Reposted 7 days ago

Performance Cycle Instructor - London

Virgin Active
Pay £26.50 per hour
Location London, London

The Breakroom Take

4.6

Rated 4.6 out of 10, based on 117 employees who took the Breakroom Quiz

See all job reviews

  • Pays all ages fairly
  • Recommended by students

About Virgin Active

Virgin Active is a gym and health club chain.

Job description from Virgin Active

We’re looking for you serious cyclist. You love the metrics and know how to push your clients through the energy zones. You need to be confident in creating a class that takes members on the ultimate ride utilising the tools available to you such as cadence, heart rate and power.

Our signature programs are structured to further support your growth and development as a group fitness coach at Virgin Active. You’ll experience first-hand that we Engage through Heartfelt Service. Empower with Red Hot passion and inspiration. Excite with respect, creativity and energy. They’re innovative and make exercise irresistible for our members.

We're looking for instructors to cover XXXXXX.

The Program:

  • A member-focused, entertaining journey
  • Exhibits the essence of cycling
  • Offers improved strength, speed, power, stamina and focus
  • Athletic, but accessible, motivational and entertaining

The Member Experience:

  • Creative programs to prevent plateau and boredom
  • Increased metabolic effect
  • Improved overall health, fitness and sense of well-being
  • Fun, motivating and entertaining

What we can’t live without:

  • Must be passionate about fitness and cycling
  • Must have a desire to coach
  • Must live out our values by Engaging (Heartfelt Service), Empowering (Red Hot) and Exciting (Delightfully Surprising) our members and teammates
  • Cycling and Level 2 Fitness Qualification minimum OR equivalent experience
  • Musicality - your music must inspire and uplift our members all the way to the last beat
  • Excellent technique
  • Dynamic personality to motivate and ‘coach’ participants
  • Must have a can-do, get-it-done positive attitude

Ready to get involved and bring the experience to life for our members? If so, click Apply Now!

Map

London, London

A map of the rough location for this vacancy

What employees say

Pay

    Okay
  • Only some people are paid a living wage

    Do Virgin Active pay a living wage?

    Some people are not paid a living wage.

    How we know this

    53% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.

    Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should be paid enough to live on.

    The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.

    The current rates are £12.60 per hour, and £13.85 per hour in London.

    Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.

  • Good
  • Most people are paid market rates

    Do Virgin Active pay market rates?

    Most people are paid above average for their job.

    How we know this

    72% of people are paid above average for the type of work they do.

    Based on data from 46 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.

  • Good
  • Everyone is paid the same, whatever their age

    Do Virgin Active pay the same regardless of age?

    Yes, people under the age of 21 get paid the same as those above 21.

    See what Virgin Active pays different age groups

    How we know this

    The average pay of under 21s is the same as those above 21.

    Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and April 2025.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t get paid breaks

    Do workers at Virgin Active get paid breaks?

    No. Most people don’t get paid breaks.

    How we know this

    87% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.

    Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should have paid breaks.

    You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people don’t get sick pay

    Do Virgin Active pay sick pay?

    No. Most people don’t get proper sick pay.

    How we know this

    91% of people say they wouldn’t get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.

    Based on data from 53 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.

    At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.

    This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.

  • Okay
  • Some people do unpaid extra work

    Do workers at Virgin Active do extra work that they don't get paid for?

    Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.

    How we know this

    59% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.

    Based on data from 58 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.

Hours and flexibility

    Okay
  • Less than 4 weeks notice of shifts

    How much notice do people get of their shift pattern at Virgin Active?

    Only some people get 4 weeks notice of when they’re working.

    How we know this

    • 24% of people with changing schedules report getting one week notice or less.
    • 16% of people with changing schedules report getting two weeks notice.
    • 22% of people with changing schedules report getting three weeks notice.
    • 39% of people with changing schedules report getting four weeks notice or more.

    Based on data from 51 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, you get plenty of notice about when you’re working.

