Virgin Active
Fitness center Virgin Active, Riverside, West Ferry Circus Canary Wharf, Canary, London E14 8RR, United Kingdom:
148 reviews
of visitors, the most complete information about the address, business hours, location on the map, photos, phone number, website and other contacts.
Address: Riverside, West Ferry Circus Canary Wharf, Canary, London E14 8RR, United Kingdom
Website: virginactive.co.uk
Phone number: +44 20 8124 4112
GPS coordinates
Latitude: 51.5064349Longitude: -0.0285623
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reviews
Robert Weisenbloom
Poor treatment of customers over Covid. Reopens for 2 weeks in December and being made to pay for it even though I never went and thought membership was frozen. Apathetic customer service staff. Spa and pool were closed for most of the year but continued to charge customers full price for what is basically a pure gym without the spa facilities. Spa area looks tired and often dirty. This company is all about the money. Would not recommend
1 month ago
Billy Cao
This place is my paradise! Yes, it is expensive, but for those who wants top service this is the place to be! I work at one Canada square, so it takes me 10 mins to walk there, but it is totally worth it, especially when you go there during lunch break! It is not as busy as Third space (my colleagues told me that you should actually queue for the machines there during lunch break, which is a total mood killer to me)! Always clean!! Seriously, it is sooooo clean! Sometimes I think that I am an armature germaphobe???? but I go there WITHOUT flip-flops! Staff is friendly and if you need anything you can always ask them! I have moved my membership from another Virgin brunch and had to wait for a month after I notified them! However, they allowed me to start 2 weeks before my membership got moved! And of course their swimming pool is to die for????
5 months ago
Dave Vest
The most beautiful spa in the city inside a gym. Not very big but amazing view from the window .
5 months ago
Robert Mohabeer
Great facilities, though looking a bit tired in places such as the changing rooms and especially the therapy pool areas
4 weeks ago
Michael Scardina
Lovely view! But:
- padlock lockers
- small & overcrowded during pick hours
- old facilities and equipment
- not enough weights / machines / space, couldn’t do my planned workout... again :(
For the plus:
+ easy to store bike
+ nice stuff
+ great view
+ more than enough cardio machines
5 months ago
Nicolette Chin
Poor quality gym, equipments are broken everytime, instead of going back to normal hours since covid they still closing early and still charging members full price while all other health clubs have gone back to normal hours. This gym does not even have enough equipment mostly cardio machines
6 months ago
Juan Varela
Kam is very inappropriate towards staff and clients like myself. I don’t want to mention the issues as I am worried he may cause me issues in the club. I don’t feel comfortable in virgin and I have been a member for over 2 years. I have been told by other members of staff that he has a lot of issues with people with the gym and would recommend me sending a complaint. He’s even challenged his own staff in the male changing rooms which I find very inappropriate as there is separate rooms to have personal conversations with staff. He makes the gym very uncomfortable and would love it if he can be replaced or sent to another branch before he actually gets himself into trouble.
1 week ago
Andres Cifuente
My homeclub ! Always amazing, the jacuzzi is 100% hot, perfect for rewinding and relaxing after a long busy day !
10 months ago
Sean Gaines
Brilliant service and amazing spa area.
6 months ago
Parker Haley
Pros:
- Pool is nice, good views of the Thames and isn't too busy at weekends
- Good amount of free weights on the top floor
- Generally good customer service
Cons:
- Showers are tired and neglected. Half of them don't work properly and the soap dispensers in nearly all of them don't work. Have complained at least 5 times about this, but to no avail. Wouldn't take much investment to fix this.
