Virgin Active and their idiotic "Vision"

Ever asked a VA manager why there isnt enough space or equipment for Bodybuilding?

Aparently they promote a healthy "lifestyle" and that noone is interested in bodybuilding anymore.

What a load of crap. Where are all the people? At the BB area!

Every girl looking at these finess athletes and wanting to look like them will soon realize that the only way is to train like a BB!

So also the school boy wanting some arms or a chest. There is no oter way than the BB route!

When are these Virgin Active corporate fatso's(Have you ever seen admin training?) going to realize they are going into the wrong direction!?!??!?!

Bodybuilding equipment takes up space.

Space for bikes, treadmills , stepping machines.

They trying to fit as many people into one space as possible for more money..Thats all

Heard it before.

tell me what other gyms do you feel is going this way? I know that all the planet fitness have ample space for weights, etc...

I think its just Virgin Active.

I am so sure it has something to do with the Discovery medical aid as well.

When they revamped the VA I train at, they were going to take away the 55kg + dumbells because of the same story but somehow the old dumbells remaind

There is a lot of wear and tear on the BB equipment, it's all about the MONEY!!!

VA are looking for people who pay their monthly subs and never pitch at the gym, us guys are seen as bad customers as we cost them money.

true, because then they can cram more sales and have less people coming so in essence you keep punting membership.

i train at planet fitness platinum now thats a nice gym... in peak time a handful of people i have never waited for a machine in my life... when i signed up they said they will bring out a spare machine if you ever have to wait... lol, not how true that is but that was their sales pitch....

@ Extreme

Sounds like VA Constantia.

They still got their +55 weight there. But the knurl (grip) needs to be redone.

The one and only reason I train at VA is because its close to my house. I'm seriously thinking of moving to Planet fitness. Its a much smaller gym but they have a majorly nice BB section with plenty Hammer strength machines and plenty free weights.

jackrabbit1 wrote:

Every girl looking at these finess athletes and wanting to look like them will soon realize that the only way is to train like a BB!

I agree with this, the only way to train is to train like a BB. I continually watch girls push these pussy weights and I think what is that actually doing, and they're so lazy when they go about it as though they dont want to be in the gym so then why go.

So if 90% of VA staff dont train, how the hell do they know what is needed?

They cant even figure how to set the aircon - always freezing in winter and doesnt work in summer.
Play dreadfull music with cd's skipping etc.

They get some expert from Technogym that tells them the latest peck-decks are the shit when in fact they ARE SHITE! Never believe the guys training - what do they know, right????

Beesting wrote:

jackrabbit1 wrote:

Every girl looking at these finess athletes and wanting to look like them will soon realize that the only way is to train like a BB!

I agree with this, the only way to train is to train like a BB. I continually watch girls push these pussy weights and I think what is that actually doing, and they're so lazy when they go about it as though they dont want to be in the gym so then why go.

i dont train at va, worked there some years ago, but i did not know VIRGIN active have weights these days that looks like a PUSSY... :ohmy: :haha

They don't

They left the heavier weights at certain VA to accommodate BB.

So they not taking all the weights out as I see it. Simply accomodation more for people trying to get fit
and new to the whole Health thing.

I think they are trying to build more compact gyms but at the same time , they try to make use of every mm of floor space.

In JHB , heavy weight are at Constantia and I think maybe Cresta . Seen some guys that do comps train there.

The latest addition at ParkView PTA East has PLENTY open floor space. There is even a 2m walkway eather side of a row of stationary bikes!
(Well.... on the main side even more!)
Freakin nice looking gym, but i just cannot see them making money in that HUGE mall?!?
Most people will see the weight section and opt for Menlyn which still has Hammer Strength etc.

I prefered the old Zest equipment the new Technogym machines are very fragile. The plastic that covers the weights is already missing on some machines.
And whoever designed that Leg Press machine has never gymed in his/her life or they've never done calfs on the Leg Press machine.
But at least they replaced all the flat loose benches with benches that can either be flat or incline, it was a nightmare before.

