To the idiots running Virgin Active
Posted by Rich...! under Uncategorized on March 31 2007 at 6:04 PM
I take it that you guys aren’t big swimmers. I know this because if you were, you wouldn’t have sent out the ridiculous memo that all flags must be taken out of Virgin Active’s pools by last Friday.
These flags are not decoration, but are there to tell swimmers doing backstroke how far they have to go before they need to turn. This makes them safety apparatus. If you don’t believe me, just ask the guy at the VA in Randburg that split his head open yesterday, or look at the bruise on my arm where I hit the wall today.
Apparently your rationale is that you wanted more brand consistency and all clubs had different flags so you decided it best to take them away completely. If you noticed that some of your club’s staircases had different coloured handrails, would you remove them too?
Brand consistency my arse. I’m shocked that I have to explain this to you, but your brand will receive far more negative attention in the mind’s of consumers (and it’s our brand to define, not yours) if you have people repeatedly hurting themselves, than if you have different coloured flags.
Oh, and if it’s consistency you’re after, then I’ll look forward to the new fancy treadmills you’re obviously looking at delivering to Northgate. You know, the ones with the built in TV screens I saw while training in CT this week. That pilates gear is going to rock too.
C’mon lads, this is silly, put back the flags already…!
April 1st, 2007 at 12:20 am
No kidding – I had no idea that’s what they were for.
Are you telling them too, or just posting it here?
April 1st, 2007 at 12:38 am
…ummm…why not look for the flags before you commit yourself for a skull-dashing exercise in Darwinism?
April 1st, 2007 at 9:50 am
Hahha, do yopu check the brakes before you start driving? The flags have always been there. Besides, I didn’t crack my arm on the first length, it was later, long after I’d realised that there were no flags, but when you’re swimming length after length ou get into a kinda zone, that’s where I was.
Louisa, I mailed the post to the wife of the ex-MD of Virgin Active asking them to pass it on to the powers-that-be..!
April 1st, 2007 at 11:12 am
I’m glad you sent a letter off. It’s the only thing to do. I had a really bad experience with Orange.co.uk and wrote them a letter and posted the letter on my blog for others to read:
http://digitallyrefreshing.com/2007/03/05/orange-broadband-sucks/
We can be a powerful voice, let’s shout together.
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:30 am
i have dealings with the top brass if you dont get anywhere via the wife of the ex route.
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Good point you make, but you’re unlikely to get anywhere by e-mailing the wife of the ex-MD. What interest would he have in getting involved? (If you have gotten somewhere, please ignore the rest of this comment.)
You’re better off getting in touch with the PR company who handle the Virgin active account, because they have an active interest in bringing this to the company’s attention.
It certainly is a brand reputation issue, which makes it a Public Relations issue as well. So try getting in touch with Total Media, 021 448 2020, info@totalmedia.co.za, http://www.totalmedia.co.za. Happy swimming, and watch your head!
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Hey Joller,
Good point on the PR company. My contact mailed me the COO’s details and I mailed him. No reply as yet. If I hear nothing in a few days (I believe they’re overseas) I’ll mail total media. Shot for the advice…!
April 27th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
You have’nt seen idiotic yet – believe me- come to Virgin Active RUSTENBURG- Now that place is a laughing matter
May 13th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Swimming pool heaters have been of for a week and Management claim they have no knowledge of any problems at the pool.That is RUSTENBURG.
June 4th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
u rock!! knowing me, i’d be the first to crash into the wall. And as far as consistency goes, i was also raving about the higher grade equipment i ws training on in CT this weekend!! i love this ‘consistency’ idea they have going
!!!
July 6th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Talking about “consistency” – now you have to pay for the Junior Care Facilities which were previously part of your membership – V Club now has a membership fee – and we thought that up to the age of 18 our children could use the facilities free of charge! CONSISTENCY? V Blast – for children aged 7 – 12 – you now have to take out a membership! Previously our kids could participate in a kiddies class free of charge! The only way to combat this kind of greed is to BOYCOTT it – don’t take out the memberships MAKE A STAND!!
August 12th, 2007 at 12:33 am
Is this the sound of the ship finally sinking? Give it up VA – you’re tired, overpriced and have forgotten what service is – when you lost the likes of Dave, Fran, Clelland, Francois, Gary et al because of your shortsightedness, the deathknell began to toll. Without service you’re just another expensive, dying brand. Branson may have saved you but he’s clearly lost interest.
August 13th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
The lane ropes change colour 5m from the end, use them as your marker! I agree the backstroke flags look an unsightly mess and they are right to remove them. Only a tiny minority use the flags but it makes the pool hall look like there’s a Queens Jubilee. Well done Virgin Active for keeping your standrds spot on. By far the best clubs and the best value for money anywhere.
August 19th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Tim, u are clearly not a swimmer. I swim in 4 different pools, and nowhere does the colour of the lane ropes change ( and I’m not colour-blind)!The flags are the stuff u are looking out for when approaching the wall ( when u are dying and just want to finish the length) – seeing the flags orientates u, and taking it down because it doesn’t look good… stupid. Come on – put it back VA!
October 4th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
i have tried getting a job as fitness instructor in leeds, as i am 60 (but unbelivabley fit)it would seem i am past it, i wonder if any of the older members might like to comment,
October 4th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
ps
idiots seems a bit strong to me ,perhaps misguided on the flag issue sounds better
October 10th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
i wanted to join VA but i have my doubts after reading all the comments
October 10th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Frans, for the most part I love training at Virgin Active, at the gym level they generally have really cool staff, this was more of a corporate level thing, and it was fixed within a week. I’d def suggest signing up…!
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
yes i agree with you because the past 4 years i been
complaining about the state off the equipment and the steam room the tiles are yellow already not even
white know more.
it’s a health risk to gym at the germiston virgin
active.