Sometimes you desperately need a short sharp shock of smushed fruit after your swim. Restorative…read moreVitamin C and lovely stuff. I kind of didn't want to walk all the way over to Amber Café on my way to Petersfield, and I'd noticed the little café at the Aquatics Centre a few times. It seemed to offer way more healthy treats than the archetypal vending machines at the South Manchester leisure centres (hey, they have those too. Hello Nice 'n' Spicy Nik-Naks!), and there was proper coffee too, so I sauntered up to the counter all exhausted with my hair all soggy (I refuse on principle to use my 20ps for hairdryers that wouldn't make a jot of difference to my multilayered thick hair) and asked about their smoothies. They could indeed do them to take away, but they only had about three options available on the generous list which didn't bother me in the slightest. I went for... come on, how could I resist the name?... THE IMMUNISER. It sounds like some kind of *machine*! It incorporated strawberry, kiwi and pineapple, three of my absolute favourite fruits, and it was awesome. Just the right portion and only a little over £2, how can one complain? I'll definitely be using this as regularly as my morning fruit shoot before breakfast. Thanks, Manchester Sports and Leisure! Nom.

Have been coming here to the gym on and off for a while now…read more The gym is small and compact but as everything you need in it for a workout there is always an instructor avaliable if you need any help on how to use the machines there is air conditioning on all the time so you dont get to hot and at £5.20 pay as you go you can stay as long as you like. downstairs there are a couple of pools and you can start at a beginners course or you can go in the advanced side , they also do a ladies only night for those who wish to just be with the girls. next door to the gym is a keep fit class and down stairs is a cafe and drinks machines staff are always friendly and helpful.

It's not you Bodybarre, it's me... kinda…read more This place honestly has the best set up I've seen for pole dancing and that is primarily its main specialism. I walked in the first time and there must've been at least 15 people strutting their stuff in unison on the poles. It was really impressive. However I like aerial acrobatics and as you may see from my previous reviews I've tried a fair few places. I booked onto both the four week trapeze and four week aerial hoop lessons. Both the owner and the teacher were really helpful, as I specifically emailed beforehand to make sure I would 'fit'. Sounds silly, but being almost 6 foot tall kind of works against gravity and I've found both aerial artists and your generic kit (hoops and trapezes) to generally be on the petite side (makes sense really). Which in my experience makes for a not only painful, but embarrassing and also futile workout for me. So after some reassurance I signed up and sadly this only confirmed my fears. The studio is on the top floor of a building in the Northern Quarter - which is brilliantly located - but I'm not sure the ceilings are much higher than my flat. Meaning that for me there was only enough space to sit once on the trapeze and I was very nearly scraping my head on the floor when hanging under the hoop. In my opinion if you cant stand up on a trapeze, it's basically half a lesson. Lack of space meant I didn't feel comfortable, as I was too busy worried about hitting things than actually getting into the classes and the movements. In all honesty I got bored, I felt the teaching was more focused on flair than developing strength and aerial conditioning. One reason behind this could be that a lot of class members seemed to be from the pole dancing school, in which case I'm sure they already have fantastic upper body strength. But I did book onto a beginners class and I think if I had been a genuine beginner I would have felt totally lost. Its a difficult thing to review an aerial class, because everyone has their own needs and requirements. In Bodybarre's defence they did offer me a trial half-price lesson to judge whether classes were suitable and I chose to continue and sign up for the courses after having had that trial. I guess I was just overly enthusiastic about finding somewhere for aerial in Manchester and sadly Bodybarre just isn't what I am personally looking for in a studio. However don't let me put you off, I recommend you drop them an email if you have any inkling of an interest, they have a very experienced team and were very helpful.

I had my first aerial yoga session yesterday with Penny..it was amazing.I felt great after,so…read morerelaxed and stretched from head to toe.Penny is so friendly and cheerful and a very good instructor.She also gave lots of additional information that I found interesting and helpful.The Bodybarre studio has a lovely feeling about it and there seem to be lots of fun exercise choices.I shall look forward to doing it again very soon.Thank you again.Diane Faulkner.