- Water in the spa pool isn't that warm
- Sauna and steam room get very busy at peak times
- Too many busy classes in the middle of the free weight area
- Coffee machine often broken and they've scrapped the place which sold shakes, juices etc. in favour of a vending machine
1 month ago
Slavica Popovic
Beautiful view from swimming pool, clean and showers already provide shampoo and conditioner as well as body wash, towels and GHD hair straighteners and blowdryers! Everything is provided so you dont need to bring anything else other than a wet bag for your dirty clothes and some fresh new clothes to wear after shower
5 months ago
Todd Clark
Constantly closing at last minute. Not ideal when the gym makes you late for work. Also there have been 2 pairs of straighteners in the ladies changing rooms which after months of people asking for more has really started to annoy users. You can be waiting 30 mins in the morning for a pair. If I was looking to join a gym I would think twice about this one because it’s the small things that can really matter
4 months ago
Karthigeyan Kathirvel
Very small gym, rude receptionist.
Only positive is the spa, rest is not even worthy of a low cost gym.
If you're willing to pay up for a quality gym go to Third space in Canary wharf, it's much better value for money.
1 month ago
Timofey Russkih
Nice clean gym with plenty of space and the staff are friendly!
6 months ago
Linda Cave
Great place to work with a lovely view of the river - cafe is generally unmanned. Clean, large swimming, sauna, steam and jacuzzi facilities. Changing rooms are oddly laid out but do the job.
2 months ago
Daly Martelo
Think personally that fees are far too high for what one gets. Prob ok if you have a lot of time on your hands to come off peak but apart from that: great location and view from poolside.. nice spa but could be more cleaner at certain times.
4 months ago
Evo Guy
Poor customer service when it comes to cancelling membership.
I called my club to end my membership as I was working out of London and cancelled my direct debit. The membership was way over the 6-month-year contract period.
2 weeks later VA contacted me to demand I pay 6 weeks worth of membership fees despite not using Gym.
2 months ago
Fanusa Giugaru
I enjoyed the experience using the swimming pool and spa area, but in the end was very disappointed in the company's unethical subscription policy. On top of that, the staff happened to be very unhelpful. Such a shame
2 months ago
Rod Major
This is the best health club I have seen so far and water in swimming pool is ionised and not chlorinated.
1 month ago
Umesh Gautam
Really good gym and a great place to unwind with the spa area. Worth a visit
6 months ago
Bj Ison
We like the spa facilities otherwise wouldn't have joined as the rest of the facilities are quite poor for the price we pay.
They do not keep the ONLY one studio room clean and had to take a manager to show lot of dust and hair lying around the studio floor.
Customer service is just OK. Its been 6 months and they still haven't provided us with a free gym bag (not that we need it) offered at joining. Staff does not genuinely want to help but are just there doing a job.
Shower rooms need a good clean and some of the showers do not work properly or there is no soap in the showers.
To sum up...if you like to relax in the spa area go for this gym otherwise there are better options for premium gyms in the are for almost same price like Third Space.
3 months ago
Terry Gassaway
Worth the money just for the serenity and beauty of the pool. Except they are now playing the worst music all day every day in there and it totally destroys the experience. Have contacted management on this but they do not see this as a problem.
2 months ago
deepa prajapati
I LOVE THIS HEALTH CLUB! I regularly use gyms all around London (my membership allows me to use any Virgin Active) and I have to say every time I walk into Canary i'm impressed. Always receive great service from the friendly staff and the place is always clean. Never have any problems getting on machines or using equipment and the spa is one of the best I've seen! Hats off to the management team for doing a great job!
5 months ago
Theresa Gibbs
The best gym in the area but I think they shoudk improve more not just kepe make money and add members in the book.
2 weeks ago
Sanjuana Colunga
Excellent facilities, great friendly reception staff
9 months ago
Elaine Wang
Incredibly bad service. They "missed" my cancellation in April, even though the website confirmed it, and force me to pay for the last month of membership now in August, after I've been there for years, even though I left the country in April. Bad bad bad customer service. Do not sign up.
10 months ago
Nick Derosa
Great gym with good views
1 month ago
Gregory Bubenyak
this is an absolutely incredible health club. the views are amazing especially from the pool. feels really nice and relaxing. if you like the environment where your gym is located this is perfect (in terms of nice surroundings as river and views). the club is mostly empty during off peak. offers classes (including les mills), there is gym floor, cardio room, grid, pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub and they have this special thing in one of their jacuzzi - stones on the ground which you can use as a foot massage/reflexology which I thought was pretty cool!
