If you have a Virgin Active membership in South Africa, you probably want to know if you can use any Virgin Active gym in the country or when you travel abroad.
The answer isn’t a simple yes or no; it depends on the type of membership you have. Let me explain it in a way that’s easy to understand.
How Virgin Active Memberships Work
Virgin Active South Africa offers a variety of membership types, each designed to fit different needs and budgets.
Can You Access Any Virgin Active Gym With Your Membership?
Single club memberships restrict you to one location. Premier memberships give access to most clubs except Collection locations, and Collection memberships provide full access to all clubs, including premium locations locally and internationally.
The main ones for adults are single club memberships, Premier memberships, and Collection memberships. There are also special options for kids or promotional deals, but we’ll focus on the adult plans here. Each membership type comes with its own rules about which gyms you can access, so let’s break them down.
| Membership Type | Estimated Monthly Cost (R) | Access Details |
|---|---|---|
| Single Club (Standard) | 520–910 | Access to one specific gym |
| Single Club (Red Club) | ~300 | Access to one Red Club (limited facilities) |
| Premier Membership | 720–1440 | Access to most clubs, excluding Collection clubs |
| Collection Membership | ~3400 | Access to all clubs, including Collection clubs |
Single Club Membership
A single club membership is the most basic option. With this, you’re tied to the specific Virgin Active gym where you signed up.
For example, if you joined Virgin Active in Cape Town, that’s the only gym you can use. It’s perfect if you live near one gym and don’t plan to travel much. Prices for this type can vary depending on the location, say, around R520 to R640 per month for a 12- or 24-month contract at a place like N1 City.
There’s also a budget-friendly version called a Red Club membership, which is offered at certain Virgin Active Red locations. These gyms are simpler, with no frills like pools or courts, and might cost around R300 per month at a place like Tableview. But again, you’re limited to that specific Red Club.
Premier Membership
The Premier membership gives you more flexibility. This plan likely gives you access to most Virgin Active clubs across South Africa, as well as some gyms in other countries where Virgin Active operates, like the UK, Australia, or Singapore.
For example, a Premier membership at Claremont might cost around R720 for a two-year contract or R1440 for a one-year contract that includes nationwide access, except for premium clubs.
However, there’s a limit: you probably can’t use the premium Collection clubs. These are the high-end gyms with extra amenities like heated lap pools, saunas, steam rooms, or even co-working spaces.
A Premier membership lets you use many different Virgin Active gyms, but it doesn’t include the top-tier locations.
Collection Membership
The Collection membership is the top option for complete access. With this, you can likely access any Virgin Active gym, including the premium Collection clubs, both in South Africa and internationally.
Collection clubs are special because they offer a full range of high-end facilities, like reformer Pilates studios, ice baths, and even boardrooms for meetings.
For example, a Collection membership at Melrose Arch might cost around R3400 per month, but it comes with perks like a heated pool and nutrition benefits.
This membership works well if you travel often or live near one of the five Collection clubs in South Africa, located in cities like Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town. You can also access Virgin Active gyms in other countries, such as Italy, Thailand, or the UK, without restrictions.
How Location Matters
Not all Virgin Active gyms are the same. Most clubs are standard gyms with great equipment and classes, but the Collection clubs are a cut above.
These premium locations have unique features that make them stand out, like advanced fitness studios or spa-like amenities. If your membership doesn’t include access to Collection clubs, you won’t be able to use them, even if they’re nearby.
Virgin Active has 136 clubs across South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, with locations in major cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria, Durban, East London, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, and Mbombela Virgin Active South Africa.
With a multi-club access membership, you can pick from tons of different locations wherever you happen to be.
Upgrading Your Membership for More Access
Single club members who need access to other Virgin Active locations can upgrade to a Premier or Collection membership. Upgrading to a Premier membership will likely give you nationwide gym access (except for Collection clubs), which is great if you travel within South Africa or to countries with Virgin Active clubs.
If you want the full experience, including premium club access, a Collection membership is your best bet, though it comes with a higher price tag.
Before upgrading, check the costs and benefits. For example, a Premier membership might save you money compared to a Collection membership if you don’t need access to those premium clubs.
You can contact Virgin Active’s customer support or visit their website to explore more options.
International Access for Travelers
When you travel outside South Africa, your membership type determines access to Virgin Active gyms abroad. Both Premier and Collection memberships offer international access, but with differences:
- Premier Membership: You can probably use Virgin Active clubs in countries like Africa, Italy, Australia, the UK, Thailand, and Singapore, but not their Collection clubs.
- Collection Membership: You get access to all Virgin Active clubs worldwide, including the premium Collection clubs.
How to Check Your Gym Access
To avoid showing up at a gym you can’t use, it’s a good idea to check your membership details first.
The Virgin Active app is a great tool for this. You can log in to see your membership type, book classes, track workouts, and likely find out which gyms you can access. The app also offers features like Virgin Active Rewards, where you can earn perks for hitting fitness goals
If you prefer talking to someone, you can visit your home gym and ask the staff, or reach out to Virgin Active’s customer support. They can confirm if your membership includes multi-club access or premium club access.
Guest Passes and Other Options
If you’re not a member but want to try out a Virgin Active gym, you can request a guest pass. These passes let you visit a gym for free, but you’ll need to arrange it in advance and provide some details like ID and a recent photo.
Guest passes are a great way to check out a gym before committing to a membership.
Virgin Active also partners with programs like Discovery Vitality and Momentum Multiply, which can offer discounts on membership fees.
For example, Discovery Vitality members might get up to 75% off local club memberships if they visit the gym 36 times in a 12-month period, or a flat 50% off Premier or Collection memberships.
A Final Note
Your Virgin Active membership type controls which gyms you can access in South Africa. Single club memberships limit you to one gym. Premier memberships open up most clubs (except Collection clubs), and Collection memberships give you full access, including premium clubs locally and abroad.
Stay fit and have fun at the gym!