Think, Go Ape but indoors, now think Go Ape but indoors and miles cheaper !…read moreBOOM you have Sky High ! Not as big as Go Ape but i think you wallet or purse is better off. Loads of different climbing walls with levels of ease and variety of climbing. Then there is indoor cave exploring and high rise walks. Cafe was a bit poor on my visit. Hot drinks a little expensive (over £2) and there was two selections for food for kids and adults. Apart from that my 5 year old daughter had loads of fun. Would recommend

Ah, the Sainsbury's Basics of the gym world. No frills, no thrills, just machines. Whether places…read morelike this work for you depends entirely on what you'd want or expect from your workout experience. Now, as a stranger to gyms (I have a lucky metabolism but I assume the fitness levels of someone thrice my age), it was going to take a lot to drag me into a gym when I'm happy enough walking several miles or engaging in a few yoga stretches at home. Well, that lot that it took was Chris M, who had us at Pure Gym at 7.30 this morning. He means business when it comes to getting fit for our upcoming nuptials. Firstly, you can't knock it for its strategic planning. Urban Exchange is as basic ad necessity-driven as Pure Gym itself, with a car park, Aldi, Go Outdoors and the M&S outlet. Plus the outdoorsy folk'll who shop at Go Outdoors will love it. Opening up a gym that's open 24/7, yes, 24/7 in that particular spot so that folks who work unsociable hours can go there too? Pure Gym, you Einsteins, you. This is a gym even nocturnal cab drivers, bartenders and community managers (I'm not saying anything) can use. And it's next to so many residential buildings that they had a customer base right away. Your enjoyment of Pure Gym will depend entirely what you're looking to get from your experience. When I hear about gyms that make me want to go to one, it usually involves my Estonian friend telling me she did a spinning class (I actually had to Google that, I'm such a FAIL when it comes to exercise) followed by a shower, sunbed and a nice bowl of porridge with honey and banana in the café. You don't get any of that from Pure Gym. There are classes, mostly two quid a time, but no food aside from vending machine proteiny things, no sauna, no swimming pool. It's showers, changing rooms, lockers and machines. The one thing you can invest in is personal training sessions with the staff - otherwise they simply pretend you're not there. This can work to your benefit or your detriment, for example if your keycode isn't working. As a basic gym, Pure is functional. It's never crowded and it does what it says on the tin. And it looks like I'm not quitting while my fiancé's helping to kick my ass. Don't worry, I'm kicking his too.

Absolute joke of a company I tryed to buy a towel out of there vending machine witch never give me…read morethe towel. Then the only way you can contact them is threw Facebook messenger because there's no actual physical phone number you can speak to someone on. After 12 hours I was finally contacted back (because that's there wait time) to be told 3-5 working days. Well that time come and the refund never so you have to go back threw the 12 hour process of contacting them and awaiting the reply. I was then told by the exact same person (james) that my refund would infact take 10-14 working days well I then called James out for this but he didn't respond then another person did. No apology just the process takes that time anyway 14 working days have passed and still no refund so back threw the rigmarole of the 12 hour process then having to give all the details again. Now I'm on like the 15th working day I still haven't had a reply back from yesterday after giving my details once again absolve joke. I'm canceling my membership and they can stick the refund where the sun don't shine.

So every now and again I decide to try looking for a gym in the vain attempt that I might actually…read morego.. Then a friend recommended Spindles gym in the Britannia Hotel, Didsbury and for £18 a month, no joining fee and no contract I literally couldn't not do it. Now there's no excuse to not go. All it takes is a number 43 bus ride, get off at Withington Golf Course and you're there. They have a decent sized heated swimming pool, a spa, sauna and steam room! Also, because it's in a hotel it's usually quite quiet and not that many people use it during the day. The gym is decent enough - they describe it as fully equipped and it seems to be.. unfortunately all I really do is use the cross trainer and running machine so can't give a better description of everything else. It's a simple gym though so don't go expecting power plates or any new gizmos and gadgets. There are also Aerobic classes (included in the membership) which I have yet to try and an instructor can configure a programme for you should you need it. There's a beauty salon offering Facials, Manicures, Pedicures, Massages & Waxing which is open Wednesday to Friday every week.

