And you don't need to be a member to go
IF you want to shake up your fitness programme with new workouts, new friends, and new skills, check out the extensive programme of exercise classes at The Y Club in Castlefield. They somehow squeeze in over 90 of them a week.
Anyone can go to the classes – members and non-members. And the drop-in cost is just £5-a-class, making it one of the cheapest workout options around. (Classes are free for Y Club members.)
Couple that with first-class facilities, a city centre location, and some of the best trainers in the city, and you'll see why the Y Club is one of Manchester's longest-running health clubs.
So what's on offer? Classes include everything from kettlebells in the dark with disco lights, to Les Mills BODYPUMP, to circuit training, to free weights, to spinning and zumba.
Here's our pick of the 90+ options available to you – for a full timetable, click here.
Our pick of Y Club's 90+ classes
Top for cardio: BODYPUMP
If you want to get lean, toned and fit fast, give Les Mills BODYPUMP a go. It's a full-body barbell workout using light to moderate weights with lots of repetition – and it can burn up to 540 calories in one session. With lots of encouragement from the coaches and great music, it's uplifting and addictive. Monday and Wednesday from 6.30pm-7.30pm. Call to book on 0161 837 3535.
Top for martial arts: Muay Thai
Want to get fit, improve your muscle tone, and build your confidence at the same time? Muay Thai boxing could be for you. Meaning 'unarmed combat', a Muay Thai class combines fast, powerful striking techniques with kicks, knees, elbows and punching. It's suitable for every level of fitness – and is by all accounts a lot of fun. 7.30pm-8.30pm, Monday and Thursday. Call to book on 0161 837 3535.
Top for strength and conditioning: Kettlebells
Combining strength training with cardio (with none of the boredom of plodding for hours on a running machine), a kettlebell class is a fast, effective way to get a leaner, more toned figure. It's a whole body workout with a particular focus on core strength, and is great for injury prevention because it strengthens your tendons and ligaments. 7.15am-8am Wednesday. 5.55pm-6.40pm Thursday. 12.30pm-1pm Friday. Call to book on 0161 837 3535.
Top for low impact: Aqua Aerobics
Held in the Y Club's own 18-metre swimming pool, this aqua aerobic class gives you an effective workout while protecting your joints and muscles. It's low impact but still gets results and is perfect for all levels of fitness. 11am-11.45am Tuesday and Thursday. Call to book on 0161 837 3535.
Top for mind and body: Iyengar Yoga
Work on your mental well-being as well as your physical fitness with an Iyengar yoga class. It's a spiritual practice with an emphasis on detail, precision and alignment, with blocks and belts often used to help you perform the postures correctly. 10.45am-12pm Thursday, 6.30pm-8pm Friday. Call to book on 0161 837 3535.