1 month ago
litty gang
Amazing pool and views. Weights are not a wide. Range just average. It is an expensive affair Nd no discount on parking below.
1 week ago
Ron Halbach
Love it
3 weeks ago
Mark Pellegrini
Terrible (mis) management of what used to be a good gym. Manager had me wait for 30 mins while an issue was checked with a guest pass. Facilities have worsened, every time there seems to be something broken. The one good thing is that it’s not busy, all the staff seem to know it’s probably going to shut soon as it has unsustainably low patronage. Avoid.
4 months ago
Murrium Zaheer
The gym itself and all its structures are amazing. The spa is fantastic and the area is obviously very nice. I love the view from the swimming pool area. Only negative point is some of the people at the Reception, one of the ladies in particular; not welcoming at all every time I went there as a guest (I am a member of another Virgin Active gym but a good friend of mine is a guest here. Other than that I would have given 5 stars.
1 week ago
John Gilliam
Have been a member for 4 months and cancelled my membership last month and had to pay for a month that I did not use due to their cancellation policy. Briefly, if you're looking to join the club, don't..
Here are the reasons not to purchase memberships at this club;
- not enough equipment and mostly old equipment,
- rude staff, not even says morning or anything unless you've bought some PT packages etc.
- the PTs try to sell you their sessions, if they think you'll never buy, you will be invisible to any club staff,
- opening hours is a joke, check saturday and sunday morning opening times.
- the club is overcrowded sometimes, especially the high demanded equipments.
I was impressed with the pool, spa area and also the views to be honest, it would have been much better if I read the comments here, where most of them were experienced by myself.
I think the only positive side of this club is the pool and spa area (not in peak time) along with the location. But will definitely recommend people to stay away and choose a much cheaper 24/7 club with better equipment.
2 months ago
Johann Barrios
Management not able to help . Facilities not at the same level of the other gyms and they try their best to make your life difficult! It doesn't worth the money that we pay!
6 months ago
Robert Kooflin
Good health club. All residents around the area are using the facilities of the club. Besides well equipped gym, it also has facilities of swimming pool and sauna bath.
1 week ago
Paul Sousa
I do only group classes and I'm quite frustrated with the level of instructors. In the past I've attended many other branches with lower tier like Hammersmith, Fulham Pools, Strand, Barbican and everywhere instructors were great. In Cannary Riverside branch I've been to zumba class (Saturday) and it wasn't possible to keep up with the instructor and she didn't seem to be bothered that nobody can repeat what she was doing except several people in the front row. I got so annoyed with trying to read her mind, that left half way through. Then I attended a body pump class (Sunday) which was taught by an elderly lady. Her technique was very much questionable as she couldn't do most of the exercises and couldn't lift weights (which is no wonder in her age), also her level of energy was not suitable for such a high-intensity class. It looks like that the fees Canary Riverside charges are mostly for location and the views from the pool.
2 months ago
Justin Pedersen
More like Waterfront Leisure Centre in Woolwich rather than Canary Wharf Virgin active due to following issues:
Chlorine level in Jacuzzi Spa area is very high to the point of eyes itching and skin, hair smelling after taking shower and day after visit!
This problem occurs for over few months now. Same issue does NOT exist in Aldersgate, Mansion House, Barbican Virgin active so I would like to know why nothing has been done to correct it in Canary Wharf!
Weekend mornings are off limits:
Children allowed to swim between 9-11 but not sure why I saw teenagers and even baby in nappy in jacuzzi- it is a joke
Spa area- wall sign says relax and unwind- impossible at some times of days where a certain people think they are still at work shouting over each other and being just loud and disruptive.
Also using mobiles in Jacuzzi
Only Pro is great yoga and pilates teachers, if not them
I would give up membership long time ago.
