UPDATED FOR 2016
ALLOW me to paint an all too familiar festive picture.
Prices listed for peak time memberships.
It’s Boxing Day and you’re lying spread eagled on the sofa, massaging your post Christmas dinner bloat. Although you’re still full from all the food you’ve consumed so far, you’re determined to tackle a mammoth left-over turkey sandwich and what remains in the Quality Street tin.
It’s usually a little after this moment you declare to the Gods and anyone who’ll listen that you've made the resolute decision to join the gym in the New Year. Come wind, rain or shine, you’ll force yourself to run on a treadmill, you’ll lift, you’ll jump, swim, cross train and squat yourself into the svelte version of yourself. You swear.
To set you off on your journey to a far less hedonistic and gluttonous 2016, we've compiled a list of the cheapest and dearest gyms in Manchester. From the sweat-boxes stuffed with top-heavy protein shake guzzlers, to the yoga havens that will have you contorting your legs around your face in no time.
Prices listed for peak time memberships.
DEAREST (MEMBERSHIP OVER £30)
DAVID LLOYD | £96 Peak Time
Barton Embankment, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 8RH
David Lloyd claim to be much 'more than a gym', and by the looks of the grand health club, it's a luxury lifestyle that will set you back a few bob. The health club boasts state of the of the art facilities and encourages members to pick up a racket sport. They've also unveiled a £1.2 million refurbishment in 2014. With a number of packages, we think it's best to ring up for a tailored priceplan. For peak time membership on a rolling contract over 12 months you can gain full access of the gym and spa facillities (including use of the racket courts) for a cost of £96. You'll also get access to a personal trainer, work space and cafés. It really is a little luxury.
David LloydNUFFIELD HEALTH | £46 Monthly
Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester, M4 2BS, 0161 820 2575
Formerly Virgin Active, Printworks’ Nuffield Health is a stylish gym with a lot to offer facilities-wise – including a swimming pool and physiotherapy service. True to name, Nuffield Health say the most important thing to them ‘is your health’ so also offer professional health care services, and a ‘team of health experts’ to offer you the support you need to lead a healthier lifestyle. On a £46 per month contract for twelve months, you’ll receive two free health ‘MOTS’ with their wellbeing personal trainers, a personalised exercise programme and access to Nuffield Health experts such as physiotherapists, physiologists, personal trainers and nutritional therapists.
SIENNA SPA AND HEALTH CLUB | Premier: from £65 (monthly) - £1,100 (couples annually)
Radisson Blu Edwardian, Free Trade Hall, Peter St, M2 5GP
Under the listed arches of the Radisson Blu, Free Trade Hall you can sweat it out in luxurious surroundings. We'd suggest buying a smart Nike gym-set and leave the baggy sweatpant and oversized t-shirt at home. Premier packages can reach up to £1,100 annually for couples and £650 for one individual. The premier packages start from £65 monthly or £59.95 per month if you sign up for a 12 month membership and include one spa treatment per month. If money's a little tight there are also more reasonable daytime membership prices at £36.
Sienna Spa LIVING WELL GYM at The Hilton | £40 monthly
03 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LQ
A good view can transform the monotony of treadmill pounding into something a little less mind-numbingly boring. The Living Well gym based in Manchester's 47 storey Beetham Tower allows you to pant away and people watch while looking over Deansgate, in its quaint yet luxury health club. I was offered £40 month (£28 corporate rate) with full access to the sauna, steam room, pool and gym at any time. Opens from 6am until 10pm.
VIRGIN ACTIVE SALFORD QUAYS | £57 per month (£20 joining fee) / £66 full flexi monthly pass.
Unit F31 Lowry Outlet Mall, The Quays, M50 3AH
Virgin Active Salford Quays relaunched earlier this year with a 4.5 million makeover. The gym is glorious. The refurb has seen the club’s gym floor, group exercise studios, changing rooms and swimming pool transformed with an additional 1400 square feet being added to the club. The club now features Virgin Active’s most popular innovation of 2015 ‘The Grid’, a functional training space where members can take one of four high-intensity 30 minute classes, each one based on six core movements of push, pull, squat, lunge, twist and bend. The shiny new gym includes sauna, steam room.
Salford QuaysCROSSFIT Q DOS GYMS | £80 per month, unlimited membership
Wilstream House, Longstone Road, Herald Green, Manchester, M22 5LB
This is the perfect gym for anyone looking to get strong and rippling with Crossfit, strongbox and conditioning training. Q DOS gyms consider themselves a gym with ‘soul’ and have created an exercise arena ‘where everyone can feel they can get the very best out of whatever training they wish to do’. They also guarantee you will join a community and make friends. The Q DOS gym buffs teach a combination of popular and hardcore Crossfit training (lots of weights, pull-ups and macho grunting). Here you'll benefit from hands-on training and lots of membership fitness deals.
CHEAPEST (MEMBERSHIP UNDER £30)
LIFESTYLE FITNESS | £19.99 per month/ £24.00 per month without contract (£20 joining fee)
The Great Northern, 253 Deansgate, Manchester, Lancashire, M3 4EN
Lifestyle Fitness is a stylish budget gym worth having a gander at (it’s also filled with seasoned bodybuilder types that are worth having a look at too). The boutique-size gym is packet with hi-tech facilities, 80 strength conditioning tools, a ladies-only gym, two spacious conditioning rooms and bunch of exercise classes. There's also a little coffee shop on hand for you to get your daily caffeine kick. Popular with both regular gymmers and newbies.
Lifestyle fitnessY CLUB | £29 - £42
Liverpool Rd, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4JR
Y Club states that it's 'the largest and friendliest gym' in Manchester. Considering the gym isn't a pleasurable experience for many, it's a comforting statement to make. Although one of the pricier gyms on offer the gym prides itself on being good value for money, by giving its clients access to many classes, a swimming pool and other top facilities. Y Club offer a range of memberships for their clients including student, family, corporate peak and off peak membership packages. They suggest calling ahead to make sure they have the right package for you. They’re also offering a bunch of offers in January so take advantage in the new year.
PURE GYM | £19.99 monthly
3 Hardman Street, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3HF
One of the heroes of all bargain gyms, Pure Gym offer a £19.99 per month membership (including £25 joining fee) if you book online. There's no contract and with the gym open 24 hours a day there's no excuse not to go.
Pure Gym
MANCHESTER AQUATICS CENTRE | £19.99 - £29.99 monthly
2 Booth Street East, M13 9SS
Best known for having an indoor water slide and being 'one of the biggest and best swimming facilities in the country', Manchester Aquatics Centre offer great packages to use across its health and fitness suites, exercise classes and of course, the swimming pool. Great for budding swimmers and all-rounders. For a monthly fee of £29 you can have access to health suite, gym and swimming pool.
BANNATYNE | £25.99 monthly
Sunlight House, Quay St, Manchester, M3 3JU
One of the cheaper health clubs in the city centre. The recently upgraded Bannatyne currently offer full membership at £25.99 to use at its Quay Street branch. Membership includes use of Bannatynes heated pool and sauna. Also offering spa facilities, this health club is an affordable luxury for those watching the pennies in the New Year.
BannatyneTHE GYM GROUP | £16.99 per month
Here's a tempting gym bargain. The Gym Group are offering membership to its 24 hour gym from £16.99 No excuses here then.
