Virgin Active

Fantastic experience: I am giving five stars for the amazing crew, and specifically for being lucky to train with Nat - I have made a great progress, enjoy every session with him and always looking forward to the next one. Thank you!

Fantastic experience: I recently joined Virgin Active Gym in Chelmsford, and I couldn't be happier with my experience! From the moment I walked in, the desk staff were incredibly helpful and welcoming. They took the time to answer all my questions and made me feel right at home. The gym itself is massive and impeccably clean, which is a huge plus for me. There’s a fantastic variety of equipment, so I never have to wait to get my workout in. The spacious layout allows for a comfortable workout experience, and the facilities are top-notch. What truly stands out is the excellent customer service. The staff are always available to assist and provide guidance, making it easy to stay motivated and on track with my fitness goals. Overall, I highly recommend Virgin Active Gym Chelmsford to anyone looking for a supportive and well-equipped fitness environment. It’s a five-star experience all around!

Negative experience: Good gym, new cafe is very nice however prices extortionate. £9 for a large smoothie with protein. Won’t be buying anything until they price things reasonably

Fantastic experience: SICK, AMAZING, Couldn't ask for better

Fantastic experience: Great Gym. Nice atmosphere with plenty of equipment and good personal trainers. Loads of inspirational classes too. Management are happy and encouraging. Reception staff helpful and friendly. Enjoy going here regularly.

Fantastic experience: I really like this gym, it's always clean, it smells nice, people who work are respected, the machines are ok, the saunas and the pool always have crystal clear and clean water. I recommend this gym!

Negative experience: Misinformed me about the date of freezing membership and then tried to charge £60 to me for a month where I didn’t use the gym as it was frozen.

Fantastic experience: Great club with a team spirit ethos Well organised with great facilities and super helpful and friendly staff With a good club app and vibe Only wish I have would be for more evening spin classes but that aside I thoroughly recommend the club for anyone looking to achieve their fitness and wellness goals

Fantastic experience: Great saff was very helpful and friendly could not ask for a better place.

Fantastic experience: This centre has a great gym together with some great fitness classes! The centre also has a pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. We found all the staff we encountered polite and very friendly. We visited Chelmsford as we were in thè area with a travelling festival so needed to speak with the management team who we found to be extremely professional and more than helpful to us! Very impressed! If you live in this area and are looking to join a local gym I would recommend speaking to Virgin Active! Again I want to say what a great service and great facilities!

Fantastic experience: Lovely place - nice staff always enough equipment and classes !

Fantastic experience: Big thumbs up to the amazing lounge team best team ever ♥️

Fantastic experience: So far brilliant-but they have been careful about conditions made sure I’m prepped for a walk round by giving a detailed description answer and been 100 times better than any virgin club I’ve been to before (always as a guest with friends) the membership team are super thorough the receptionist a delight -let’s see what happens when I go there tomorrow for the walk round Update -wow. Just absolutely wow. A lifeguard noticed while changing I was throwing up ( I say notice you can’t miss cyclic vomiting retching noises) blood I told her not to worry I’m fairly certain I know what this is -corrosive gastritis that as very irritated right now- she went and found her ops manager who both went and talked to my husband who is also my carer -this is EXACTLY the right thing to do. I am so impressed. I have a protocol so I was seen quickly by a&e and given what is on my protocol with no fuss. (Also unusual but very welcome) I rang up to let them know and the relief in the ladies voice - who wasn’t even there but knew because obviously on a shift handover such a thing will be discussed she said she would let him and the life guard know I’m fine and back home and it’s just a small patch that is particularly irritated and bleeding. Cannot praise them highly enough for the sensitivity and awareness of my needs -they have been nothing short of spectacular. They are dealing with a woman who has very complex disabilities that are a comorbidity from a genetic disorder. And for the first time in a long time I am treated as I asked. No fuss just let me get on with it-if help is needed I ask . - that was exactly what they did. So for the first time in years I felt like an average person just going to the pool. And unless you’re disabled you will never know how that feels ( and I hope that you never have to either) but it feels amazing ten stars if I could

Fantastic experience: The gym is buzzing staff are amazing! Richard Branson! Let’s have a chat about business!