Spindles Health and Leisure Club within the Britannia Hotel in West Didsbury, Manchester, should be…read morevery good, and with membership from only £20 per month it should be very good value indeed. However, the facilities are far from luxurious and would benefit from more regular and efficient cleaning and maintenance. There is a small swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room as well as a small but well-fitted gym. Spindles also offers 3 acqua aerobics classes and one aerobics exercise class per week. There is also a hairdresser and beauty salon. The gym and pool area can get quite busy as the facilities are open to hotel guests and non members as well as those with membership packages. Children are allowed in the swimming pool at certain times (and can also become members) and there is a baby pool. It could be very good indeed but.... Although the classes are advertised on the board and promotional leaflets and are included in the membership, time and time again one or other of the classes is cancelled at short notice with no alternative provision. Only two members of staff are qualified to take the classes so when they are on holiday or off sick there are no classes available (and no refunds or reductions to members who pay by direct debit). Shortage of staff often means that there are problems with the showers etc too. Oh and I didn't mention the parking. Although there is a very big car park it is used for airport parking so at holidays times it can be a nightmare to get a parking space. Some areas of the car park are in a very dire condition and never seem to be maintained. Also, quite often there are pool closures or the sauna, steam room or jacuzzi is not available for use. Currently the management have decided to close the swimming pool for two hour intervals at peak times over a four week period as it has been booked out to a company training swimming instructors. This is infuriating to members as we have to continue paying although we are denied full use of the facilities. The management do not respond to any complaints. There is no contract as such, you pay monthly and can leave without prior notice by cancelling your direct debit. It is a no win situation for members as they have to put up with the inadequacies or vote with their feet and go elsewhere. On the positive side there are some very good members of staff who have worked at Spindles for a long time and when you can actually access the swimming pool, steam room etc it can be a very pleasant experience.

The beauty of The Yoga Lounge is that they are offering something slightly different from bikram…read moreyoga - as the classes don't follow the traditional 26 poses. I feel as though classes are lot more organic, allowing the teachers to really work with the class - I swear I'm making progress already in my first two weeks! The teachers are really great, I love the variety, as each practitioner has their own flows and style of teaching. Everyone is super friendly and happy to give tips and advice after classes too. Specialising in hot yoga, the classes last between 60-75 minutes and at the moment they have three classes per day with two a day at the weekends. They also offer hot pilates, which is a great workout for your core. And plan to open a full pilates studio in the next month or so with Stott pilates, reformer and GYROTONIC® classes. It's a great set up, really well designed space and the hot room itself is a nifty piece of kit - using heat panels on the roof that allows for continual fresh air and a germ free environment to practice in (or I've been told it's something along these lines). There's an online booking system to ensure you get onto the class you want. The evening practices book up pretty quickly, but the lunchtime hour always has a few free spaces. Each class has a waiting list and for every wait list I have been on so far, I've been offered a space in the class. This is a more modern yoga alternative that fits really easily into a busy lifestyle, uniquely balanced to help improve both your fitness and inner calm.

I've never done any kind of yoga before coming to The Yoga Lounge. When you first walk in you…read moreimmediately know you're in a great space for learning how to connect mind, body and spirit. You can tell they've spared no cost, everything is top quality- the radiant heat panels, the studios, the changing rooms... A wonderful atmosphere and the teachers are warm and friendly, so even the newest yogi won't feel intimidated. I was looking for something to fit in with my life in recovery. As an ex-addict following a 12 step programme, spirituality and meditation are fundamental to my life, as well as keeping some kind of balance which is hard in 'normal life'. I struggle to concentrate in normal meditation, and find the self discipline. My first four weeks attending The Yoga Lounge have had a massively positive impact on my life and my mental well being. I've found my place and my thing in life here. The teachers are great, all with their own style and pace, and every week I've felt an improvement in my yoga though their amazing guidance in classes. Everybody needs to try this. I hope to progress and commit to yoga now, and couldn't think of anywhere better.