    This makes it easy for you to plan the rest of life, as well as your finances, because you know how much you’ll be working and when.

  • Good
  • Most people don’t worry about their hours

    Do workers at Virgin Active worry about hours?

    Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.

    How we know this

    76% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.

    Based on data from 41 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.

    A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.

    This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get a choice of shifts

    Do Virgin Active workers get to choose the shifts they work?

    Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.

    How we know this

    39% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.

    Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.

  • Okay
  • Can be hard to change shifts

    How easy is it for Virgin Active workers to change shifts?

    Some people find it hard to change shifts.

    How we know this

    61% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.

    Based on data from 49 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.

  • Good
  • Easy to book holiday

    How easy is it to book a holiday at Virgin Active?

    Most people find it easy to book holiday.

    How we know this

    67% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.

    Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.

  • Okay
  • Shifts can get changed at short notice

    Do Virgin Active managers change shifts at short notice?

    Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.

    How we know this

    45% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.

    Based on data from 58 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.

  • Okay
  • Some people find it hard to take sick leave

    How easy is it to take sick leave at Virgin Active?

    Some people find it hard to take sick leave.

    How we know this

    55% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.

    Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.

    A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.

  • Good
  • Most students say it’s good

    Is a Virgin Active job good for students?

    Most students say this is a good place to work if you’re studying.

    How we know this

    69% of students report this is a good place to work if you’re studying.

    Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and March 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should allow you to fit work around important things in your life, like studying.

    Life isn’t just about work. Good jobs make space for you to do well in both.

  • Okay
  • Only some parents say it’s good

    Is working at Virgin Active good if you’re a parent or carer?

    Only some parents and carer say this is a good place to work.

    How we know this

    58% of people who care for a child or other relative report this isn’t a good place to work.

    Based on data from 12 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and December 2024.

    Why this matters

    Whether it’s looking after children or caring for a relative, a good job should support your responsibilities outside of work.

Workplace

    Okay
  • Only some people feel treated with respect

    Do people at Virgin Active feel treated with respect by their managers?

    Some people don’t feel treated with respect by their managers.

    How we know this

    38% of people say they’re not treated with respect by their managers.

    Based on data from 53 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get proper breaks

    Do people at Virgin Active get proper breaks?

    Some people don’t get proper breaks.

    How we know this

    47% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.

    Based on data from 57 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.

  • Needs improving
  • Most people are stressed

    Is it stressful to work at Virgin Active?

    Most people feel stressed here.

    How we know this

    72% of people say they often feel stressed at work.

    Based on data from 65 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.

    Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.

  • Okay
  • Only some people enjoy their job

    Do people at Virgin Active enjoy their jobs?

    Only some people enjoy their job.

    How we know this

    41% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.

    Based on data from 46 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2023 and April 2025.

  • Okay
  • Only some people recommend their team

    Do people at Virgin Active recommend working with their team?

    Only some people recommend working with their team.

    How we know this

    61% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.

    Based on data from 64 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job means enjoying the place where you work.

    The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.

    If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get enough training

    Do people get enough training when they start at Virgin Active?

    Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.

    How we know this

    52% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.

    Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.

    This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.

    It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.

  • Okay
  • Only some people get support to progress

    Are people given support to progress at Virgin Active?

    Only some people are given support to progress here.

    How we know this

    In the last year, 61% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.

    Based on data from 61 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.

    This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.

  • Needs improving
  • Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening

    Do people think Virgin Active head office understands what's happening where they work?

    Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.

    How we know this

    86% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.

    Based on data from 58 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.

    To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.

  • Okay
  • Only some people feel well informed by head office

    Do workers feel well informed about how Virgin Active is doing?

    Only some people feel well informed about how the company is doing.

    How we know this

    60% of people feel that they aren’t kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.

    Based on data from 60 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2023 and April 2025.

    Why this matters

    At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.

    You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.

