New app embarrassingly BAD
The 4.1.1. update has made very little difference. The building blocks to the app are severely and fundamentally flawed, to the point that the phrase “polishing a ****” rings true. I’m so fed up with not being able to clearly and easily see and book classes. Terrible stock images everywhere (I can’t bear their faces now). “Rewards” don’t work. I’m supposedly a silver member but none of the “silver” “rewards” are unlocked. No one in club knows what to do. Sometimes my classes don’t register on the app. What an absolute mess. I’ve stopped using the app and now just use the website, not ideal at all. No one in club I’ve spoken to has a positive word to say. If I had the option I’d give this app 0 stars!! It’s so very bad, in fact the worst app I’ve ever used. Desperate for the old app to be reinstated, the new one is ruining my user experience of Virgin Active. 😔
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Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. Just so you know, we updated the app last week & improved the functionality.
Latest Update Ruined the Experience
The latest update of the Virgin Active app has significantly worsened the overall experience. The process of booking classes has become unnecessarily complicated. What used to be a single click is now a cumbersome multi-step approach. Users can no longer save multiple timetables; instead, they each time have to select clubs and only then filter for class types. Additionally, the waitlist for a class cannot be seen until users click on the specific class, which is quite inconvenient.
There is no longer a single page where users can view all their classes. Now, they are mixed in with other information, requiring horizontal scrolling—a poor user experience on a vertically-oriented phone screen. Moreover, users can’t see the instructor of a class they booked until opening the class. Instructors often change, and users don’t always remember which class they booked a week ago.
If users wanted a website experience, they would go to the website. This is an app, so it should look, feel, and work like an app. These are just a few examples of the issues with the new update. While the attempt to add more features is appreciated, please do not do so at the expense of ease of use and simplicity. Please bring back the single-page class timetables and booking experience users had before and relocate the additional features elsewhere.
There is no longer a single page where users can view all their classes. Now, they are mixed in with other information, requiring horizontal scrolling—a poor user experience on a vertically-oriented phone screen. Moreover, users can’t see the instructor of a class they booked until opening the class. Instructors often change, and users don’t always remember which class they booked a week ago.
If users wanted a website experience, they would go to the website. This is an app, so it should look, feel, and work like an app. These are just a few examples of the issues with the new update. While the attempt to add more features is appreciated, please do not do so at the expense of ease of use and simplicity. Please bring back the single-page class timetables and booking experience users had before and relocate the additional features elsewhere.
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Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. Just so you know, we recently updated the app & have reduced the number of steps when it comes to viewing your bookings, booking a class or cancellation. Waitlist positions have also been added next to every class. Class bookings can be viewed by going to Home > Class Bookings. Instructor names are also visible under the class names on the main timetable page. We appreciate your input as we consider ways to enhance our member experience.
Upgrade made the app unusable
The new app no longer allows to search for and book classes across pre-selected gyms near you and is limited to the ‘home club’. Tons of fancy (and useless) tabs and functions added - but the single most important reason why the app was required - to easily search and book pre-selected classes in pre’selected gyms had been removed ... one now needs to manually search for any gym that is not the home gym every time. Extremely disappointed and going back to the web version 🫤 Can the option to use the old app please be added - it was easy to use and was not broken ?
The app only needs to give one a handful of things . Search class…. Book class.…see your bookings. It is ok to have a section on media, loyalty and news - it can be at the very last tab and one in ten people might occasionally venture there. It should not be the front page. … whoever developed this has never been a gym member themselves … a gym app needs clear and simple graphic, 80% of focus on class bookings, 10% focus on managing your membership and maybe 10% everything else. This app is 80% everything else and you might book a class if you’re lucky. Another personal bugbear is removing the option of cancelling the membership from the app - I am extremely annoyed by apps that force you to call the provider to cancel instead of pressing a button - surely that’s a violation of consumer rights.
