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Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson has launched the first Virgin Active Health Club in South-east Asia at One Raffles Place, Singapore.

Scheduled to open in the third quarter of this year, the 3,000 metre2 club will offer steam, ice and shower experiences, coupled with footbaths, reflexology and a salt-inhalation room - a first for Singapore gyms. Other elements include sleep pods for busy executives to take power naps in, as well as private meeting rooms.

Explaining the expansion of Virgin Active Health Club in South-east Asia, Sir Richard told AsiaOne "we had our team come look at Singapore and at (its) fitness clubs, and decided they were ... pretty dreadful.

"They tied (members) into long contracts and we've found it's a very open market for Virgin to come."

Explaining how Virgin Active will improve on the competition, the Virgin Group founder added "what we do with Virgin Active is what we do with every Virgin business, and that is to make sure that we're the best in town and that nobody can better us.

"In that way, we've built nearly 300 fitness clubs around the world. We've survived and thrived, whereas most of the big fitness chains have gone into financial problems."

Visit the Virgin Acitve Singapore page at www.facebook.com/VirginActiveSingapore

20th April 2013 - VIRGIN ACTIVE TO START ASIAN EXPANSION WITH SINGAPORE OPENINGS

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