Find out more about working at Virgin Active

What Virgin Active employees say about their job

  • Best thing

    Pay

    Worst thing

    Management don’t know what there are doing, in my 2 years of working there I had 4 different General managers with about 3 other people stepping in when we didn’t have one, new people never get trained properly leaving the work environment terrible cause everyone is frustrated with each other when it’s really management’s fault but we have to deal with it ourselfs, also when massive changes where made to the company we had no support. 6 people that had worked there a long time left before I did and about 5 people left after I did all because of stress, mental health, being treated poorly, and just all together no support from anyone even when you reach out.

    1.5

    Lifeguard supervisor at Virgin Active, January 2025

  • Best thing

    I love being a personal trainer and the members.

    Worst thing

    You won't make money and progression doesn't come often

    4.6

    Personal trainer at Virgin Active, January 2024

See more reviews
  • Best thing

    You get a free gym membership

    Worst thing

    Underpaid, long hours, working bank holidays, not being listened to

    4.7

    Central sales specialist at Virgin Active, May 2023

  • Best thing

    The team I supervise are nice

    Worst thing

    Training at my place is hard to come by (management training)

    3.0

    Lifeguard at Virgin Active, January 2023

  • Best thing

    the vibe amongst the majority staff is amazing, laid back but still professional.

    Worst thing

    some staff can be very difficult, a lot of micromanagement, new rules on a monthly basis, no consistency, was sometimes told to do contradicting things.

    7.3

    Front of house at Virgin Active, December 2022

  • Best thing

    Free gym membership

    Worst thing

    Practically a cleaner whilst being a LG
    Always under paid
    Management say this isn't to the highest standard when its not are Job to clean upstairs

    3.4

    Lifeguard at Virgin Active, August 2022

  • Best thing

    There isn’t all too much to do other than supervise the pool and a few extra tasks on top of heat breaks.

    Worst thing

    Shifts can feel very long and boring, and enjoyment can vary based on which other lifeguards are present.

    9.5

    Lifeguard at Virgin Active, May 2022

  • Best thing

    Free membership
    Few (very few) regular nice customers

    Worst thing

    Rudeness from customers for the smallest things. (Threatening you daily min). Anyone above you even just as them being there longer bullying those below. No care when comes to employees health. No sick pay and if want a day off sick get punished for it even if hospital stay. Holiday is a nightmare to book as never say you’ve got it at all and even if given them two to three months notice and no one else booked that day still schedule you for that day then you get punished. Had a out disciplinary left and right for smallest things. Breaks aren’t paid for and are to small. By law have to have a 15 minute break to eat and relax before heading back to pool side. They don’t give have to go upstairs to clean the gym for an hour no breaks and if they catch you having a small break as tiered get told off. If you call support for anything first aide or a customer trying to attack you. It’s you fault. If you get sick or feel unwell, how could you or prevented that even if it’s a sickness bug. The smallest complaint from a customer even if it’s you’ve had a bad day and look ever so slightly moody they have to drag you into a one to one even if the complaints higher up and worse. Most facilities are falling apart or broken all the time. No support when need it but ask you every day do you want it but when you say yes get nothing. No care for mental health or how you feel. Even if you go by the book and go by the rules of the club you will be the one to get told off is the customer isn’t happy with them or breaks them after you’ve told them multiple times. Continuously changing there minds on the rules changing them weekly or to fit which ever customer pays the most or is higher up.

    1.9

    Lifeguard at Virgin Active, February 2022

  • Best thing

    People I work with.
    Being able to have treatments done.

    Worst thing

    Management not looking out for us.
    Rude customers.
    Having to do multiple jobs at once, treatments, payments, bookings, cleaning.

    3.2

    Beauty therapist at Virgin Active, February 2022

  • Best thing

    Free gym membership

    Worst thing

    The hours, no chair, they don’t listen to you, there’s a hierarchy and if your not a manger or in with one then you are at the back of the pecking order.

    1.4

    Receptionist at Virgin Active, September 2020

  • More reviews from Virgin Active employees

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