Positive experience: I joined in 2011 so I could swim most mornings. It's a really good pool. Better when it's quiet but I'm not surprised that so many use it. I've been working with Sammi in the gym for a while. She is a superbly good master trainer: knowledgeable, supportive, empathetic and pushy in the best possible way - just what I need as an older, overweight and unfit woman. Definitely 5 stars for Sammi! All of the staff are welcoming, friendly and helpful. Heather does a great job of keeping the women's changing rooms clean. Chrissie always responds positively to my gripes about lack of introductory/beginners classes for people like me. Sadly, the introduction to Yoga class was held on a day I can't do. I know the rules are set by Virgin centrally but I still believe you're missing a great opportunity to bring older, newer, less fit, less experienced people into activity. A 6 week course covering Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Boxing, + +, held on two different days and times would give me and others a really useful opportunity to understand what's entailed and whether I like it.

Positive experience: Having been a yo-yo gym goer for years I have been consistently visiting for over a year now. The facilities are good, love being able to have a sauna after a workout. It can be busy, with groups of lads around one station/machine being loud but I've never had a problem with anyone. It can also take a little while to get in the car park at peak times but normally it's only a few minutes wait for a space and they can't really help the layout of the entrance/exit to the carpark. However a huge part of keeping me consistent and enjoying working out is Sammi who is incredible. She has helped me rehab my dodgy body and is a fundamental part of my progress with my relationship with my health and body. Whilst all the staff are generally great, Sammi is outstanding.

Fantastic experience: I’m lucky to have an ace PT instructor (Sammi) who drives me to achieve my maximum potential. I love the fact that every session is different and I never know what to expect.

Fantastic experience: I love virgin active Chelmsford I have been a member in the past and came back when I knew I needed to take my training seriously. I have Elloria as my PT and she is the best. She always motivates me and we never do the same workout twice. She always keeps it interesting and she is so knowledgeable my fitness has come on leaps and bounds. I highly recommend Virgin Active Chelmsford and Elloria.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been a member for years and absolutely love the facilities, classes, PTs, and the crèche and swimming lessons are all so well run too. I’ve just started nutrition sessions with PT Sammi too, who is SO knowledgeable and encouraging!

Fantastic experience: I always look forward to my time at Virgin Active Chelmsford. The group sessions I attend are well organised and there are clear instructions and guidance for the moves and activities. I feel I have had a good workout when I have finished my sessions. My PT Sammi -Leigh is amazing, she has worked with support and encouragement at all times to develop my strength, mobility and agility. She has responded very respectfully when working with my through some tough personal times recently. I would highly recommend her to others hoping to have a PT! Thank you to all at Virgin Active, Chelmsford.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been member of lots of gyms but love the vibe at virgin chelmsford. Great gym with lots of equipment and lots of great classes

Fantastic experience: Great facilities and helpful staff. Have took on Sammi as a PT who is clear on how I achieve my goals, incredibly supportive and motivating.

Fantastic experience: Great club with friendly helpful staff, a wide range of classes and lots of equipment and machines to use

Fantastic experience: I am pleased to say how pleased I am with my membership at Virgin Chelmsford having been a gym member at several other gyms in a previous location all the problems with them eg poor cleaning esp in the locker shower areas just don’t happen at Virgin. The gym is clean, spacious and has the right balance of intervention and help from personal trainers, my own one being Sammi who is doing a marvellous job getting me back into shape after a long term health issue. (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️to her). My husband and I are very pleased we joined.

Fantastic experience: I was shown around by a very helpful person called Kieran, the place looks fantastic! So many classes ranging from 6am until late which is helpful for early starts. I think I've found my new gym ❤️

Fantastic experience: Amazing club with a 5 star nursery! I can finally enjoy my maternity leave

Fantastic experience: Great team, probably the most 'modern' gym in Chelmsford. Holly and Sammi deserve special mention, incredibly knowledgeable, really giving their all to the customers to make all feel welcome and working super hard to keep a large gym running smoothly. I love that it's not a meathead gym, everyone is made to feel welcome whatever their level of fitness and comfort. Only criticisms: It's busy at peak times (often so much so that I'll regularly switch up my program to use available machines - but this keeps things interesting at least!) and as a parent, there are almost never child parking spaces available, with 2 seater sports cars parking in those spaces regularly. Would recommend!

Fantastic experience: Best gym ever! The instructors are fantastic, always welcoming and supportive. The classes are suitable for all abilities too. I joined in January and wish I would have done it sooner. I actually look forward to going to the gym.

Fantastic experience: Love it. Such a friendly atmosphere and great place to go. Love Holly Knott's classes - she is badass and always gets the best out of me even when I'm not feeling it. Wouldn't be a member without her. Chrissi Delapperall is another one who is the nicest and meanest all in one go.

Fantastic experience: I have been training with Nat at Chelmsford for about 18mnths. I had previously attended but post a replacement hip opp I had not pushed myself. Now I am much more confident, motivated and stronger. It would be good if Virgin could bottle and sell Nat Tonic!!

