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 :-)

At the end of platt fields are astro turf pitches after astro turf pitches all bathed in…read morefloodlight. This football mad complex is the Man city academy, delivering the stars of tomorrow. For locals you can play football many different ways here with indoor and outdoor pitches with stands that cater for the fans with every home game. For those who want the best deal around though, its 70 pounds for a year's membership in the gym. This moderately equipped space has plenty of cardio machines from bikes to rowers. There's a small weights section that can become cramped quite often. But you get what you pay for and at £70 this place is a steal. The gym also has a big car park, bike locks, showers and changing facilities and the staff are very helpful. This could be the tip of a new fitness regime!

I've been playing here for 5 years. Their facilities are magnificent and the staff are friendly…read moreand helpful. Remember to book in advance as they have regular slots. It's losing its mcfc branding soon due to mcfc's new facilities in East Manc. It's staying open though so don't worry too much. Losing the branding is no bad thing if you're a red like me

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

My conscience is telling me to modify my rating of Moss Side Leisure Centre, that is probably one…read moreof the places where I spend most time in Manchester. This is due to some issues that arose over the last month. First of all, the policy about classes has changed, and now it's necessary to register at the counter before each session, whereas up to a few weeks ago it was enough to take the receipt of your booking using the screen at the entrance. This is often causing very long queues, and it's actually incredible if people manage to get to their classes on time. There is a stupid detail that made me think members of staff don't care enough about checking regularly the gym: in one of the rooms all the weights of less than 4kg mysteriously disappeared. I found it funny when my instructor said: "Well, try and do this exercise using 5kg, cause someone stole the lighter ones. If it's too hard you can reduce the number of reps." It's almost two weeks now, and they haven't yet reappeared. All in all, the place is always enjoyable; staff is very nice and the instructors are usually willing to help and give an induction even without booking an appointment.

I tried out Manchester Aquatic and the Y before deciding on this one. The deciding factors were 1)…read moremembership sale -- £95 for 6 months (the sale is now over) 2) proximity to my house and 3) machines. Facilities: steamroom, dry sauna, pool, about 3 rooms for squash etc, two adequately-sized rooms for machines, weightroom. Prices: You can get a free membership for 7 days, but you need to book the induction appointment first in order to use the machines (also free). Call a few days in advance to book the induction, which is very thorough (!) and will take 30-40 minutes. -The normal non-student membership price as of Ferbruary 2012 was £23.99 monthly without contract, or £18.99 with annual contract. There was also a 4 week pass for £25. Pros: - The machines in the front room by the entrance seem to be constructed for people who are neither massive nor tall. I'm short and skinny, so this was perfect for me. - Other than the weight room, other areas of the gym never seemed too crowded. I very rarely had to wait to use a machine in the front room. - Attentive staff in workout areas - Good mix of different ages, genders, races: mostly working class, some yuppies - Easy and free parking - Affordability Cons: - If you basically use a gym for the free weights, the most popular room seems to be that one, as it's often packed to the gills. I recommend showing up about an hour towards closing, when it seems to thin out. - During busy times, the spacing of the machines in the back room is a bit tricky; once or twice, I was concerned about accidentally hitting a guy who was using a mat which had been placed next to my machine (why the mat was there to begin with, I have no idea.) - Their pool isn't huge like at Manchester Aquatic. To use the pool, you should check the schedule beforehand, because some days and some nights are booked up for private groups. Note: Access to Chorlton Park gym is included with a Moss Side membership last I checked, and karate is held at Chorlton Park-- but, karate costs extra. At some other gyms such as the Y, you can buy a membership that includes unlimited martial arts. I don't play basketball, but in case you're looking for a gym with a court, call ahead and find out if they have one-- I didn't notice one there.

