The Mrs managed to catch this of me yesterday before my daily swim at Withington baths currently…read moretraining for iron man triathlon event. Can't tell you how far i've come.

I'm glad that when they built the gigantic Aquatics Centre they didn't let the smaller quainter…read moreleisure centres around town turn to wreck and ruin. Whilst the Aquatics Centre is certainly more suitable for serious swimming, it is nice to have convenient local pools such as Chorlton Leisure Centre and Withington Leisure Centre. Withington Leisure Centre is home to a 25m pool, a sauna, gym and they also hold aerobics and aqua aerobics classes. Memberships are available. My friend had a student membership which she said was really good value as long as you used the facilities a couple of times a week - it's about half the price you would pay at the swanky Virgin gym at Parrs Wood. It's a little bit cheaper for a swim here than at the AC but you have to be prepared to circumnavigate loitering biddies and splashing kids as there are no lanes, and there is free swimming for under 16s and over 65s! The best thing is that you don't need to worry about finding a pound coin for the locker and lugging your pile of clothes, shampoo, towel etc around (which inevitably leaves you with soggy knickers or your towel on the bottom of the pile when you get out!). You simply leave all of your belongings in one of the cubicles around the edge of the pool. I like that traditional touch, and although this pool isn't as pretty as Victoria Baths or as functional as the Aquatics Centre, it's a good place to swim if you live in Withington or Fallowfield.

Withington 'Baths' is a seriously old school swimming pool - and has played host to entire…read moregenerations of South Mancunian schoolchildren who have been dragged their by their teachers in the pursuit of being taught how to swim. I should know, I was one of them (as was my Dad). I still have incredibly fond memories of the place - this huge Victorian monument to the pursuit of health, which towered over Withington belching out steam and chlorine fumes. The changing rooms smelt of feet, and our swimming teachers ranged from the disinterested to the downright sadistic. I still have nightmares about having to dive into the pool in my pyjamas in order to locate a plastic brick from its slimy depths. I still go to the baths occasionally for a quick swim, as well as to sweat out various accumulated impurities in its sauna. Not much has changed since my primary school days. The main tiled pool still looks slightly dilapidated, the lockers still look as though someone's been going around headbutting them, and the building still looks like an old Victorian sanitorium for the mentally disturbed. Yet, it still provides a vital service to the local Withington community, and is great value for money. And, it's nice to know that whilst Withington may be changing all the time, the baths is still a small moment of the past suspended in time - always different yet always the same.

If you're looking for an affordable place to keep fit, or just want to go casually for a swim/gym…read moresession/fitness class this place is ideal. I'm not one for being tied down. In gym contracts I mean. So, this centre is great for me. You can pay monthly for under 30 (student and Manchester city council workers have discounts) or just pay as you go. There'a pool, gym with free weights as well as cardio equipment, and a dance studio for classes. Everything you need really minus the swanky changing rooms and posh jacuzzi. But then, you're not being charged the Earth either!

This is an old building but it is a good leisure centre. It is very reasonably priced. The staff…read moreare very helpful and friendly. There is a swimming pool, fitness classes and a gym. It's best to ring and check when the schools are going to be in if you want to go to swimming during the day. The car park is right outside but does get very busy. You have to become a member of the leisure centres but if you are just visiting can become a temporary member.

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.

This is an old building but is a very good swimming pool. The pool is always clean and well…read moresupervised. The schools do use it as well so it's best to check that they are not going to be there when you go. You don't need to be a member you can just go. The car park is right outside and it's usually easy to get a space. There is a small pool for children and there are a lot of activities on during the school holidays for the children.

This gym has been open for over 10 years and it going through improvements all the time. The gym…read morehas good facilities overall which includes, steam room, sauna, hydrotherapy room, table tennis, café, ladies private gym, three separate classroom with punching bags and obviously not forgetting the two large gym areas. The car park has unfortunately been closed as the Ellesmere centre is taking it back. The gym has lines full of cardio machines and you won't be waiting for any of these types of machines. The weigh lifting area can get busy during peak times but you will this find that they have a more than one of everything to avoid queues and waiting times.

Total Fitness Wigan is a great facility but is not for everyone, it is very large and can get very…read morebusy at times so if you are somebody who can be a bit conscious while working out a smaller gym may be better. The facilities are what you would expect from a large multinational chain, there is a very large gym with lots and lots of machines, so many that you should need to wait your turn at any point, the free weights area is also very large. The pool is large and is accompanied by a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, plunge pool and Jacuzzi. If you fancy a game of squash or would like to join one of the many classes then this gym is for you.

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.

Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre is a fantastic new development near Crosby beach. It has replaced…read morethe pretty mediocre sports centre previously situated at Crosby Marina. Lakeside has retained the marine lake to perform numerous wet sports activities such as canoeing and yachting, kayaking, wind surfing and raft building. There are now lots of dry activities also available: cycling climbing and orienteering and a well appointed fitness suite. Lakeside welcome disabled and special needs visitors and people of all abilities. The facilities here are undeniably good and quite unique to the area; an invitaion for tourists and a great boost for the local economy. There is on site accommodation at "Lakeside Lodge", 14 en suite bedrooms with all guest requirements; even more incentive to visti from further afield. The dining facilities at "Lakeside Bistro" make for perfect after sports sustenance or an evening out. enjoy apertifs with sea views from the roof top terrace, or have breakfast overlooking the yachts sailing on the marina.

Nestled between the impressive houses overlooking Crosby's waterfront and the beach itself, the…read moreLakeside Activity Centre is a stones throw away from the cranes and industry of the Port of Liverpool. It looks a fairly new addition to Crosby beach, perhaps cashing in on the success of Antony Gormley's 'Another Place'. On a hot Tuesday we decided to head for the Lakeside Bistro (within the activity centre) for a cold drink and a bite to eat. The décor is modern and clean and the food is extremely well priced, we got two meals and two drinks for less than £7! I had no complaints about the bistro or its service, some of the other diners may have been less content. At one point the kitchen was temporarily closed so it could deal with a back log of orders and the large queue of hungry beach goers looked decidedly put out. The bistro looks out onto its stunning surroundings and also onto the fantastic children's play area, from which my fiancée had to hold me back.