Fantastic experience: We are ultra distance runners and triathletes. We have our membership for easy access to the pool and general gym equipment when the weather is bad. Typically we do a number of the programmed classes for variety. Christie and Andy run excellent spin classes. Always a challenge and always great music. Tammy’s S&C class is always great on a Friday night followed straight away by Claudia’s swim training class designed to build swimming fitness. Great instructors who make the classes fun and interesting. Can’t recommend enough.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been a member here for over 10 years. I love this gym as the instructors are fantastic especially Chrissie and Andy’s spin classes and Tammy’s strength and conditioning classes. The swim training on a Friday evening is brilliant and again the instructor Claudia is amazing. I’m training for a half Ironman so spend a lot of time here. The facilities and classes really complement my outdoor training.

Fantastic experience: It’s an awesome place to work out..

Fantastic experience: Lovely gym with enthusiastic and friendly staff :) The s&c atmosphere on Saturday is incredible

Fantastic experience: I always enjoy training at Virgin it has a friendly atmosphere and has a wide range of classes that covers all abilities, I like to add classes into my training plan along with cardio and free weights. I enjoy the strength and condition classes taken by Holly Knott she pushes you hard and gets the energy high with some well planned class. The other class I enjoy is Tuesday and Thursday evening spin class taken by Andy Creswell the class is always electric and he pushes further then you thought you could go. I would definitely recommending training at Virgin and adding classes into your own training programme to boost your results.

Fantastic experience: Andy Creswell, Maxine Oxlade, Holly Knott and Chrissi Delapperall are all brilliant instructors who have made the gym more at home for us all.

Fantastic experience: Really enjoy Max and Andy's spin classes, and Holly's strength and conditioning as well as Holly's yoga on a Monday. A wider appeal to Virgin Active Head Office to bring Spotify back. The instructors are doing an amazing job with the music they've got, but their playlists are now very limited!

Fantastic experience: Ive been a member of Virgin gym for over 5 years now and love it. It’s always spotlessly clean, everyone is always friendly and helpful and the instructors really motivate you to WANT to do better. I highly recommend Andy Creswell’s spin and boxing classes!

Fantastic experience: Friendly staff, great atmosphere

Fantastic experience: Some of the best classes I have been to, Andy and Max amazing instructors and a credit to the gym! Shame about the music restrictions these days.

Fantastic experience: Think the classes provided at the gym are very good, Andy Creswell is an exception trainer and engages with his audience Rest of the gym needs a serious up grade and need to get all the kids off their phones and off the machines

Fantastic experience: I visit Chelmsford 5 days a week and do about 8 classes and weights. The staff are wonderful and so encouraging, and most of all fun. I consider many of them friends. It’s a clubs for all ages and fitness. I wouldn’t be without it. Get a day pass and I’m sure you’ll love it x

Fantastic experience: Nice gym lots off equipment and classes

Fantastic experience: Alway very good atmosphere, lovely staff great facilities and a really good environment be around :)

Fantastic experience: Love our Virgin Active. Led by the ever effervescent Chrissi supported by her wonderful team of instructors including (but not limited to as I am old and also too lazy to do all types of class!) Holly, Andy, Maxine, Chloe, Ellie,, Sarah, Tammy. Keep up the great work you fabulous bunch

Fantastic experience: A very nice gym with a great pool I use a PI to motivate me and he is a top chap - James Egan - the sessions are hard (but not crazy hard) so I feel tested but I enjoy the sessions and feel the benefits all in all a positive experience

Fantastic experience: Great club and Claudia at swim club is brilliant, really improving my technique and endurance

Fantastic experience: Very pleased with my first experience at Virgin Active Decent Equipments Staffs are friendly and very helpful

Fantastic experience: Ace sessions and very encouraging. Claudia has defo helped me improve my swimming, thank you!!

Fantastic experience: Love this club the staff are extremely friendly and helpful, great facilities and inclusive environment. Would highly recommend this place

Fantastic experience: Friendly and supportive staff across all areas of the team. Instructors are all experienced and will always offer guidance on techniques to ensure that you are performing the skills correctly. Wide variety of classes offered plus a well equipped gym. If PT is what you’re looking then I’d highly recommended coming in to chat to any one. I wouldn’t look anywhere else . The management are high profile and very approachable plus they all lead by example teaching a number of classes themselves. Love the friendly and supportive environment VA Chelmsford has to offer. VA have recently introduced Spin challenges. We had one on Tuesday led by the awesome Andy Creswell. So many of us achieved PB’s to max our power output. I’m not that competitive but I’ve got bench marks set ready for the next spin challenge. The instructors are all incredible but I must also mention Maxine , Tammy, Holly, Chrissi and Zoe because I attend their classes and they’re all wonderful too.

