Buzz: The fitness club from Richard Branson’s multinational brand Virgin has landed in Bangkok, at Empire Tower Sathon. It is the most elaborate decor we’ve seen for a gym so far and the equipment is pretty high-tech, too.

Vibe: The massive four-level, 4,000-square-meter fitness club in trendy red and white comprises six different workout studios, each with a different mood. For instance, the cycling room shows stirring graphics on a huge screen along with rousing music, while the Mind & Body studio provides a calm and relaxing atmosphere for yoga or pilates thanks to its wooden walls and subdued décor. 

Products and services: The club offers over 200 classes a week, as well as advanced technology systems that give you the chance to use equipment like adrenaline boosting machines for 20-minute work-outs (these need to be booked using the Virgin Active mobile app). The club really puts the focus on different ways of working out, with functional body-building programs, antigravity yoga classes and pilates, as well as more extreme options like high-altitude training and a climbing wall—still a rarity in Bangkok. After getting all sweaty, you can cool down at the indoor swimming pool, kick back in the steam and ice rooms or Himalayan Rock salt inhalation room. If you’re really worn out, you can even take a 20-minute power nap in one of the sleep pods.

Prices: Normal rates start from B3,000 for membership activation (with an initial commitment period of four weeks) and B645 for weekly fee, though their website currently advertises a reduced sign-up fee of B1,250. Membership also gets you access to over 270 clubs worldwide, including in London, Madrid and Sydney.. 

Empire Tower (linked to BTS Chong Nonsi Skywalk), South Sathorn Rd., 02-110-9772. Mon-Sun 6am-10pm. www.virginactive.co.th, www.facebook.com/VirginActiveThailand