The app only needs to give one a handful of things . Search class…. Book class.…see your bookings. It is ok to have a section on media, loyalty and news - it can be at the very last tab and one in ten people might occasionally venture there. It should not be the front page. … whoever developed this has never been a gym member themselves … a gym app needs clear and simple graphic, 80% of focus on class bookings, 10% focus on managing your membership and maybe 10% everything else. This app is 80% everything else and you might book a class if you’re lucky. Another personal bugbear is removing the option of cancelling the membership from the app - I am extremely annoyed by apps that force you to call the provider to cancel instead of pressing a button - surely that’s a violation of consumer rights.
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Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. Just so you know, we recently updated the app & have reduced the number of steps when it comes to viewing your bookings, booking a class or cancellation. We also added the waitlist position function back on. Cancellation can be done in club, via email, and via the live chat on our website.
New app embarrassingly BAD
The update has made very little difference. The building blocks to the app are severely and fundamentally flawed, to the point that the phrase “polishing a ****” rings true. I’m so fed up with not being able to clearly and easily see and book classes. Terrible stock images everywhere (I can’t bear their faces now). “Rewards” don’t work. I’m supposedly a silver member but none of the “silver” “rewards” are unlocked. No one in club knows what to do. Sometimes my classes don’t register on the app. What an absolute mess. I’ve stopped using the app and now just use the website, not ideal at all. No one in club I’ve spoken to has a positive word to say.
If I had the option I’d give this app 0 stars!! It’s so very bad, in fact the worst app I’ve ever used. Desperate for the old app to be reinstated, the new one is ruining my user experience of Virgin Active. 😔
If I had the option I’d give this app 0 stars!! It’s so very bad, in fact the worst app I’ve ever used. Desperate for the old app to be reinstated, the new one is ruining my user experience of Virgin Active. 😔
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Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. Just so you know, we updated the app last week & improved the functionality.
Very bad new version
Virgin Active changed their app, this new one is unfortunately very bad. We all wish they could go back to the old app (or give us the option to do so) it was much easier to use, easier to find a class, easier to book, easier to see your position on the waiting list (now you have to go to the site yo know if you have a chance to get in the class). We can’t “add the class to our calendar anymore as the link provided doesn’t work. We’re being told that this will be fixed but months are going by and the app remains bad. It’s also visually unattractive with too many photos. It’s an app for people who are already members, it has to be functional, not make us waste time because it’s poorly designed
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Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. Just so you know, we updated the app last week & this now shows your waitlist position. You can add your bookings to the calendar & we're looking at the sync option for future releases.
Functionally much worse than before
Previously in the app you could see your booked/waitlisted classes in a list and they would also appear in your calendar if you chose that option. If you went from waitlist to in the class, the class would appear in your calendar, similarly if you cancelled a class it would also be automatically removed from your calendar. This no longer happens; you get the option to add at time of booking but must manually update.
The graphics are pretty but useless and the clarity; what is available, what have I booked? In a simple list is no longer there. Why do you waste time and money on this nonsense without testing it on actual users? Also when will you be reversing the disastrous music policy? Members and instructors are voting with their feet…
The graphics are pretty but useless and the clarity; what is available, what have I booked? In a simple list is no longer there. Why do you waste time and money on this nonsense without testing it on actual users? Also when will you be reversing the disastrous music policy? Members and instructors are voting with their feet…
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Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. We updated the app last week to reduce steps for viewing bookings, booking classes, and cancellations. You can add your bookings to the calendar & we're looking at the sync option for future releases. We'll review these concerns as we continue to refine the app's functionality.
Horrible update, make it go away !!
Why fix what ain’t broke??? The previous app worked and was clean and simple. The new app is horrible and the complete opposite … far too busy / too graphic heavy, harder to find the timetable for my home club, no longer able to filter on specific classes (eg - now all 101 yoga/pilates classes, not the ones I am interested in), classes booked no longer appear in an easy to view list, waitlist position no longer available. Everything I needed used to be on the quick navigation buttons at the bottom … now I have to delve through menus. I wish I hadn’t updated (or could revert to the old app) - please please please simplify the app (ie - bring back the old app)! In the meantime, I have reverted to using the website ….
