I've been pole dancing for three years now and in that time I've tried out four different…read morepole/aerial schools. Cloud Aerial Arts is by far the best. This is mainly down to the owner Maria, who is a fantastic teacher. She's very encouraging, inclusive and always remembers where you're up to progress-wise. One thing I like about this aerial school is that classes are quite structured. Each month Maria provides you with a series of moves to work on, which make up a routine. This is based on your level, whether beginner, intermediate or advanced. Everyone in the class is friendly and supportive, and it's a really welcoming and unintimidating space. You can now buy the Cloud Pass for £100 a month which means you can attend all classes in both the City Centre (Studio 25 on Church Street) and the Sky Loft (which is the main studio on Ancoats). There are 7 classes a week, so that works out as a really cheap £3.50ish a class if you can get to everything. The Ancoats studio has free parking too. The classes are pole dance, aerial hoop, aerial silks, acrobalance and stretch, as well as workshops for hula hoop, belly dance and other fun things in the sky :D If you're after a place to try out all of these fun things, I would definitely opt for Cloud Aerial Arts. Life is better upside down!

By far the best dance studio and classes in the local area. My kids have been going since they were…read more3 and still love it 3 years later. Very friendly staff. Brilliant for kids. Give it a try. Guaranteed your kids will love it.

The best dance school in the area. We both had a great time learning to dance at Reedersread more

I come to Sugden fairly often, mainly to play badminton with my friends. I must say that prices for…read morebadminton courts are very reasonable, but I don't find the service much good. Once all the fields were taken, even if we had booked one and we were there on time, yet no one was there to check that players were respecting their times. Lockers are provided to drop your stuff, but you have to pay 20p to use one. I considered signing to Sugden just after moving to Manchester because it's very close to uni. Therefore I took their gym induction to give a look at the place and at the machines. The gym is ok, not very big to tell the truth. I was actually rather disappointed with the induction itself, cause it lasted only five minutes, the instructor just hastily showed us the rooms, we didn't even have time to try any machines. Also, we were more than ten people taking the induction, and I was expecting something more serious and personalized since I was paying for it.

I'm not a student at Manchester University, but one of my best friends is and that means that I get…read moreto in to Sugden Sports Centre every week to play a bit of badminton. There are loads of sports halls and courts and stuff here, so lots of space to do whatever sport you're into - be that squash, badminton, basketball, circuit training, etc. If you're playing badminton like we do, then it costs just over a fiver to hire a court for an hour once you're a member. This isn't too expensive, especially when it's split between the two of us. The one thing that annoys me here just a tiny bit is the fact that you have to pay 20p for a locker and you don't get it back. It's quite cheeky to get you to pay for the privilege of having your stuff safe whilst you're exercising. Surely, after membership and court hire, that should just be a given.

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!

David Lloyd is the 5 star hotel of the gym world. It is all about appearances and the polished…read morewooden parquet flooring and immaculate squash courts look like they will not tolerate their patrons in anything but designer gym gear and the latest trainer. Well, thats me shot then- I am quite happy pumping some iron in my velour tracksuit bottoms from Primark that have seen better days and my faded Superman vest top, but this will not do at David Lloyd, oh no! The receptionists here are a little scary, they remind me of my Home Economics teacher at school who would take no-nonsense from anybody and gym members give audible sighs of relief when they get past these formidable gatekeepers. The gym itself is gorgeous and the facilities are unparalleled. There are 8 indoor and 4 outdoor tennis courts, 4 badminton courts and 3 squash courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a kids' splash pool. The gym is large and full with the latest gym equipment but I find its open plan layout slightly intimidating. You almost feel like a dressage pony on display as you battle the stepper but you can distract yourself with the tv screens dotted around. The wet facilities are superb and I have to admit, I will work out for 30 mins but spend three times as long in the lovely steam room, sauna and whirlpool jacuzzi. David Lloyd is all about the changing rooms; totally gorgeous and clean, they have hairdryers and you don't have to risk electrocution or embarrassment by sticking your head underneath an awkward hand dryer. This is not just a gym, it is a day out! The restaurant is great and you can undo all your good work and have a tasty sandwich or larger lunch if you fancy. There is an internet cafe and a tv lounge to relax in, and a hair and beauty salon- this is a posh home away from home. There is a great creche with lovely staff to mind your cherubs( for a fee of course) and I would totally endorse it. There has to be a but though hasn't there? The "but" here is the membership fee- it is a pricey deal here and I will not lie that you can go abroad for the same amount as the gym's annual fee. My quote for full membership was nearly £900 a year and although there are several levels of membership packages- a useful 3 month flexible membership has caught my eye- you are over paying for the privilege of this place. Posers paradise, stunning sauna, cracking changing rooms and amazing atmosphere is David Lloyd in a nutshell.

This gym looked the part as we were shown around by a member of staff and told of all the wonderful…read morebe if it's a family can have working out together, swimming and generally enjoying our time at the gym. However, once a member the reality sets in. Children under 10 cannot use the facilities in the gym and can only swim with a life guard on duty. This was not the information they tell you upon joining and only when you try and use the facilities are you informed of the restrictions. The life guards are almost never on duty even when the weather is amazing and you feel like using the outdoor pool. As others have stated it is a posers palace but not the clean nice place that others think it is. If the reception on 5* then they must think premier inn is a five star hotel. Facilities are basic and not in great shape and whole place is tried. During COVID things have gotten much worst and therefore I'm staying away from what now must be COVID central. Low standards of hygiene and have just been informed that air con is not working and the spa is closed due to technical issues. £168 a month for a family of 3 and most of it is off limits. No thank you.

I joined the centre when I moved to Manchester because of its convenience. There are around 5…read moreclasses a night including boxercise, aerobics, LBT, aqua aerobics and body conditioning. It seems to be the same woman who runs them all, so they are quite similar. There is a guy who does the boxing ones and cardio classes. It is a really nice centre set in an old building - doesnt look like a gym from the outside. Inside they have one gym hall which has lots of weights, resistance bands, steps and exercise bars. All the classes I have been to I have really enjoyed - would be nice if she got a different cd though! The gym upstairs is good - plenty of equipment. It tends to get a bit busy at around 5.30 to 7 but thats to be expected from any gym I guess. They also have a 25m swimming pool that I have only used once but enjoyed using it. There is a sauna, lockers and changing rooms. They have kids lessons and ladies only swimming and sauna sessions. There is a vending machine as well. In the gym they have all the usual weights, rowers, treadmills, cross trainers and bikes unfortunately no steppers. A good friendly gym if you dont want the craziness of a massive city centre gym. I paid £209 for a years student membership but they also have a 9 month one.

FX leisure is a family run business and own many gyms in the Manchester area. As gyms are…read moreeverywhere these days, everyone who has a spur to lose weight and become healthier, look for something a little bit different. This leisure club claim they are different and they are in a way. They have many offers for new customers such as 50% off guest membership. Inside it is large and there is plenty to do here so your membership does really stretch from gym classes to yoga etc. They have spin classes and also relaxing rooms after your workout. If i joined a gym which I am looking at doing, then I would join this one. It is a top gym in the Tameside area.