Virgin Active transitioning to royalty-free music 1st April without membership consultation

mr_asbestos

Virgin Active are switching from licensed music to a royalty free music provider on 1st April.

This change has not been communicated formally to members, and I only found out about it yesterday from an unhappy instructor!

The decision prioritises cost cutting over member and instructor experience, and delivers no reduction in membership fee.

I attend 3x cycle classes a week, and the music choices strongly correlates to the enjoyment of a class.

Instructors spend hours creating playlists, and now they need to build new lists using unfamiliar music.

I'm out of contract so cancelled my membership in protest.

How do you feel about this change?

What are your thoughts on others in contract ending their membership early?

1. Reasons for ending your membership early
   "We significantly reduce the opening hours or range of facilities of your home club on a permanent basis or otherwise act or make any change which significantly reduces the benefits of your membership."

There's also a petition if anyone feels like signing it.

MorningcoffeeIV

That seems the smallest of small deals.

jon81uk

I used to use an app for online audio workouts, I loved it when the trainer said "go all out when the beat drops" or similar. Then the app got into trouble and pulled all workouts with certain artists (I assume they never got the license properly) and replaced a lot with generic music which was never the same. I quit and use Apple Fitness+ now. So I understand exactly what you mean, it makes a big difference for classes.

mr_asbestos

MorningcoffeeIV said:

That seems the smallest of small deals.

Perhaps on the gym floor where people may use headphones, but disagree for group classes.

There also used to be themed classes like 80s, 90s, Guilty Pleasures that were well attended and used songs that people knew. These royalty-free songs suck big time.

mr_asbestos

jon81uk said:

I used to use an app for online audio workouts, I loved it when the trainer said "go all out when the beat drops" or similar. Then the app got into trouble and pulled all workouts with certain artists (I assume they never got the license properly) and replaced a lot with generic music which was never the same. I quit and use Apple Fitness+ now. So I understand exactly what you mean, it makes a big difference for classes.

That's good to know about Apple Fitness+ thanks! My friend showed me a couple of classes from his Peloton subscription which also use licensed music, and they seemed good.

I listened to a couple of trial songs from Virgin's new provider (https://www.epidemicsound.com/) and was largely unimpressed.

Altocumulus9

Many members I have spoken to feel this decision will have a detrimental effect on their gym experience, especially in classes such as dance, spin and aqua. The new music is mediocre and classes are flatter and lacking energy as a result. Quality, recognisable music has been proven to be a key motivator in exercise, increasing work rate and making it an enjoyable experience that people will the sustain.

Virgin asks members for feedback after every visit, yet so many members feel that their opinions are not listened to. Good music costs money in order to recognise the work of the artists. Virgin is not a budget gym so members expect a quality experience when they visit.

mr_asbestos

Virgin Active emailed me today to say that “we are changing the way we charge for our memberships”.

This change would move me from my original subscription where the 12 month commitment has ended, to a new monthly subscription that’s £20/month higher than my existing one.

I can keep my existing rate if I commit to a new 12 month contract, plus they’ll throw in two months free, and add £100 gym credit to my account.

The catch? Sign up before 1st April - exactly when the uncommunicated switch to royalty free music will happen!

This “deal” is irrelevant to me as I put my cancellation request in a few days ago, BUT it feels like a very sneaky way to lock in those who are out of contract and don’t know about the change.

Altocumulus9

I too am well out of my original 12 month commitment. I have just confirmed with Virgin Active head office that if I don’t recommit to a 12 month contract before 1st April my membership will increase by £39 a month. An increase of a massive 43%. 

Since the change to the music has not been officially announced, I can only assume the plan is to lock all existing members in to a new 12 month contract by threatening them with large financial penalties, before  significantly downgrading the service.

Altocumulus9

If anyone is interested in their stance, when I questioned VA on this they said “You are within your rights to leave” 

RandB2022

I am so glad I have found this thread. Received an email tonight about the membership price rise and signing up for a new twelve month contract before these changes. 

I go to Cycle class and they class is completely dependent on the music, it's going to be awful. I've signed up for a free trial for the music platform - it is just Muzak, no covers of popular tracks like Les Mills do. 

I think this is just really deceptive to do this - and music changes have not been announced formally, only via the grapevine and instructors who have shared. 

GaryRVN

So it’s happened the whole spin class is flat even the best instructors have done their best and the music is so poor. People work for the music, it is exercise to music and not what you pay a premium Gym for. Luckily our gym has kept body pump as they offer a royalty free playlist. My partner is now trapped with a new 12 month plans I’m on vitality so if pump goes I’m off. So disappointed not good for the virgin brand