6 months ago
Starion Black
I have been a member for ages and I really like this gym compared to Third Space which can be a little too big and less of a "Health Club". I do go to the gym to work out but sometimes will take my laptop and work from the lounge. Staff are loyal and friendly to clients. PT sessions are very expensive but you do not need it if you go to classes. The machines are very high tech and follow you on a program which is all tracked in an app. Keep up the customer services (New staff need to be trained) but I am happy. I really enjoy going to this gym!
7 months ago
Dan Arch
definitely agree with those saying this gym has gradually declined over the last 6 years. When I joined it had a decent weights room and a great cardio room. They’ve now changed the weights room so there are barely any weights machines - most of it had been dedicated to functional fitness or whatever, and it’s super overcrowded for the tiny space that it is. They’ve also replaced their old treadmills with new ones which are actually worse than the ones they had before.
Only good thing left about this is the spa and hydrotherapy pools. Not sure it’s worth the amount they’re charging for it though. Lots of other virgin actives around. Or the reebok gym offers a decent alternative if you need one in Canary Wharf.
6 months ago
Qua Show
Beautifully located and a regular some 25 yrs. In need of some TLC and review. Prices no longer match product. Gorn to Nuffield
2 months ago
Amanda Selwyn
it is a relatively small gym - not necessary a good value for money as can be very crowded and limited space floor (also not a great choice of equipment).
When there is more and more 24 hours gyms around VA decided to shorten their operating they have shortened their hours. This is why i can not attend on Friday evening after work or during weekends.
3 months ago
Gracie Vesperman
The manager Ben is a liar was told on the Friday over the phone that I could bring my two daughters to use the swimming pool between 9am and 5pm on the Saturday turn up at 11am to be told they cannot come in this place cares about one thing only not your health not customer service the money in your bank is all they care about s lit better places around to train in Canary Wharf these days this place is actually getting more grubby staff don’t care overpriced and oversubscribed and the management lie to there members avoid and spend that cash somewhere better
5 months ago
Alan Ostaff
I signed up online with Virgin active at canary riverside less than a week ago, mostly for the pool, and gave my notice to cancel two days ago, after the pool has been broken down over several days. New members are entitled to a cooling off period, in which they are entitled to cancel and get their membership fees refunded (less a pro rata portion based on the days since signing up). Virgin tried to manipulate this in several ways:
1) Their online system does not allow you to complete the transaction. The following day, their customer services lure you into coming to their premises to complete it. This is exactly what happened to me. Whereas online joins are entitled to a 14-day cooling off period, members who join at the gym, are entitled to a 7-day cooling off period only, with the additional restriction that they must have not used the gym. Sure enough, they played this card on me when trying to cancel.
2) Members are able to cancel their membership via a customer representative, or for online joins, through Virgin's website. Their customer representative is an aspiring actor and entertainer(!) with no intention of letting you cancel. Their website is tweaked such that you cannot choose a cancelation date earlier than a month's time, and even then, no confirmation is received.
After meeting with their customer representative, trying to cancel online, emailing their customer services and General Manager, and not hearing back for more than 24hr, I went to their premises once more, where the General Manager promised to honor the cancelation. To their credit, the General Manager did make himself available promptly once I was there, and resolved this quickly and efficiently.
2 months ago
Debra Wood
Stunning swimming pool and fantastic spa facilities. My favourite thing about this gym is that It never feels too busy. Staff are friendly and theres definitely a community feel about the place. At about five times the size, Third Space and is arguably a better gym in terms of facilities (they really do have everything from boxing rings to climbing walls) — but its also a lot busier and realistically are you really going to use all this extra equipment? For a quieter and calmer experience I would certainly recommend Virgin.
