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.

Best gym I have ever joined. Nice and friendly. The staff are always on hand to offer help and…read moreadvice and are very professional. There are lots of different classes to choose from and there is also a cyber coach where you can choose your own activity. If you attend on a regular basis the difference in fitness and shape is very noticeable. All other members are friendly and I have made some good friends

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.

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

the best decisions I made for my health and fitness. I was already a relatively active person but I…read morewas curious to see what I'd gain from a personal trainer. From research, Ben looked like one of the top reviewed trainers in Manchester yet very reasonably priced. I have learned so much in the 18 months I've been training with him. Ben focuses on weight training - the area of the gym I used to shy away from! - but as well as an instructor you effectively get a nutritionist, life coach, and all round lovey guy! He somehow manages to make every lesson enjoyable, and the learning I've gained on diet and wellness will stay with me throughout life. I do both single and double lessons with my partner - I really enjoy both types. Having rarely done weight training before Ben (I pretty much only did cardio) I will also admit I was slightly skeptical when I started; to find I'd been training the wrong way pretty much all my life! Keep with it and you will come to the same conclusion as I did!

I have been training with Ben for almost two years. I was very apprehensive about going to the gym…read moreat all but Ben was very patient and accommodating and was able to tailor a training plan around my capabilities and goals. He is very knowledgeable and it is clear he has a lot of experience which means that he is able to deliver a personalised and focussed training to each of his clients. Would highly recommend Ben to anyone.

I've just started using this gym. I do like it the time table, lots of spinning…read more I like the changing rooms, dark wood lockers and lots of room. There are a number of stations where you can sort out your hair and make up. There is also a steam room and cold shower which is good for relaxing in after a really hard workout. The staff are help and seems to be in to fitness.

This is the first time I have wished that I could give more than 5 stars…read more They seemed to be more into service and not the horrible pushy hard sell that other gyms are into. The people working there showed me the facilities and also let me have my own space to look around. They were so helpful and when I only had jeans, one of the people even lent me his personal spare clean shorts. He also would not accept anything for the laundry when I gave them back to him and was just all round amazing. I was staying at The Premier Inn hotel and so using it for the day waa £5 instead of £10. This is a great sincere gym for people who are serious about training, really friendly and does not have the annoying slimy sales person stuff that other chains have.

Since I continue to go here, I think it is unfair to give it a one star, so I am going to update…read morethe review again. Basically, the gym itself is good: it has been recently renovated, staff are friendly and helpful, showers, lockers, and fantastic class teachers. You can use all three gyms, which is also good news. BUT: It is full, and the gym continues to do promotions to get even more new members. So if you dream about joining class, I strongly advise you to do that as early as possible, usually three days before, otherwise you have to go on a waiting list and check your email every two minutes, since there are usually 10 people on the waitlist, and you have to compete with them to get the spot.

I've been a member for almost 10 years but will be cancelling my membership. The class timetable…read morehas changed and they no longer do as many of the Aerobic classes (having replaced them with their own version, which just isn't for me). The changing rooms at all 3 city centre clubs are in dire need of refurbishment (especially Whitworth st). I've joined lifestyle - it's much cheaper, staff are more professional and classes are great and easy to book onto.

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.