Fantastic experience: I love being a member of Virgin Active in Chelmsford. I joined in 2014, left for a period and went to other gyms in the area but did not feel as motivated or as comfortable as I do at Virgin. Chrissie - the General Manager - has boundless enthusiasm and clearly cares about her club, her team and her members and makes you feel so welcome and part of a community. Holly - a Senior Manager - is just brilliant and encourages, inspires and motivates you to keep on going and reaching new goals. For me I feel part of a bigger team that helps keep me accountable and there is a real social aspect so you enjoy going to the gym and seeing people. Best gym in Chelmsford

Fantastic experience: I've been a member of Virgin Active since 2018, first at the Clearview branch and then at Chelmsford. Whilst Clearview has extra facilities like the tennis courts and an outdoor pool/ bigger spa, in my opinion Chelmsford is 100% the better club! The classes and instructors at this club are fantastic, super friendly and encouraging, and there are loads of different classes to choose from (I'd highly recommend Cycle Power, Bodypump, Strength & Conditioning!). There is also a decent amount of equipment (free weights, machines, cardio equipment etc) and the spa facilities are good too.

Fantastic experience: Training with Holly Knott at Virgin Chelmsford is fantastic. Not only do I look and feel so much better I enjoy every moment in the gym.

Fantastic experience: By far the best gym in Chelmsford! Great people, great atmosphere.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic Club !!! Always bright , fun and welcoming. Great free weights area perfect for my style of training and best of all opening times that work around my lifestyle.

Fantastic experience: Super friendly and welcoming atmoshpere!

Negative experience: Unfortunately very busy on the times I can go and classes that I would like to commit to, do not align with my schedule (more evening classes would be great). I really did enjoy the yoga classes! Customer service not the best; was encouraged to purchase PT sessions, it was so difficult to book them in that im ashamed to say, I have only ever used one (gave up after calling reception everyday trying to book in). I have now cancelled my subscription due to a massive price increase. I am not willing to commit to another 12 month contract.

Negative experience: Awful. Can't even park in the car park because no spaces!. Im sure the 20 odd staff do though. People parking in the parent and child spaces without a child, have mentioned to reception several times and they are unwilling to do anything about it. Its not hard to put out a tannoy announcement about it. I emailed the club about all of this and got no response. The manager of the club should be ashamed. The monthly fees are already high and I just got an email saying its going up to £94 a month! This gym is no way worth that, they don't spend any money on upgrading or even maintaining anything. Spend your money else where, where you will be appreciated soo much more.

Negative experience: My son had all his belongings stolen from his locker - unsafe gym with thief’s obviously watching people. Police have been informed.

Positive experience: Enjoying using the gym however, the mens changing rooms need an update, black mould in showers. Also the jacuzzi is warm rather than hot. Sometimes can feel cold jets

Positive experience: Surprisingly good facilities, comfortable seats in economy, good choice on the entertainment screen. Friendly and helpful staff.

Fantastic experience: Great gym! Clean, lots of equipment and the most friendlinest of staff! The spa was lovely the best facial I have ever had and again all the staff friendly and welcoming! Also the lady who works in the cafe, thank you soo much you really made our experience the best, so happy so helpful and made us feel very welcome

Fantastic experience: Comfy seats

Positive experience: As a gym it does the job - sad to hear they are shutting their health and beauty area!

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym with lots of facilities

Positive experience: The gym itself is fantastic. All the facilities you can dream of, a variety of classes, and great coaches. I came to Chelmsford for a few weeks so after a short tour in the gym I decided to get a one-month pass. Unfortunately, last week the gym was closed and till today I haven't gotten any answer if my membership is prolonged for those days. £79 +£20 membership fee was way too much for 3 weeks!

Fantastic experience: Really good inclusive gym with swimming and classes offered. Great app to go with it so you know how busy it is and to book classes. A great gym! Best gym in Chelmsford in my opinion.

Positive experience: This is an organised location, bringing anything for all our fitness needs, even including ‍♀️. But I'd love to see more to it, like what Riverside Leisure Centre once had.