8 months ago
Angela Farr
I came here to speak to someone regarding joining up to this virgin gym. I am already a member of one in Essex however starting a new job in London I felt this one would be more accessible and convenient for me. Whilst waiting to speak to someone, there was a young lady on the front desk using her mobile phone and as I asked her for assistance she asked me to "just wait". Taken aback, I stood and waited. As I waited a male came over who I'm assuming was the manager. I thought he had witnessed what had just happened and was going to discipline her. However I was clearly wrong. They started to have a conversation between themselves, whilst I was still invisible, and they were berating staff members. They were also speaking about one of there members in a derogatory manner. I feel if someone is larger and they are going to the gym I feel they should be praised not mocked. I felt this was so unprofessional. I've reconsidered going here now. I feel as a representation of the company they should make the gym feel somewhere everyone is welcome and not just for 'naturally gifted' people. I don't fancy being ridiculed and mocked. Not for me and not for anybody above 10stone clearly.
9 months ago
Steven Kelly
For such a high price, quite a poor offering. There are currently just two squat racks, one of which is a machine and another without adjustable safety levels. Bizarre. But apparently there'll be a revamp of the upstairs part.
Sure it's got a swimming pool, but barely any free weights. I don't understand what their price entails... the view?!
3 months ago
Ze Luis
Very well run gym with a large variety of new equiptment
Never a wait to use and they have a pool as well. Locker rooms are always being cleaned and juice bar has every shake and you could want for a inexpensive monthly fee. Definitely one of the better gyms to get in shape and feel motivated!
1 week ago
theofilos katsipanos
Well, the two stars are due to the poor facilities at this gym considering the amount of premium we all pay for “higher quality”... also it is extremely disappointing the fact that such a big company does not do anything to encourage customers to bring their own plastic bags... the cotton buds are the ones made of plastic... not recycling bins in the gym... people use as many towels as they wish to... I can see zero care for the environment... Nowadays that’s completely unacceptable and irresponsible from VIrgin Actives side....
8 months ago
Anand kumar
This club has gone down hill. The spa area needs a lot of work and so do the changing rooms. For the high fees they charge this should Never be case ever!
2 months ago
Anna Srch
Have been a member of this gym for over 7 years and have seen a gradual and dramatic decline, to the point I’m now actively looking at leaving.
Firstly, the price. Vastly overpriced given the state of the equipment. They’ve also recently decided to do away with more than half of the running machines, the most popular piece of equipment, meaning you always have to wait (even off peak) to be able to do a run. The cardio room has now half of the cardio equipment it used to have. Yet they put prices up.
Add to this damaged and faulty equipment. I have complained twice about faulty chest press equipment, so dangerous it could cause injury. Turns out other members I spoke to also complained about it, but 3 weeks later (!) it was still faulty. In fact, when I originally flagged it up, I was told there was not a problem, and it was brushed under the carpet.
Secondly, there are so many personal trainers, who, I’d not hassling you constantly to drum up business suggesting you take up their sessions, they’re hogging equipment making it impossible to get in with your own workout.
Thirdly, the opening hours. In the last year they have started closing earlier and earlier. Now on a Friday they close at 9pm, however, they tell you to stop working out and kick you out at 8.45pm! A year ago you could work out until 9.30pm. Closing time throughout the week is also earlier. So they’re now charging more money for 45 minutes less time to work out (that’s the length of a workout and the only time most of us can work out). But they didn’t inform us of this change. Ever.
The staff. Bored, and rude. Never say hello or greet you, always a forced “bye” when you leave (because they’ve been told to) and when you ask a question or to speak to the manager about a problem, certain receptionists ACTUALLY roll their eyes. And then argue with you. Seriously. I mean, what the actual? I’m paying a fortune to argue with some muscle Mary receptionist because he rolls his eyes when I ask a question?!
The gym is overcrowded at peak times. The new equipment installed was a big big mistake...no one uses it, and the equipment that IS in demand, such as running machines, has been taken away! The set up of the gym floors is terrible, with resistance equipment physically bashing against other equipment as it's so close. Benches in freeweights area are cheap and uncomfortable, and frequently broken leaving only 3 usable, for an entire gym.
Virgin Active Canary Wharf need to take a long hard look at themselves. In the world of cheaper 24 hour gyms with better equipment, friendlier, more helpful staff, they are on a slippery slope. If you’re looking to join, don’t. Really don’t. I’m just about to cancel after 7 years. It really has got that bad....
3 months ago