Great selection of equipment and very helpful staff. Clean and has 99% of everything I want in a…read moregym.

If you're not looking for luxury and don't want to be tied into a contract, but still want to work…read moreout in a gym, this is the place for you. It's £15.99 a month with a £20 joining fee (and it seems as though they occasionally waive the joining fee) on a rolling contract. This is one of the cheapest gyms in town to the best of my knowledge (Ben Dunne on Whitworth Street I think is cheaper). Here are the things I love about it: - You get a code that gets you through the main door and the freaky little entrance pods. This means you have one less card to lose/you don't have to stand around raking through your bag for it. - On the member's area of the website it tells you how often you've been to the gym and for how long each time. Good for motivation, and just handy if you like to keep track. - There are loads of machines. Even at busy times I haven't had to wait for a machine yet. The equipment all seems pretty modern too - they have spin bikes with inbuilt personal trainers. - All the classes are free (I haven't been to any yet so can't vouch for quality). Notable exceptions are that there's no pool, no sauna, and no free towels. But none of those things bother me: I don't like swimming, saunas are weird, and I can bring my own towel. Everything is clean and well-maintained. Staff seem nice though I've never had to have much to do with them. You can buy a padlock for £3 if you don't have your own. The biggest downside for me would be that the music is too loud - even with headphones on and my own music playing I can still hear it! In the fairly short time I've been a member here I've been really pleased with it - and I like that I can quit whenever I like if this stops being the case.

From the outside the Y Club looks an idyllic gym. Situated literally on the picturesque canal at…read morethe start of Castlefield, a 5 minute stroll from Deansgate, it looks like a posh gym for young professionals. The lovely little swimming pool is visible from the canal itself. So you can imagine my delight when I discovered it was relatively cheap, especially compared to gym groups such as Virgin Active or Fitness First. You can also avoid a contract and sign up for as little as 2 weeks, and it works out at around a pound per day. So alls well so far. Then i went inside. I think the point about the gym not really being for girls is valid, though I think lots of men should be added to that list too, as its only really suitable for bodybuilders who love dingy spaces as seen in American boxing films. Its small and dark, and pretty damp. Basically its no good. Its got all the equipment you need so if you want somewhere to go for just a couple of weeks then it serves a purpose, but its nowhere near as nice as it looks outside, and there are some better value gyms out there, so if it's a longer term membership you're after, give this place a miss.

Please can u extend Sunday/weekend hours.I arrived Sunday at 4.50pm to b told that the sauna shuts…read moreat 5.30 as do the machines.So if Sunday was extended to 7pm then at least theres more time i.e.till 6.30pm.Otherwise,a great place wth lovely staff,great vibes

Great gym that has everything you need... except a swimming pool/steam room/sauna…read more It also contains the usual suspects on, pretty much, all the free weights and smith machines. There is also no PT's available to get advice for free

Been a member of this gym for a few months now. I was previously member of LA Fitness. I only left…read moreLA Fitness as membership expired and instead of renewing, decided it was time for a change. Nothing wrong with LA Fitness. Pure Gym has benefits that it's pretty cheap and open 24 hours. Also it's bigger than LA Fitness so almost always able to get on treadmill. It lacks the personal touch though since u join online. None of the members of staff have ever said Hi. That's what I miss from LA Fitness. Staff would say hello now and then and being a smaller gym, got to recognise other members who went at similar times and say hi etc Not done any classes or even induction yet. As a member u do have various offers like money off hair cuts from certain places.