Ive been a member since it opened and fair to say I've fallen in love with the place. The staff are…read morevery friendly and there is a community friendly feel to the gym. I've been going regularly for a month or so and the facilities are fantastic. Even at peak hour there's more than enough equipment not to disrupt your workout and members are extremely polite, respectful and focused. I have swimming and gym membership but have yet to try the swimming pools. There is one large one and a second smaller one for private and women only sessions. The studio space where various classes take place is sizeable, which is just as well because workshops are always full. The gym changing area is always in clean condition and is also very spacious. The library downstairs is also a genius idea and a perfect meeting/waiting place if you're hooking up with some friends after the gym. Whilst I walk here there is ample parking space behind the centre as well as numerous residential roads. My favourite part about Arcadia is that due to its locale, I can see myself making friends with some of the regulars in the coming weeks and finding a training partner. Whilst this isn't something I seek overtly because I'm fairly well motivated and don't see the need. My mind has changed gradually haven't witnessed first hand, benefits of having a gym partner. I can see that not only does it focus your efforts and push you a little further but it also makes the work out more fun (Obviously depending on your partner) As I'm missing out on the cricket season this summer due to a shoulder operation and consequent rehabilitation. I expect to become part of the furniture this summer.

The Mrs managed to catch this of me yesterday before my daily swim at Withington baths currently…read moretraining for iron man triathlon event. Can't tell you how far i've come.

I'm glad that when they built the gigantic Aquatics Centre they didn't let the smaller quainter…read moreleisure centres around town turn to wreck and ruin. Whilst the Aquatics Centre is certainly more suitable for serious swimming, it is nice to have convenient local pools such as Chorlton Leisure Centre and Withington Leisure Centre. Withington Leisure Centre is home to a 25m pool, a sauna, gym and they also hold aerobics and aqua aerobics classes. Memberships are available. My friend had a student membership which she said was really good value as long as you used the facilities a couple of times a week - it's about half the price you would pay at the swanky Virgin gym at Parrs Wood. It's a little bit cheaper for a swim here than at the AC but you have to be prepared to circumnavigate loitering biddies and splashing kids as there are no lanes, and there is free swimming for under 16s and over 65s! The best thing is that you don't need to worry about finding a pound coin for the locker and lugging your pile of clothes, shampoo, towel etc around (which inevitably leaves you with soggy knickers or your towel on the bottom of the pile when you get out!). You simply leave all of your belongings in one of the cubicles around the edge of the pool. I like that traditional touch, and although this pool isn't as pretty as Victoria Baths or as functional as the Aquatics Centre, it's a good place to swim if you live in Withington or Fallowfield.

This is a good gym with a good atmosphere. Plenty of equipment, great classes and a nice pool…read more The downside is trying to book onto classes. They are invariably booked up. Very frustrating. Parking can also be tricky and time consuming.

Everyone is aware of the excellent quality of gym service by Virgin Active and it needs to further…read moreintroduction! This Parrs Wood branch woes you away like any other and makes you believe that the membership fees were worth every penny. They're obviously stocked with the latest equipment and there might not be a single machine that you might want and they don't have. They also have a wonderful swimming pool and steam suana room to help you relax after that intensive workout! I love the sunbeds here too! It comes well packed with a cafe with internet access and makes your day a well spent one.

I am a member of this gym. It has improved quite a bit but still needs more improvement…read more I disagree, there is never any parking after work or when attending classes. The womens toilet- always some out of order and always a risk hazard with water on the floor- very slippy. The womens gym has cheap equiptment, and a hazard with wires and extension leads everywhere. You can't put your arms out above your head as you touch the ceiling. Machines are constanltly out of order for months. The gym staff are not well qualified. I asked the personal trainer how to work out my max HR and he didnt have a clue. He said he was taught this at college but couldnt remember- and it didnt matter anyway! Staff generally very unfriendly and unapproachable. The music in the main gym is awful. It varies from head banging heavy metal to rap music on very very loud. They dont have a good selection of classes - pilates you have to pay extra. I wouldnt recommend this gym. I wont be renewing my membership as there are very good deals at other gyms.

I feel the need to put a few things right because I feel this gym is getting dealt with quite…read moreharshly considering the quality of the surrounding gyms in and around Manchester. Firstly it has two good size rooms with gym equipment in one having an upstairs and downstairs it has another room dedicated to weights and then another for aerobic classes. You have the Jacuzzi, Steam Room, Sauna and Japanese bath included (granted the japanese bath is out of order at the moment) and although I won't argue about the staff if you know what you're doing they won't bother you which is down to personal preference. If you want your space when you are working out it is ideal. If you compare this to the Aquatics centre which I have previously been a member of, the Aquatics centre has one small gym room and a large pool which they use for the olympic teams and is constantly booked so you can't use it. Compare to that which is supposedly one of the best this is much better. I've also been to other gyms, Virgin gym which isn't far away (the Parrswood complex) - but it's always too busy. And full of students trying to show off, not my idea of a good gym environment. This gym is more of a 30s professional/older gym goers which means people keep to themselves, don't cause a lot of fuss and get on with what they are doing. Again this is only my personal preference as I don't like people shouting in gyms and the trainers hassling you and saying you should be doing this and that I prefer to be left alone, but if you want guidance I would agree and say yes, don't go to this gym because they won't help you. Another criticism has been the air con yes it is warm but it get's you sweating and into the rhythm so I don't really see a problem, again personal preference. I've never seen it mad busy since I've been doing there which is 2-3 weeks, I've been most times from 5-6pm and mid day on a Saturday and I've always been able to get on the machines I wanted. Again this is not true of other gyms where they get so packed out queues develop which is a complete waste of time. So this is my review and I give it 4 stars because I tried a lot of gyms before I settled on this one and finds it suits my purpose, is quiet and there's plenty of modern, good gym equipment plus saunas, steam rooms, jacuzzi's and private showers so it's a thumbs up from me.

Well OMG, people, I've just gone and found my new gym…read more Where on earth in the city centre can you get a gym membership for a mere £15 a month that includes a really nice pool too? Yes, swimming is my preferred method of exercise and here be a lovely heated pool for me to flex my muscles in. Located in the unassuming but ostentatious-looking Sacha's Hotel in the Northern Quarter, you can have a swim here, lift some weights, take a steam or sauna, get some juice, have a shower and then the centre of town is on your doorstep for your weekly shop for example. What the darn? There's no joining fee and no contract here, you simply pay by the month by direct debit or you could fork out a fiver a week, or £2.50 a time. There's a boxercise class for an hour on Tuesdays from 1pm, and a spa full of the classic treatments like manicures, pedicures, massages, waxes and so on. I almost don't want to tell you lot about this as I don't want the place to get too crowded, but heck, it deserves the shout out. Spindles rocks and my £15 a month is more than well spent. Yours will be too, people.