Virgin announces club openings

The Virgin Group has announced that Virgin Active health clubs will be opening its first Australian club in the Sydney suburb of Frenchs Forest in December this year.

Already a major player in health and fitness in the UK, Italy, Spain and South Africa, Virgin Active has made a significant impact on the industry since its inception in 1999. Today it is one of the largest health club businesses in the world, with over 170 clubs and more than 900,000 members.

In 2007, the company enjoyed its eighth continuous year of growth, with reported revenues of $658 million and EBITDA of $152 million during the calendar year.

Newly appointed Virgin Active Australia Managing Director Mark Blackman explains, "Virgin Active will redefine the gym experience in Australia with world class facilities, a friendly, welcoming environment and that great value for money and customer service that people have come to expect from Virgin."

Virgin Active's global Chief Executive Matthew Bucknall adds that "with a proven formula that has seen rapid growth and expansion overseas over the last nine years, we believe that the Australian market is ripe for the new, holistic approach to health and fitness that Virgin Active offers."

The chain's second club will open on Bourke Street in Melbourne in the first quarter of 2009.

Virgin Group Chairman Sir Richard Branson stated, "I'm thrilled to bring one of my favourite Virgin businesses to one of my favourite places - Australia. The Virgin brand is already well known and loved by Australians and I know people will enjoy getting fit and active the Virgin way.

Everyone knows the importance of good health and at Virgin Active we will help people achieve their goals and ensure they have a little bit of fun along the way."