Many students in South Africa want to stay fit without spending too much money. They often ask if popular gyms like Virgin Active have special deals for them.
The short answer is yes, Virgin Active does offer discounts for students through their youth membership plans. These are made for young people, including high school and university students.
Today, we will be covering everything about Virgin Active student discounts, the membership deals, how to snag those reduced rates, and smart ways to keep your gym costs low while staying fit.
Virgin Active in South Africa
Virgin Active is a chain of fitness clubs across South Africa. They have more than 130 gyms in cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, and even smaller places like Mbombela.
These gyms offer all kinds of equipment for strength training, cardio workouts, and group classes. You can swim in pools, relax in saunas, or join fun sessions like yoga or spinning.
The company started as part of the Virgin Group, which is famous for airlines and music. In South Africa, Virgin Active focuses on making exercise fun and easy for everyone. They have special areas for kids and teens too.
For young adults, they know that staying healthy is important during school or university years. That’s why they have plans that fit different ages and budgets.
If you’re a student, you might worry about high costs. Regular gym fees can be expensive, but Virgin Active tries to help with options for youth. Their gyms are clean, modern, and full of helpful staff. Many locations have extra perks like free WiFi or co-working spaces in premium clubs.
Membership Options at Virgin Active
Virgin Active has several types of memberships to choose from. This makes it easier for people to find what suits them. Let’s go over the main ones.
First, there’s the Club Membership. This lets you go to one specific gym. You can pick full access or off-peak times, which means going when it’s less busy.
Off-peak is cheaper, around R720 per month in some areas. Full access might cost R910 or more, depending on where you live. There’s often a joining fee, like R399, but sometimes they have specials to waive it.
Next is the Premier Membership. This is great if you travel a lot. It gives access to all standard Virgin Active clubs in South Africa and even overseas. You get to use over 130 locations without extra charges.
The price is higher than Club, but it’s worth it for flexibility. There’s also a Premier Select option for fewer clubs to save money.
For those who want luxury, the Collection Membership is top-tier. These are fancy gyms in big cities like Johannesburg’s Melrose Arch or Cape Town.
They have things like ice baths, Reformer Pilates, and boardrooms. The cost is high, around R3400 per month. Not many people choose this, especially students.
Then there’s the Red Club Membership. These are smaller, budget-friendly gyms with basic but high-tech setup. You get fast WiFi, lockers, and a quick circuit workout area. Prices are lower than standard clubs.
Family plans are another choice. They include options for parents and kids. This ties into youth deals, which we’ll talk about next.
All these plans come with classes, personal trainers if you want, and amenities like showers and steam rooms.
Do They Offer Student Discounts?
Yes, Virgin Active in South Africa does offer student discounts. They call it the Youth Premier Membership. This plan is made for young people aged 14 to 23. It’s perfect for high school teens, university learners, or young adults just starting out.
Under this youth plan, you get the same access as a regular Premier member. That means you can visit any standard Virgin Active gym in the country and abroad, except the fancy Collection ones. You enjoy pools, classes, saunas, and more.
The big plus is the lower price. For ages 14 to 17, it’s about R450 per month.
For 18 to 23, it’s around R950 per month. These rates are much less than what adults pay for the same access. Regular Premier can be over R1000 or more, so this is a real saving.
To qualify, you usually need to show proof of age. For students, they might ask for a school ID or a university card. It’s not just for full-time students; young people in that age group can join. But many use it while studying because it fits tight budgets.
In family memberships, youth options are included too, so if your parents are members, you might get an even better deal.
How to Sign Up for the Student Discount
First, visit their website, or go to a gym near you. They’ll ask for your name, email, and phone.
Choose the Youth Premier plan. Tell them your age and show ID like a birth certificate or student card. Sometimes they have no upfront fees for teens. You might get a free swim check too.
Payments are monthly, and you can cancel with notice. They often have promotions, like saving up to 75% on joining fees or free months. Watch for summer specials or back-to-school deals.
If you’re under 18, a parent might need to sign. But from 14, teens can use the whole gym. It’s a great way to start building healthy habits early.
Other Ways to Get Discounts as a Student
Besides the youth plan, there are more ways to save on Virgin Active fees if you’re a student in South Africa.
One popular option is through Varsity Vibe. This is a student discount app for South Africans. They partner with Virgin Active for extra deals. For example, you can get discounts on memberships or special offers.
Get their app, sign up with your student email, and look for Virgin Active promotions.
Universities often team up with Virgin Active. For instance, Eduvos offers exclusive gym discounts to their students and alumni, like 20% off memberships and reduced joining fees.
If you have medical aid like Discovery Vitality, you can save big. They give up to 75% back on local club fees if you go to the gym 36 times a year.
For Premier plans, it’s a flat 50% off. You pay an activation fee first, but then discounts kick in. Students with family medical aid can use this. Momentum Multiply offers up to 40% off with no activation fee.
Comparing Prices and Benefits
Let’s see how student discounts compare to regular ones. A normal Club Membership might cost R910 monthly. But as a youth, you pay R450 or R950 for better access. That’s a saving of hundreds of rands each month.
With Discovery, a student could pay effectively less if they meet visit requirements, potentially as low as 25% of the fee. Add university partnerships like 20% off, and it’s even cheaper.
Benefits include better health, more energy for studies, and social time. Gyms help with mental wellness, too. For young people, it’s a smart investment.
Are There Alternatives If Virgin Active Doesn’t Fit?
If Virgin Active’s student deals don’t work for you, there are other gyms. Planet Fitness has youth plans. Zone Fitness is cheaper overall. Some universities have free or low-cost campus gyms.
Community centers offer free classes sometimes. Apps like ClassPass give trial deals. But Virgin Active stands out for its many locations and quality.
Summary of Student Discounts at Virgin Active
In summary, yes, Virgin Active offers student discounts in South Africa through their Youth Premier Membership. It’s for ages 14 to 23, with rates starting at R450 per month. You get full gym access at a lower price.
Plus, apps like Varsity Vibe and partnerships with schools add more savings.
Staying fit as a student is key to success. Virgin Active makes it possible without breaking the bank. Visit their site or a club today to start.