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Unorganised and chaotic app
The old version of the app was so well made. When being on a waitlist for a class you could see where exactly on the waitlist you are therefore there wouldn’t be any surprises when someone cancels last minute because you’d know the probability of you getting the spot. Even if you show up for a class being 1st or 2nd on the wait list there was always someone who’d cancel so you’d get to the class. Now? You can’t plan it because you don’t know your position on the wait list. Getting a notification an hour before the class starts that you’re off the waitlist because people before you canceled it and then being penalised for not showing up because there’s no way you can make it to the gym in a hour. It’s very silly.
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Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. Just so you know, we updated the app last week & this now shows your waitlist position.
August 2024 update not as good as previous version
Stupid new app won’t even let me log in now after using it for a few weeks
My details are correct, and can still get into website
Makes me think about changing clubs as it’s not making my life easier
I use multiple clubs and like to see the classes for these together (mainly because virgin don’t do as many mat classes anymore and I have to switch locations) this new version of the app doesn’t save my preferred clubs timetable like the old version it just resets back to my home club. It also doesn’t tell you how many people are on the waitlist until you book. This is unhelpful if deciding between classes. And when you are on the waitlist it doesn’t tell you what number on list you are, this is unhelpful because if say an hour before you know you still number 14 on the list you can cancel as unlikely you will get in and make other plans. If you are second on the list you know it is likely you will be in and can travel etc. There are a lot of cancellations just before the cut off time so knowing where you are in the list is really important. Also had to reset password as it wouldn’t let me log in on app but was logged in on website so it was just by trial and error in realised the new app now needed a special character in the password which why there was a different between the app and website letting me log in. The interface is not as clear
My details are correct, and can still get into website
Makes me think about changing clubs as it’s not making my life easier
I use multiple clubs and like to see the classes for these together (mainly because virgin don’t do as many mat classes anymore and I have to switch locations) this new version of the app doesn’t save my preferred clubs timetable like the old version it just resets back to my home club. It also doesn’t tell you how many people are on the waitlist until you book. This is unhelpful if deciding between classes. And when you are on the waitlist it doesn’t tell you what number on list you are, this is unhelpful because if say an hour before you know you still number 14 on the list you can cancel as unlikely you will get in and make other plans. If you are second on the list you know it is likely you will be in and can travel etc. There are a lot of cancellations just before the cut off time so knowing where you are in the list is really important. Also had to reset password as it wouldn’t let me log in on app but was logged in on website so it was just by trial and error in realised the new app now needed a special character in the password which why there was a different between the app and website letting me log in. The interface is not as clear
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Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback! Just so you know, we updated the app last week & have reduced the number of steps when it comes to viewing your bookings, booking a class or cancellation. We have also added waitlist positions back onto the app. You can view multiple timetables by going to Club > View Timetable > Select Clubs. If you are still experiencing issues with your password and logging in please reach out to the club team or on our live chat via the website.
The worst gym app
What a failure of an app. From the terrible strap line “this is not an app” to the awful functionality and user experience, I have no idea what they’re trying to do.
The simple act of booking a class has been turned into an assault course. You can no longer create custom timetables, you can’t see what position you are in the waitlist, your booked classes aren’t clear. You can’t add those classes to your calendar. You can’t see the capacity at the gym any more.
The old app had several unaddressed issues but at least it was designed with the guest in mind. The club and devs team just don’t care that this asset doesn’t work which affects enjoyment of the facilities. What a way to waste money
The simple act of booking a class has been turned into an assault course. You can no longer create custom timetables, you can’t see what position you are in the waitlist, your booked classes aren’t clear. You can’t add those classes to your calendar. You can’t see the capacity at the gym any more.
The old app had several unaddressed issues but at least it was designed with the guest in mind. The club and devs team just don’t care that this asset doesn’t work which affects enjoyment of the facilities. What a way to waste money
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Response from developer
Thanks for your feedback. Just so you know, we recently updated the app & have reduced the number of steps when it comes to viewing your bookings, booking a class or cancellation. Waitlist positions have also been added. You can add your bookings to the calendar & we're looking at the sync option for future releases. We've also added back the club capacity feature.
