It’s no secret that over the past few years, social isolation and loneliness have been on the rise. We’ve even heard phrases recently like ‘loneliness epidemic’.  

While it can take a lot of courage to admit that we feel the L word, at Virgin Active our social wellness clubs are judgement-free zones which are designed to create community and social connection. Think you’re just part of a regular gym chain? Think again.  

Here’s how we’re using our social wellness clubs to beat loneliness, create adult friendships and boost your mental health.  

What is social wellness? 

Calling Virgin Active a social wellness club is not a fancy tagline. It’s our way of committing to bringing positive social experiences into our members’ lives.  

‘Social wellness’ simply means having strong and positive relationships. That could be at home, at work and also where you work out.  

We all know how good it feels to belly-laugh with a bestie or look at the time and realise how fast it’s flown. That’s what it means and feels like to be on top of your social wellness.  

A social wellness club, like Virgin Active, is where you can make those connections and where existing friendships grow stronger.  

Why does social wellness matter?  

If you’ve never seriously thought about social wellness, you won’t be alone. A lot of people focus on having good physical and mental health. But sometimes we forget that both of those things depend on having a strong social circle too.  

What, even your physical health?! 

Yes. Studies have shown that positive and consistent social hangouts help you live longer, reduce your risk of brain-related conditions like dementia and decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke. Sometimes by up to 50%.* 

And there are some pretty good benefits for your mind too. People with strong social circles often have less stress, or are able to manage it better, and have a strong sense of belonging. They also show better resilience when times get tough because they’re comforted and supported by their friends. Finally, with a rich social life, you’ll also feel more inspired to express yourself in your most authentic way. 

What is Virgin Active doing to create social wellness and fight loneliness?  

A Virgin Active club is not like your regular gym. We prioritise all parts of your wellness, not just your immediate health goals.  

Our CEO Dean Kowarski puts it like this:  

“We don’t see ourselves as a gym. We see ourselves as a social wellness club - and the ‘club’ part is really important to us…We’ve created a place for [people] to socialise, where they can have a juice or a great meal, meditate or lie down and listen to a sound bath. We’re purposefully creating environments where people can come together.”  

We’ve updated our clubs to create more open spaces where it’s easy to mingle. Those include our co-working spaces, lounges and Kauai cafés as well as the talks and member events that individual clubs put on. If you need more, our classes are always great places to meet people and our friendly team is here for you. That includes our Personal Trainers too.  

Dean says:  

“Personal Trainers are no longer just trainers, they’re coaches. They not only show an individual how to run on a treadmill or lift weights, they sit and have a coffee with them and talk about non-exercise, asking how they’re feeling on their recovery day and how they’re sleeping.” 

What can you do to enjoy more social wellness?