I train at the crack of dawn, the sun is still sleeping and every now and then I have to wait for a machine and summer is coming so the next few months will see a few more thousand people joining the gyms.

At 'my' VA there is one staff member that is so fat and every now and then he decides to do the spinning class, after that sight I go for theropy. VA should make all their staff train!!!

like I said sign up at planet fitness platninum, in peak time 5/6 I have never waited for a machine once! there are maybe 5 people taining in the weights section... its by invitation only 'supposdly' and they will only allow 5k members in the gym as apposed to 20k+ in other gyms, its freakin awsome... I train there sometimes and only reason I signed up and payed the huge cash upfront is because at least if I feel like being at a gym its quite...

thanks

yup, cresta still has heavy weights.. bottomline is that VA's are trying to eliminate the bodybuilding!!! Went to train at the Brightwater commons VA and had to walk out, i think the heaviest dumbell is 45 or 50kg's..max! and the dumbells are like this weird plastic crap

Happyraven wrote:

yup, cresta still has heavy weights.. bottomline is that VA's are trying to eliminate the bodybuilding!!! Went to train at the Brightwater commons VA and had to walk out, i think the heaviest dumbell is 45 or 50kg's..max! and the dumbells are like this weird plastic crap

Wonderpark VA Pta still has quite a large BB area and dumbells up to 65kg - not that I will ever need them.

I just think VA is crap all round, they are really expensive and as everyone knows the weight section sucks. Body Conscious is the best and they have dumbbells up too 120kg's and they are half the price p.m as VA. Just my 2c.

120kg dumbells...holy smokes, what Gorilla uses those???

missiondh wrote:

I just think VA is crap all round, they are really expensive and as everyone knows the weight section sucks. Body Conscious is the best and they have dumbbells up too 120kg's and they are half the price p.m as VA. Just my 2c.

Sure, I agree with everything you say about VA, but like so many guys on this website I am with Discovery Vitality and live very close to the VA thus making it worth it to train there.

there was also something in the states as well bout some fitness chains not even wanting any bbder to train at any of there gyms.

one must open a true harcore bbding franchise here in sa, something like temple, or powerhouse, then no pussy will train there, only hardcore athlethes like us!!! he he.

Thats cool, I'm also now on Discovery but unfortunately where I live now there is no VA. Thats why I train at home, cause the gym's here are really expensive.

jo1 wrote:

there was also something in the states as well bout some fitness chains not even wanting any bbder to train at any of there gyms.

one must open a true harcore bbding franchise here in sa, something like temple, or powerhouse, then no pussy will train there, only hardcore athlethes like us!!! he he.

Jeah!!! thats what I want.... In the UK I used to train at Muscle Works.... Man....... you wana get size you train there.... no girls allowed not even a foot in the door, my girlfriend was never allowed inside...

I grew in that place... have some russian guys doing lights out back spread at the age of 23.... guys at that gym had size, and just bodybuilding pics over the walls... that gym drove you to grow... hmmmmmmmmmmm, miss it!

Planet Fitness (in the US) is not geared towards bodybuilders or power lifters. The "Judgement Free Zone" marketing slogan refers to the belief that members should not be judged by others because of their skill level or routines.

Rules

An alarm (referred to as the "lunk alarm") is set off when individuals drop weights or "grunt" when lifting.

The banning of grunting, swearing and psyching-up rituals.

No cell phone use on the gym floor.

The banning of excessive noise from bar drops etc. e.g. Olympic lifts.

The restriction of dumbbell weights to a maximum of 80 pounds

The banning of chalk, often used for heavy lifts such as deadlifts.

No jeans, bandannas, do rags or skullcaps.

Must wipe down equipment after each use.

No gawking at women and making them feel uncomfortable or trying to pick them up.

Short or revealing attire for men or women is banned.

References to sexual orientation or any other offensive conversation is prohibited.

No lewd acts or public affection on the premises.