Online since 2000
Manchester will soon have a gold postbox celebrating the medal-winning achievement of local cyclist Sarah Storey. Gyms in Manchester provide plenty of chances for more Mancunians to get into shape.
Gyms in Manchester are sited throughout the city, so no-one has to travel too far for the fitness machines, workout or swimming pool of their choice. The council-run gyms operate under the Manchester Sports and Leisure Trust, and memberships for these cover all the eighteen venues. Wherever you work or live in the city, there is bound to be somewhere within easy travelling distance.
The city has several showpiece venues. Pride of place for the swimmers is the Manchester Aquatic Centre, which was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and features two fifty-metre Olympic-sized main pools, a diving pool, a fun pool with slides and a well-equipped fitness centre. The Aquatic Centre is the training venue for the Paralympic Swimming Squad who are having a very successful games. It is run by the Manchester Sports and Leisure Trust and so is accessible to all.
For those inspired by Sarah Storey, whose shortened left arm does not stop her from almost meeting the Olympic cycling standards as well as flattening the competition in the Paralympics, the National Cycling Centre and Velodrome is the place to be. Situated a short distance from the city centre, the venue has Britain’s first indoor Olympic-standard race track which is in constant use, as well as a BMX track, indoor netball and badminton courts and many other facilities. An indoor BMX centre with capacity for 2000 spectators is under construction at the site. Novices to banked-track riding can sign up for faster access to sessions – bikes and helmets are provided so all you need to do is whizz round the velodrome and test your nerve! If this becomes the start of a hobby then there are lessons and clubs to join to welcome you to the world of velodrome cycling.
As well as these international-level facilities, dozens of smaller gyms in Manchester provide opportunities for all fitness levels and interests. Everything from boxing to martial arts to spinning to Zumba is provided somewhere, and gyms vary from the budget ‘swipe card entry, no staff’ places to luxurious venues where everything is provided right down to the towel and the premium toiletries. So there is no excuse for being unfit in Manchester!
For venue information, travel directions, user reviews and great deals at pay-as-you-go gyms in Manchester and throughout the UK.
Online since 2000