I came, I saw, I conquered (to an extent) one of the most basic climbing walls they had, but hey ho…read more- you have to start somewhere! My very first time at the MCC and first time climbing generally and I have to say that I really hope I'll be going back soon! We went for a taster session between 5 of us which lasted an hour and cost £60 between us - not bad value I think! Liam the instructor was a really cool guy (in fact all the staff were pretty chilled and friendly) and was all about the safety first, followed by teaching us on the kiddy walls - then onto the "am I really going to have to climb up that mofo" walls! After we all had a chance to get up and down the big walls a few times we then went on to some bouldering which was really cool but I could definitely feel it in my shoulders the next day - intense but good fun and you really work up a sweat! Special mention should go to what a cool place is - just check out the snaps! An old church/cathedral converted into what is an amazing space and setting - just wow!

I have always wanted to try climbing in the past, but have always been put off by the initial cost…read moreof equipment and just the general worry that I may not like it. Well, I have put that behind me. I decided to throw the idea out to the people of yelp and managed to gather together a small group of rotund gentlemen (like myself), and one pretty lady, to have a go at our local climbing wall. It was in a converted church, which was pretty cool. The MCC offer a 1 or 2 hour taster session, with the idea being that the more people you get to come the cheaper it will be. We went for the 1 hour and have to say that that was more than enough. We were introduced to our instructor Liam, who managed to show us how to put on all the equipment so as it would cause the most amount of damage to our genitals during the hour. He then took us to a child wall for our initial go at climbing. The air was filled with hushed curse words as a room full of food bloggers were rapidly been overtaken by small children on the climbing wall. Then, to the large wall! Wait?! Already?! YES!!!! And so, two at a time we were sent up the large wall. And it wasn't easy. my forearms are still aching now as I type! But it was fun. Everyone was aching together. Everyone was helping each other and egging people on. After this, we had a go at bouldering. This basically like the wall, but without ropes and only up a wall that is about 10'. Liam put stickers at some of the highest places and we all had to try and get one. Well, the things we will do for a sticker. It was carnage. People were falling off walls onto the crash mats like we were in action movies. Then, an hour was done. fantastic. I want to go back again :-)

I've been along to roller derby before but it was along time ago in a land far far away. I enjoyed…read moreit then and I enjoyed it now. Manchester Roller Derby has the added interest of being a part of an active co-ed league. We went along to this their 5th anniversary bout. They were in a local leisure centre on this occasion (Carnall George H in Urmston) not the most convenient spot in Manchester but accessible by a combination of tram and bus. I don't believe this is their home track but I get the feeling the bouts tend to move around with the availability of track space. There was a pleasantly large crowd but there were still plenty of seats and loads if visibility onto the track. They had supporters stalls for all the teams playing on the day with surprisingly desirable merch (especially the supporter t-shirts with your fave competitors name and number on the back) and a cake stall for celebratory birthday cake. A double header between Manchester / Wirral and Manchester / Birmingham was on the cards for the day and we set up shop in the stands. The supporters are an enthusiastic bunch and I found myself clapping and cheering for all the teams (though I should have been supporting MRD primarily). One of the fun trademarks of roller derby are the fun antics and the payer names which were not lacking. With pseudonyms like Fish 'n' Whips, Jim Jams (who was a Jammer and was wearing pyjama bottoms), Veggie Kray, Smack Bauer, Knit One Hit One and Steph Leopard. They had a pass the parcel game in the stands, a raffle for merch and a 'Throw a Duck' comp in the half times. If you've never been along to roller derby it's a full contact, fun and active sport to watch and the basic rules are simple enough to pick up in a couple of minutes explanation. I do recommend heading along to a bout and throw some support behind a local sport team in an fresh and interesting non mainstream sport. No paid endorsements or hefty salaries here they do it because they love it and it's really good fun.

This locally famous football club has all you need to go and watch a decent game of football…read morewithout the expensive prices. So what if it is not Manchester United or a massive stadium!?! It is a local team and have the best Pukka Pies ever! The stadium needs a bit of updating but apart from that it is a good atmosphere and good fun. Suitable for all ages, it is a great day to take the kids out. They have a club house with a bar and they also sell food. Take a look at their website for more football matches to come!

Not a bad little ground, up in the hills of Cheshire in glorious woodland. There is seating in the…read moremain stand for home supporters and a little bit of seating for away fans in the away end, just make sure you get there early. It was £12 to get in and there's plenty of parking on the road outside if the main car park is filled up. There's a pub next door - away fans can't get a drink in the ground so use this as much as possible before kick off!

I recently went to a 60th here for my Grandad. We went in during the day to set up our decorations…read morelike balloons and things and everyone was fairly helpful. They weren't exactly bending over backwards to help us but they were there and they let us move chairs around and things like that. My grandmother had paid the low sum to hire out the room (to the left as you walk in) plus a buffet spread and she had booked her own DJ. The party space had tables and chairs enough for 60-70 people, more than we actually needed - it was an intimate affair - and a stage for the DJ to play from plus a "dance floor" with the private bar to the right. There were also private toilets for our party, The main social club is to the right and its a fairly nice drinking place but is not really anything out of the ordinary.

I tried to get my 21st birthday party here, but sadly they were all booked up which is no surprise…read morehere at all. It is a great place to have a birthday celebration here. The rooms are slightly large if not a bit out dated but can fit a large number of people in. There is a fully stocked bar and it is really cheap as well for drinks. Also if you book a room for a party you can also order a buffet as well so all your guests have food. It is not much but a good idea. I would say that if you decide to hold a party here, you should book well in advance as places like these go fast!

The Armitage Centre is fine. As Rob says, its got all you need for a little fitness centre, and…read morethere aren't any others in the area. Though it is open to the public, I think you'd feel a little out of place as a non-student, though there are a few gym buffs who have been knocking about in there every day since I first went four years ago. The gym itself is very small, but has everything you need, and has TechnoGym equipment, which seems almost everywhere these days, probably because it's the best. Its exactly the same equipment they have at Virgin Active, and though much more squashed together, its less than half the price to use. Another great thing about the Armitage is the little 5-a-side football pitches, which you can either rent out or play on in a league. Leagues run every night of the week so its convenient for everyone. If it rains heavily its probably worth cancelling though, as the concrete pitches are not level and huge puddles make playing a serious health issue. They're the only pitches nearby except Power League, which is incredibly expensive. Nothing special but nothing wrong with it.

Manchester University's all in one sports centre! It welcomes a student's interest to sports but at…read morethe same time is open to all; the costs vary due to the same. It houses sports some basketball courts to massive football fields to the 5-a-side as well at the back. Not only this, but it caters as a conference and exhibition centre. Thus, it functions as a conventional sports centre during the university semesters and then as the exhibition centre, giving people a chance to always be a part of it. It also has Netball, hockey and volleyball courts giving you the chance to explore whatever interests you! It also has a fully equipped gym which attracts quite a lot of students with their student deals et al! Its a great all in one place to come work-out, play around and catch up with friends! I've always loved the fresh atmosphere it cities!