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.

Really nice area for the kids and there is WiFi so you can let kids play while you tend t that book…read morethat you always wanted to read but kids may not allow. Don't forget to take some tome out to play with them while here. Time with kids are a treasure and it will only be a matter of time before they don't want to spend time with you. Let's not forget we all were teenagers at some point in time.

Anglers everywhere have been flocking to Leatherbarrow Angling centre since the late 1960's to have…read moretheir fly-fishing rods custom made and tailored to their needs. It is quite a large shop, well organised with a full range of rods and fishing tackle a far cry from my butterfly net I used to use when I was a child. I popped in to have a mooch around, not because I believe that I will catch the largest pike in Britain and have my photo with aforementioned pike plastered across all the broadsheets, but because my god-son has expressed an interest in fishing and I thought I would check this very British past-time out. Colin Leatherbarrow, owner and expert regarded me with an expression of bemusement as I tottered to the counter in my four inch stilettos and asked him to show me a rod.... oh dear. With slightly twitching lips he told me to bring the god-son in and he could talk him through what he will need to get started. He sells and makes carp and specialist rods from £125, fly rods from £150 and there are so many different types and specifications that my head began to hurt. My mind drifted away from rods and my gaze fell on a stuffed framed fish on the wall which gave the shop a fishy authenticity. By this time I was far too embarrassed to ask Colin if this was one of his catches but well done if it was because this was a monster! Perhaps this shop is a little too advanced for my god-son and should be left for the more experienced angler to visit. Maybe I should dig out my butterfly net and give it to him after all.

Great shop and used too go in back the 1980s used to sea fish with Colin Master rod builder on the…read moreAlexandra Docks and Backpool glad to find your shop is still open and making great rods.Made me and my m8 Big Kev 2 vary nice Cono-flex cod rods

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.

Old Trafford, currently known as Emirates Old Trafford for sponsorship reasons, is one of two "Old…read moreTrafford" stadiums in Manchester, one is home to Manchester United Football Club, while this one is used for cricket and concerts. The capacity for cricket is between 19k and 26k, while concerts can reach a capacity of up to 50,000. It is the second oldest test venue in the country after The Oval. Hosted the first Ashes Test in England in 1884, as well as the Cricket World Cup on five occasions. In terms of concerts, it has hosted big names, including Harry Styles, Beyonce and Rihanna. It was also home to One Love Manchester in 2017, which raised money for the Manchester Arena attacks and featured Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Coldplay. The stadium also has a recently expanded hotel, which features over 250 rooms, including some which have a balcony overlooking the pitch. I have reviewed the Hilton Garden Inn Emirates Old Trafford separately at the listing below. https://www.yelp.co.uk/biz/hilton-garden-inn-manchester-emirates-old-trafford-manchester While I don't find the stadium too expensive and it's just like any other cricket stadium for me- the facilities are very good. The hotel and concert capacity are certainly useful, as well as the connections via public transit due to being right outside Old Trafford Metrolink Station. There is also a large car park, although I have only used this when staying at the hotel and I'm sure it is very busy on an event day. It's certainly worth a trip if you're a cricket supporter, as the home of Lancashire Cricket, it's arguably the most famous used for cricket in the north. 4*

Got amazing seats but a pretty small cricket ground. Good selection of beers and variety of food…read more Loved our experience watching India England game here.

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.

Do you ever wish that you had more trampoline fun in your life? I know I do…read more Jump Nation claim to have Europe's largest indoor trampoline area, which I dismissed initially as marketing garb, until I saw the place with my own eyes. In need of somewhere suitable to take two hyperactive nephews, when I saw a billboard advertising their opening in Trafford Park I searched for them online and booked us in for an hour's slot (it cost £30 for three of us). When I told them we were going I got serious 'cool points' I tell you, it's the current big thing to go here apparently... Though located in an area of distribution warehouses (watch out for the articulated lorries), the centre is easy to find. It doesn't have many parking spaces, but you can leave your car on Textilose Road. They recommend you arrive at least 15 minutes before your time slot so that you can book in and get the rubber gripped non-slip socks (you're required to wear these and can keep them for next time - there's a £1.50 charge for each pair included in the booking fee). Free lockers are next to the ground floor cafe where you can leave your belongings. Once you're ready you're asked to queue up for the safety briefing before being let loose into the 'arena'. I have to say the staff were excellent, professional yet with a sense of fun. Ensue the carnage. Picture dozens of kids and a small number of hapless adults bouncing around on wall to wall trampolines. My only quibble was the number of people allowed in at one time - you really had to keep your full attention so as not to send some unfortunate seven-year-old catapulting into the roof space. As well as the trampolines there's a large foam pit where you can practice your tricks - this was the most popular area and the staff were diligently supervising. I have to say I had way more fun in that (long and exhausting) hour than I expected, but I wish I wasn't wearing jeans as they restrict your movement so I couldn't be as 'gazelle-like' as I wanted! Needless to say they both want their next birthday parties here - they absolutely loved it and didn't realise they were getting exercise: win win! Tip: you're allowed to take photos but only from the side of the arena (no phones or items in your pockets whilst you bounce). Tip: you can bring your own bottled water / soft drinks.

We showed up at noon at what we thought was a schoolday to find the place full of kids, which was a…read morelittle surprising, but it's very well organised and they stagger entry so you don't have so many kids around you're at major risk of kicking one of them in the face by accident (although keep an eye out, because you will if you're not paying attention!). I don't think I saw any other adults here by themselves (which was not surprising, given it was the middle of a weekday) and overall I wouldn't recommend it for a adults-only outing. The trampolines are small and don't have a great deal of bounce - my 6'4 boyfriend got a sore back pretty quickly! There was a massive queue for the foam pit so we didn't try it. It also doesn't have much atmosphere/aesthetic appeal. For kids though, it's good.

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