Stop turning our gyms into collection clubs
The Issue
It was a wake-up call when I realised the very spaces where we used to exercise, connect, and unwind had altered dramatically. Within just a year, two of Virgin Active's major gyms in Cape Town’s City Bowl, once open to all their Premier members, have been transformed into exclusive Collection clubs. Wembley Square is the latest to change, and now, there's only one traditional club left to serve the entire City Bowl area.
For us, the loyal and long-standing members who have been paying premium membership fees, this transformation feels like a devastating loss. Less choice for our fitness needs is a bitter pill to swallow. We joined for the exceptional facilities and flexible access, where we weren’t restricted to time slots or facing overcrowded spaces.
According to a recent market analysis, gym memberships skyrocketed in the post-pandemic phase, with people looking for comprehensive wellness solutions within their communities. Virgin Active promised us convenience and accessibility, but turning clubs into Collection clubs limits both. Instead of simplifying access for members, they’ve created divisions that push people away from achieving their health goals.
We need a more inclusive approach where all members, regardless of the tier they belong to, have equal access to their local gyms without being barricaded by Collection status. A survey by Statistics South Africa in 2022 showed that communal activities like gymming play a significant role in mental and physical wellbeing. Restricting our options compounds stress, ultimately working against what a gym should stand for—a place for everyone to enhance their fitness journey, not a barrier.
Virgin Active management must reassess their strategy to better accommodate their core members. **We propose:**
1. Restoring at least one more Virgin Active gym in the City Bowl area to a traditional Premier club.
2. Offering grandfathered Premier access to long-term members affected by these changes.
3. Increasing transparency and communication about changes in membership structures.
Our community deserves manageable and accessible fitness options that honor our commitments and investment. By signing this petition, you help us urge Virgin Active to rethink their approach—allowing our local gyms to serve us all, just as promised. Sign the petition to return our gyms back to the members who built them!
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The Issue
It was a wake-up call when I realised the very spaces where we used to exercise, connect, and unwind had altered dramatically. Within just a year, two of Virgin Active's major gyms in Cape Town’s City Bowl, once open to all their Premier members, have been transformed into exclusive Collection clubs. Wembley Square is the latest to change, and now, there's only one traditional club left to serve the entire City Bowl area.
For us, the loyal and long-standing members who have been paying premium membership fees, this transformation feels like a devastating loss. Less choice for our fitness needs is a bitter pill to swallow. We joined for the exceptional facilities and flexible access, where we weren’t restricted to time slots or facing overcrowded spaces.
According to a recent market analysis, gym memberships skyrocketed in the post-pandemic phase, with people looking for comprehensive wellness solutions within their communities. Virgin Active promised us convenience and accessibility, but turning clubs into Collection clubs limits both. Instead of simplifying access for members, they’ve created divisions that push people away from achieving their health goals.
We need a more inclusive approach where all members, regardless of the tier they belong to, have equal access to their local gyms without being barricaded by Collection status. A survey by Statistics South Africa in 2022 showed that communal activities like gymming play a significant role in mental and physical wellbeing. Restricting our options compounds stress, ultimately working against what a gym should stand for—a place for everyone to enhance their fitness journey, not a barrier.
Virgin Active management must reassess their strategy to better accommodate their core members. **We propose:**
1. Restoring at least one more Virgin Active gym in the City Bowl area to a traditional Premier club.
2. Offering grandfathered Premier access to long-term members affected by these changes.
3. Increasing transparency and communication about changes in membership structures.
Our community deserves manageable and accessible fitness options that honor our commitments and investment. By signing this petition, you help us urge Virgin Active to rethink their approach—allowing our local gyms to serve us all, just as promised. Sign the petition to return our gyms back to the members who built them!
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Petition created on 21 August 2026