Sienna Spa is the Spa and Health Club found within the Radisson Edwardian, Manchester. Built on the…read moresite of historic barrel vaults, this inner sanctuary has a sense or calm and stillness far removed from busy city life. If you want luxury, pampering and fitness - then this is your place. The spa and health club are never packed full and on numerous occasions I have had the swimming pool to myself. The pool is 1.4m deep and approximately 15 x 10 metres. There is a chill out area surrounding the pool, along with a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. The gym offers a good range of equipment, including two running machines, three cross trainers, four bikes, one rowing machine, two weights machines and more. There is also a weights room for those wanting to focus! After exercising, the changing rooms have powerful hot showers with Gilchrist and Soames shower gel, shampoo and conditioner. Also great hairdressers and straightners for the ladies! Want some pampering? There are various packages - a day or couple of hours etc. Facials and massages tried and tested - and I would highly recommend them. If you go for the Premier club (gym, pool, sauna etc) membership you get a complimentary spa treatments per month - so cool! Lush green apples are beautifully displayed for you to munch on after exercising or your pampering session and two choices of newspapers to read as you chill out. Cost wise - pretty good value for what you get. Love it love it!

Sienna is central Manchester's most luxurious spa facility with its relaxed atmosphere, friendly…read moreand professional staff and contemporary facilities it offers the perfect opportunity to chill out. The club is inside The Radisson Edwardian. The Health Club includes a spacious new gym offering the latest in easy to use fitness equipment. A stunning indoor pool, luxury spa bath, sauna and steam room. Wow!

Master A's meets my criteria because: 1. Muay thai-trained…read moreteacher from Thailand. 2. Cardio workout. 3. Good muay thai technique. 4. Home to pro fighters (which speaks to the quality of training). 5. Clean enough (for a martial arts gym, mind you). 6. Reasonable fees (despite the posted policies, which seem prohibitive, the proprietor is welcoming and accommodating). 7. Friendly people. I have only two minor qualms: The gym is small and classes can be cramped. The schedule isn't very flexible. There are only two classes offered per day, and the earlier class is for beginners and mostly kids. That leaves 5 adult/intermediate classes per week and little open mat time.

Traditional city pub, knowledgeable staff, very well-kept ale, comfortable seating and beautiful…read moreheritage interior. There's a fussball table I hadn't noticed before! Titanic plum porter and Tiger Rut were both on tap (cask) when we last visited - great to have such a range of light to dark even in the summer months.

'Pint or a half?' A…read morehop and skip from the architectural wonder of the Bridgewater Hall is Peveril of The Peak. Like the nearby Briton's Protection, it's one of Manchester's original drinking dens and one of the few places to escape modernisation. Outside is a mix of shocking pea and pastel green tiles whilst inside there's three different rooms with a distinctive 1970s feel. The walls are decorated with pub memorabilia and faded photos of celebrity musicians and actors whilst the jukebox is stacked with lots of Mancunian hits. There's also a pool table, dart board and bar stools encouraging conversation and friendly banter rather than getting legless or watching a widescreen TV. Prices are reasonable for the city centre and the staff are friendly. I'm more of a spirits girl than a beer swiller but for those that like a pint at the end of a long day, they have Deuchars, Tiger, Jennings Cumberland and Copper Dragon Golden Pippin ales on tap.

The rainbow did have a different name when I first started going ..I had the best times there…read more..with friends late night games . There's was a bar I think snacks ... Read it was ruff ..people from everywhere was there . Doing there own thing ....what a place big love and it will be sadly missed ...saved me a few times the rainbow ..back in 90s I started going ..never felt safer in there .....

So maybe it's a little rough around the edges, the tables have seen some use, the decor some abuse…read morebut isn't that what you want from a pool room? Surely half the experience is about the dirty glass, the moody lighting and the dodgy character eyeing you up for a hussle? The way I see it if Paul Newman had ever brought his queue to Manchester, Rainbow is where he'd have taken it. The edge of town location is perfect for keeping things low key and the prices of both the drinks and the tables are much more reasonable than some of the more central snooker halls. My only complaint is that things just aren't the same since the smoking ban kicked off- I'm a non smoker but even I can appreciate the romance those killer fumes brought to the table.