like to visit for a swim and jacuzzi because the facilities are fantastic. Friendly and helpful staff and some great teachers too (Wednesday night spin is great).

One of the better Virgins, the gym area is large and they have quite a lot of free weights and other equipment. Does get quite busy at times though

Creche staff were very rude unlike the days when Kim was the Creche Manager, these days children left in soiled nappies, papers scattered everywhere on front desk,staff sitting down drinking hot drinks around the children. These people are supposed to be qualified in care child ???? laughable qualified in chatting and sitting around. Bring back Kim !!!!!

I have to say that my experience here has been nothing short of top banana.

The only slightly justifiable gripe could be the price, but as always you get what you pay for and I for one am happy to splash out a little bit more for a better standard of service and cleanliness. I have had experience of gyms where the men's changing rooms resemble a battlefield after a ruthless, bloodthirsty set to and where only a set of hover boots will save you from picking up all manner of peculiar as yet undiscovered blights of the feet.

The levels of spotlessness extend beyond the confines of the men's room too: the gym machines are all modern and generally clean and in good working order; you could eat your dinner off the floor area of the gym and the pool/spa area is also fresh and confidence-inducingly sparkling.

Also, the staff members on duty I have always found to be as helpful as possible even to a smart arse like me whose reticence to asking for help could easily see him mangled and contorted into the mechanisms of the weights machine rather than disclose that I don't know what I am doing and, Hoddle forbid, may be in need of some assistance. I don't go to many of the classes, but have never had a problem booking a space on the yoga one (I've only had a problem turning up!).

Upstairs there's Sky Sports and an area with seating and free internet access and ultimately with a gym like Virgin that sets you back almost £80 a month, it's worth every penny if you go on a regular basis and utilise the excellent facilities. However, if you don't then obviously it ain't.

Great gym with a huge pool and spa area, wide varity of classes and helpful staff.

That’s not to say that members are any good, though. A few pervs in the spa area and imbeciles that leave the treadmill on after they have finished their go (not to mention the imbeciles that don’t check to see whether the treadmill is still on before hopping on it, only to fall flat on their face in gym rush hour. Ahem. Lesson learnt)

But, idiocy aside, I have found this to be a really good gym and well worth the ££ to go there.

Unfortunately this isn’t my home club but I make sure I take advantage of the fact I can use other Virgin Active gyms 4 times a month! This is my favourite! The main gym itself is great, with all the newest equipment. There are lots of flatscreen tvs showing many different channels which is better than the 4 at my home club.

The sauna and swimming area is fantastic - it looks like something abroad! The massive jacuzzi pool is worth a visit to Angel itself.

My boyfriend is a member here but I often get guest passes to come along too; usually quite expensive but the do 2 for £20 sometimes which is a good deal. The swimming pool and spa area is the best bit. They have a very hot sauna there (105 degrees) but also a slightly cooler one (75 degrees). The gym equipment is the latest and I find the free towels a really nice touch.

The pool and the spa area are fantastic. I love swimming a few laps then kicking back in the whirlpool. I wish I had more time to spend this way. It’s really great to have this feature at my local fitness centre. The workout equipment is pretty much all top line stuff. I generally just use the stationary bikes and they are fine. There are mounted TVs to view but I usually have my iPod with me. I’ve never had too much of a problem using any of the equipment. There always seems to be people around but never too many people. Of course, it should be noted that I’m able to go at off times and can avoid the pre and post-work rush. Come to think of it, I have had to deal with crowding in the lanes of the swimming pool before. But that usually is the result of lessons taking place. After learning the schedule, it wasn’t a problem for me anymore.

A close acquaintance swears by the early AM spin class, but I’ve never taken any of the many, many classes. In particular a spin class at any time of the day sounds like cruel and unusual punishment to me.

This gym is great - it has all the facilities you might need, inc aerobics studio with a full range of classes, swimming pool, large gym area with a variety of cardio & weights equipment, internet access, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and sunbed.

I love how everything is under one roof, and the place is so spacious that you never feel cramped or crowded (even at peak times) and I've never had to wait to use a machine.

The only downside is how expensive membership is, so I would advise waiting until there is a promo deal on or negotiating with the sales advisor after you've tried the facilities after a free trial visit.