The Top 10 Coolest Features of the New Virgin Active Tanjong Pagar

We got a sneak peak at the new Virgin Active gym at Tanjong Pagar, and we can’t wait to go back, mama! Find out what sets it apart from the fitness pack

I love me some fitness, so when I heard about the brand new, 31,000 square feet Virgin Active Tanjong Pagar I of course had to check it out pronto. Opening December 1 (that’s next week, mama!), the state-of-the-art club looks like it’ll be the new gold standard for gyms in Singapore. Located in the brand new, super futuristic Guoco Tower by Tanjong Pagar, it’s Singapore’s second Virgin Active Club, joining the original location at Raffles Place (with a Marina One location planned for late 2017, along with a boutique Holland Village gym opening in April).

A nice perk of Virgin Active is that members have access to all locations, and therefore each gym has unique perks to set it apart. Whereas this location doesn’t have a spinning studio like the one at Raffles Place, it does have an amazing high-altitude training studio (more on that below) along with access to the swimming pool at the soon-to-open Sofitel nextdoor. The Marina Square location will feature a state-of-the-art rock climbing wall. Of course the gym is loaded with dozens of pieces of top-of-the-line cardio and weights equipment, including the high-tech TechnoGym ARTIS line, which can actually track your fitness progress with cloud technology.

We got a sneak peek at the new Virgin Active earlier this month and wanted to highlight some of its coolest features. Check out our gallery for our Top 10 favourite features, mama!

Virgin Active Tanjong Pagar, 7 Wallich Street, #06-01, Tanjong Pagar Centre (Guoco Tower). Tel: (+65) 6908 7878 or click here for more deets!

www.virginactive.com.sg

The first thing you notice upon exiting the elevator is the red carpet that takes you to the concierge counter. Check-in is quick and personalized; basically everything is electronic so as to track your fitness progress. Classes can easily be booked online (up to six at once!), and the gym offers nice clothes so you don’t have to schlep home a smelly gym bag.

Sure you’re pretty high up there on the sixth floor, but the high altitude training studio can actually simulate working out at a height of 3,000 meters, which reduces your oxygen intake. Yes it’ll be tougher in the moment, but your fitness will improve and you’ll notice the difference next time you go for a run or a swim at normal altitude! Within the studio you can do intensive workouts like “Ankorr” resistance training (burn up to 750 calories in just 20 minutes!), ever-popular weighted ropes and a Jacob’s Ladder than can simulate climbing a mountain.

The huge dance studio has a serious disco vibe with glowsticks and strobe lights, along with a nice springy floor to go easy on your knees. You’ll find all manner of fun classes, too, from Zumba to Body Combat to Pil-oxing and “Pulse by Clubbercise”. In total the gym’s three fitness classrooms will offer up to 200 classes per week.

Functional fitness is all the rage these days, and Virgin Active offers heaps of group classes to keep things interesting. The “Grid Zone” has nice, springy flooring (soundproofed so the downstairs neighbors won’t hear you jumping and slamming things on the ground), and all manner of toys, from kettlebells, to tires for flipping, to Queenax suspension trainers. You can also access this stuff on your own, too.

Used to be, gyms only offered a smattering of Pilates and Yoga classes, usually basic group stuff, so it’s no wonder people often head to specialized studios. With a major emphasis on mind and body wellness, though, Virgin Active Tanjong Pagar will offer everything from Aerial and Hot Yoga to Reformer Pilates (available for a small supplemental fee – but not something I’ve ever seen in a multi-purpose gym before!).

While the Tanjong Pagar location lacks a standalone spinning studio, it will offer group classes on Wattbikes, which are smart enough to show your output and efficiency. Runners also take note: the gym is loaded with all kinds of cool next-gen treadmills, including the Sproing, the Woodway Curve and the Skillmill.

The huge boxing studio can fit up to 50 people, and has rubber floors so you can even work out barefoot. In addition to traditional boxing with punching bags and gloves, you’ll also find MMA workouts and other combat classes. Nearby you’ll also find three Crossfit-style Olympic weightlifting boxes.

Whew! We were exhausted just touring the gym, so can imagine how worn out we’d feel after an actual workout. Fortunately you can recover in one of the super cosy zero-gravity sleep pods, which will replenish your oxygen supply with just a 20-minute power nap!

Besides the napping pods, you can also boost recovery with steam and ice rooms, or relax in the Himalayan salt inhalation room, which is said to boost the immune system while also improving skin, hair, and nails. Who needs a spa?!

Not only are there spacious showers and plenty of lockers to go around (with built-in phone chargers, no less!), but you’ll also find luxe Panpuri Organic Spa toiletries (this happens to be one of my favorite spa brands whenever I travel to Thailand!) along with GHD hair dryers and hair straighteners. There are even different customised mood lighting schemes between the women’s and men’s locker rooms (pink and purple for the ladies, blue and green for the gents).