Virgin Active - problem with using other gyms

Rachel_J_2

I have been a member with VA since October 2007 on a flexible membership which I understood to allow me to use any gym in the VA network and to have the ability to put the membership on hold. I currently pay £69 per month. My home gym is NW1. The following June, my company moved offices so I no longer use the "home gym" which doesn't have a pool.

When I joined, I specifically asked whether I could use other gyms and gave the scenario of working on client site somewhere else for a prolonged period of time - 6 months - and was told I could use any of the VA gyms (no limits nor no explanation on the difference between the various gyms)

I have not used my home gym for over 2 years (office/home move means its across London) - there has never been an issue until today.

I received a call from someone at Virgin who stated I had been abusing my membership as I was using another gym in a higher band. I stated I had not known about different bands of gyms and had stated (partly due to the nature of my job) that I could be sent to work somewhere else for 6 months and wanted to be able to access the VA network which I had been assured was possible. Apparently I would have been able to for 4 times per month but no more.

I pointed out I had been mis-sold a contract and then got the response that she had worked there forever and therefore I was in the wrong. Apparently I should have looked up on the website which gyms I was able to use - I pointed out the only sections I looked up were opening times and class timetables.

I then said I would be happy to move to the gym I currently use the most if the terms and conditions including fees remained the same; she came back with it would now cost £95 per month instead of £69 which I can't afford and also don't quite see why I should pay.
She then checked to see whether I could get corporate rates but I can't as company doesn't belong. She then seemed to suggest that I just continue but make sure I use different gyms as opposed to only one. Obviously Virgin is trying to get members to rejoin and pay more as at the moment, they can't increase my membership.

Any ideas how to haggle/ handle this? Anybody managed to get a transfer at their current rate?

Savvy_Sue

If there is a more convenient gym near where you work / live, I'd consider giving notice at VA and signing up with the other chain. reading their small print first, of course, to make sure you'd be able to use other gyms in their network if you were moved again ...

Alternatively, find the small print you were given four years ago, and peruse that!

jenniewb

I know VA have "classic" clubs and then normal clubs, the classic clubs are more expensive and when I looked at them last year I was quoted £90 a month so it sounds like you have been using a classic and not a basic VA. I had this heavily explained to me when I went to a classic gym "only classic members can use these gyms" and when I visited a basic club (which sounds like the NW1 type club you were based at). The classic clubs tend to have more luxury items such as Molton Brown shower gel/moisturiser and hair straighteners. (The basic clubs have normal shower gel!). This was the only difference I noticed on my visit- am sure there are more, I just didn't spot them or they didn't apply to me.

I would see if you can spot it in your contract: the fact they were so heavily into explaining all that to me maybe points to them not having done so in the past and maybe you were caught out, maybe its not stated in your contract paperwork.

I'd also suggest calling up their head office and speaking to someone- not at the club but higher then. Explain that you weren't told the difference in the clubs and had no reason to believe you were doing anything wrong, that this news has meant you are now reconsidering your membership and see what they say. Thats what I'd do anyway!

chuckley

if u use another gym more than ur home one, they force u to transfer to them with whatever price they are.

they drummed this into me b4 i joined.