The Virgin Rebellion: Calling For The Beat

Calling for Creative Expression and Community Engagement in Fitness Spaces

Recently, Virgin Active made a controversial decision to replace its high-energy, licensed music tracks with royalty-free music. Presumably aimed at cutting costs, this decision has reverberated through the membership and staff, leading to the discontinuation of popular classes like Bodypump and leaving only pilates and cycling. While these are fine, they are insufficient to meet the diverse needs of the gym's clientele.

The Issue at Hand

Virgin Active's shift to royalty-free music from Epidemic Sound—a company renowned for its catalogue suited to films and social media but ill-fitted for spin classes—has left me, despite being a subscriber of Epidemic, feeling disillusioned. This change has diluted the vibrant ambiance of the gym, replacing invigorating beats with what many liken to 'elevator music.' It’s clear: the unique needs of group exercises are not being met.

The Sad Fact of Stifled Creativity

Epidemic Sound prides itself as a bastion of creativity and innovation, yet ironically, their music platform could now be stifling the creative freedoms of gym instructors. This limitation curtails their ability to tailor classes to both their own and their attendees' preferences. To me, instructors are the heart and soul of a fitness club; they are the reason I have remained a member for many years. Yet it seems neither they nor the members have any say in these changes.

Why Are Doors Closed?

The dropping of Bodypump and the shift to generic music have also precipitated a broader issue of silencing dissenting voices. Why is this happening? Those who speak up do not necessarily intend to criticise but are motivated by a desire to enhance the gym experience. I can only imagine how challenging this must be for those whose livelihood depends on their roles at Virgin Active, which naturally limits what they can say. That’s why I got involved—I can make some noise where they can’t. I believe many share these concerns, and as long as this is the case, I won't give up.

Conclusion

The Virgin Rebellion is more than just a petition to bring back better music and a wider variety of classes; it's a call for a respectful, engaging, and dynamic workout environment where decisions are influenced by the input and best interests of all gym users. I hope management will engage and explore alternative solutions that could be implemented.

Over to Churchill

This is a transmission from the Virgin Rebellion:

In these dark times, we navigate our sadness and anger, feeling lost.
Yet, we hold fast to hope—
what we've lost in classes, we've gained in unity, standing together in this fight.

The creative spirit at Virgin Active, though currently besieged, burns brightly still.
The responsibility now lies with us.

Hope does not blind us to the jeopardy at hand; it reminds us of our strength.

Our resolve will bring back the beats that move our feet and the classes that strengthen our core.

The fervent hope, the earnest plea, is that we do not let the creative spirits falter.