VIRGIN ACTIVE SA by Outlook Publishing

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constituting the largest proportion of the estate’s offering. These double storey health clubs offer a wide range of activities under one roof, from top quality cardio equipment and specialist cycles, four to eight-lane heated pools or a more gentle style of exercise, such as yoga and Pilates. The majority of these clubs also offer a Club V facility for children and are geared towards active play and growing membership from an early age.

Gym made easy

Virgin Active’s latest innovation was launched in mid-2014. Billed as “gym made easy”, the new Virgin Active RED clubs offer South Africans in the emerging market an enticing value proposition while delivering the latest and most innovative equipment. Seven clubs were opened between mid-2014 to the end of 2015, and eight to 10 more are planned in 2016 with a similar number in the pipeline for several years thereafter. One RED club celebrated a ‘red letter’ day in November with a visit to RED Jabulani in Soweto from Sir Richard Branson. The brand CEO,

who last visited four years ago for the launch of the first Virgin Active Health Club in Soweto, said he was “thrilled to be back and to experience the infectious atmosphere and energy of the club, the staff and the members”. “This is an exciting new market for Virgin Active,” agrees Managing Director (MD), Ross Faragher-Thomas. “An opportunity for all South Africans to join a club that caters to their financial and health needs. “This doesn’t mean low cost, but rather clubs geared around a unique consumer category underpinned by the strong Virgin brand.” In 2016, Virgin Active SA will open a further eight to 10 Virgin Active RED clubs and two Classic Collection clubs; one at the iconic new precinct at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town and one in Pretoria, Gauteng province. Faragher-Thomas sees the strong growth as a result of opportunities offered by South Africa’s diversity: “We understand that South Africa is unique and have made it our business to understand our members, what works for them and then cater to them. The existing population is transitioning

BAM ARCHITECTS

am Architects is a Cape Town based architectural practice providing its clients with a full spectrum of innovative and cutting-edge services across a wide geographical footprint. Founded in 1992, the practice boasts a significant depth of expertise in commercial property ranging from large corporate offices, high rise buildings, apartment blocks, industrial, healthcare, heritage and leisure facilities. Bam Architects is proud to partner with Virgin Active where it was instrumental in developing the Virgin Active Red concept and the practice continues to work closely with Virgin as it pursues its ambitious growth strategy across a range of formats. For more than 23 years Bam Architects have successfully delivered innovative solutions for a wide variety of clients throughout the subcontinent. Not only does this speak volumes about longevity, but as well as its sustained ability to perform creatively at the highest level over this period. Bam Architects are driven by a philosophy of unique solutions for each individual project, which is ultimately connected to context and function rather than per-determined stylistic ideologies. We believe that high quality architecture results from the continuity of the design process and intensive dialogue with the client, professional team, contractors and end-users. We continuously make the business case for good design through the belief that creativity shouldn’t cost more. CHRISTIAN BAM – Principal

T +27 21 4656007 E info@bamarchitects.co.za CSR is a pivotal facet of Virgin Active SA’s ongoing operations, with its Future Crew programme one of many local enrichment initiatives