Positive experience: Have been to virgin for a while , it's good dont get me wrong but I do find there prices over priced Men's showers stink Pool is ok but can get busy quick And the weights full off teens now with tripods I also got thrown off a rower once because a class was on.. They can do better , or they need to lower prices by 20-30%

Fantastic experience: Have so much equipment it's unreal Staff are great so friendly and helpful

Fantastic experience: Good value for money. Fairly clean. Good equipment

Fantastic experience: Posting on behalf of my Dad & his partner. They both went for a Rejuvenate treatment package today, they both thoroughly enjoyed their massages & were made to feel very welcome & relaxed. Lauren-Marie gave a fantastic massage & was lovely. Highly recommend

Fantastic experience: Virgin Active Spa day - totally wonderful. Donna in the Spa did the best massage that I have ever had. The whole experience from the gym, the pool, the coffee shop to the spa were all first class. Have booked again. Thank you Team xx

Negative experience: They never answer the phone and I was given a voucher for my birthday that I can't use because there is no way of getting in contact with the staff to book a session by phone and no email address seems to exist! It is very frustrating. I've been trying since late 2022 on and off!

Fantastic experience: Great front of house to another happy face in the cafe serving me.

Fantastic experience: Excellent Gym. Ive been a member at another high profile and very expensive gym and Virgin Active Chelmsford is just as good and excellent value for money. Great facilities, excellent management team, and great personal trainers. Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: Lovely gym and friendly staff

Fantastic experience: Fabulous place. Helpful, supportive, friendly, great classes. Not at all pretentious. Lovely swimming pool

Fantastic experience: Freindly welcoming ..all class teachers are interested in you as a person and help u work at your level. membership includes online workouts too.lovely pool jacussi and steam room too :)

Fantastic experience: Clean, friendly staff, good atmosphere to train !

Negative experience: They should pock better business partners, Not happy this time!

Positive experience: Insane busy at times. 3 times trying to get on the ONE leg extension machine, gave up in the end.

Negative experience: Getting so fed up of customer service , I have a voucher for a spa day I’ve been trying to book for weeks now , called several times as instructed to book but no one answers the phone so I get sent to voicemail . Haven’t called me back or responded to any emails and my voucher expired soon

Fantastic experience: Had spa revives day here, the treatments were excellent, very friendly and helpful staff in all areas, highly recommend in fact we are booking to go back.!

Fantastic experience: Great experience at this Virgin Active, Emma was very helpful and friendly!!

Positive experience: Great gym. Some members need to learn to put weights away and that machines are not for sitting on your phone. Could do with a little clean once in a while

Fantastic experience: Had a spa day as a present booked here (first spa day ever). Nice set up and all staff were really friendly and helpful. Even the customers were friendly and showing us around, would recommend, thank you

Fantastic experience: Great atmosphere and I love the classes. Very well equipped

Negative experience: I have a Virgin Experience voucher I am trying to use but there is no way to reach Virgin Active Chelmsford. I have been calling all day to book me and my partners spa day left a voicemail, not a single response. It says the gym is open so I'm quite upset by not being able to reach anyone as all I want is to book our Pamper day and going through all this hassle is too much. I really hope this is not a scam.

Negative experience: Black mould growing in the mens showers but it appears nothing has been done to clean it in the last year of my membership. I've been paying £69.99 / month for this, but within 3 days of one missed payment they're already threatening a £50 admin charge and 3rd party debt collection… Shocking way to treat a loyal customer. They have no interest in resolving complaints effectively, I have raised this with Frazer Hughes and Chrissi Delapperall (Chelmsford) but have so far been offered nothing but empty words and smugness, they're unwilling to compromise and seem quite happy to involve 3rd party debt collecters for a 30 day notice payment.

Negative experience: Disappointed-poor after service when there was a problem

Fantastic experience: Although the changing rooms are a bit tired, I adore this gym. I have been to many prestigious gyms, over the years. Yet, this straight to the point, efficient gym is just fab.The staff are magnificent, always attentive and helpful. The classes are good fun and the gym floor is cleverly divided.I wish they have a few more classes in the afternoon. Such a brilliant vibe.

Fantastic experience: Busy but lots of room to work out

Fantastic experience: Great staff, they make it!

Negative experience: The costumer service is literally 0 star. I called them more than 50 times and no one answer my calls

Fantastic experience: Great experience in this Virgin Active Chelmsford. Nice swimming pool, steem room and two working well jacuzzis. Even a sauna in men changing room.

Fantastic experience: I swim here once a week. the staff are extremely helpful and kind especially Lauren on reception, Reuben and Luke on poolside who make it a delightful experience. I can’t thank them enough for their support.

Fantastic experience: I love it there. Does and has everything I want. A bit gutted as have moved away from Chelmsford but would recommend this place every time and have done.

Fantastic experience: Gym, pool, jacuzzi, sauna, turk bath, coffee, showers, classes. Expensive but worth if you go regularly.