Any question answered...

It doesn't matter how heavy a dumbbell you hang off of the end of it, it won't get any bigger!
I work what I can change and accept those things I can't

The freeweights area in those gyms are a bit pants from what I have seen. About the same as puregym or virgin which are also pants.

Virgin at least has two power racks (even though the flooring is made of pillows making them almost unusable)

"The Gym Group" only have one rack, and poor quality bars too. I only had a tour but can imagine its like being in a chinese prison in there. So many curl bros, such little space.
I'm neither a powerlift nor bodybuilder, and for £20, it offers me what virgin does at £80-£120. I would like heavier weights but BB gyms are rank. Catford prison gym had no water, weights you could get tetinus off and the flys in the stairway sealed the deal. Bethnal the gorillas that looked like the ate little children when the sun set.

BETTER is much better. It's £20 for a rolling monthly contract. Swimming pool included. Pilates and yoga for free as long as not in the evening.
You don't even need to face the square necks, doormen and bailiffs, if you don't want to use steroids and weights, as it's a completely different room to normal people.
the gym group has no contract. And I have no idea about classes.

I find virgins generally offer a poor workout. Criticising them for lack of variety is a bit unfair.
I loved my virgin gym. Very spacious and very clean. The trick with them is to go to a gym with city types who need to go back to the banker belt so by 7pm or early morning it would be almost empty.