To celebrate the launch of his new health and fitness club, Virgin Active in Melbourne’s CBD, Sir Richard Branson today took on Australia’s top athletes in a series of physical challenges with a difference!

Richard drove Australia’s number one rock climbing champion, Samantha Berry, ‘up the wall’ as they both scaled the 14 meter indoor rock climbing zone inside the brand new club on Bourke St. In true Virgin style, this was no ordinary climb!

Samantha met her match as she courageously climbed the steep wall with one leg tied behind the other as Richard was boosted up the wall by his cheeky Virgin Active support team.

“Unlike today’s challenge, Virgin Active’s approach won’t drive members up the wall like other gyms in Australia,” Branson said. “We have designed our clubs to be larger than our competitors so there’s more space, more equipment and more room to enjoy the world class facilities without having to queue. And we know how to have a bit of fun while we work out,” he said.

Supported by Australia’s finest athletes including Michael Klim (Olympic gold medallist), Anna Meares (Olympic gold medallist and Australian Cyclist of the Year), Kate Smyth (Olympic Marathon runner) and Dale Thomas (Collingwood AFL star), Richard proved that the Virgin Active philosophy is a winning formula.

“We’re all about building a relationship with our members in a friendly welcoming health club environment, with that great value for money and customer service that people have come to expect from Virgin,” Richard said.

“Our members get to experience new, encouraging and innovative ways to improve their fitness.” Branson said. “From the 25 metre pool to the relaxation sauna, mind/body studios to the aqua lounge, and even sleep pods where members can get some well earned rest after their workouts, or simply take a power nap in their lunch break!”

Virgin Active opened its first Australian club in Frenchs Forest in December 2008 to an overwhelming response. Now, thousands of Melbournians are enjoying Virgin Active’s world class facilities and making a positive change to their lives.

Challenging the industry like never before; from its holistic approach to health and fitness through to championing consumer demand for flexible and transparent contracts, Richard is confident more and more Australians are going to ‘work out with Virgin Active’.

Those who are keen to ‘work out’ with Virgin Active can visit www.virginactive.com.au or call us on 1300 WRK OUT (i.e. 1300 975 688).

-ENDS-

For further information on Virgin Active, please contact:

Tom Hutley
Hausmann Communications
E: tom.hutley@hausmann.com.au
T: 02 8353 5730 M: 0449 613 771

Danielle Keighery
Virgin Management
E: danielle.keighery@virgin.com.au
M: 0400 22 31 36

About Virgin Active

• Virgin Active is one of the largest health club businesses in the world, with over 170 clubs and more than 900,000 members across the UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal and South Africa.

• Virgin Active opened its first Australian club in Frenchs Forest, Sydney in December 2008 and is now introducing its second club in Bourke St, Melbourne.

• Virgin Active Bourke St offers convenient class times for busy CBD workers and boasts a range of unique facilities including a 25 metre swimming pool, relaxation spa and sauna, dedicated mind/body studio, internet café, a rock climbing wall and even sleep pods for a quick daytime power nap. Best of all, Virgin Active offers industry-leading ‘flexible’ contracts.

• More information at www.virginactive.com.au or call 1300 WRK OUT (i.e. 1300 975 688)

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