Virgin Active

As far as health clubs/​gyms/​fitness centres (call it what you want) go, I can’t think of any other franchise offering as much as Virgin Active.
I’ve been a member since April last year and I can’t complain about many things.
For starters they’re located at Parrswood Centre, 5 minutes walk from East Didsbury train station and tram terminus. They have a sprawling floor space with extensive weight training machines and an exhaustive selection of free weights, dumbbells, kettlebells etc.
They also used to have a women’s only workout area (but they’re undergoing a refurb at the moment).
In addition to the weights training area they have enough equipment and machines such as treadmills, ellipticals etc for cardio enthusiasts.
They have two studios where they have group fitness classes (which are free if you are a member, by the way). This is particularly useful for my wife as she’s on an offpeak only membership and is a trained classical indian dancer. So she can walk in during quiet times and use these halls for her dance practice.
They also have a separate studio for spin classes.
In addition to all this, there is a swimming pool which is between 20 anad 25 metres long and about 1.2 metres deep with lane swimming and free swimming sections for adults. There is also a children’s swimming pool. Both pools are monitored by pool guards to ensure safety.
The poolside also has a hot tub (possibly Jacuzzi) and a steam room.
There are separate change rooms for men, women and family. The men’s and women’s changerooms also have separate steam rooms.
They have a café with a decent menu and Costa coffee. They do not, however accept your costa coffee points cards as they have their own loyalty system.
My only gripe is that the weights section gets quite crowded during peak hours and sometimes it’s a bit of a ‘meh’ factor as in, the human mind, just like electricity and flowing water, tends to follow the path of least resistance. So crowded gym means, no room to workout, so let’s go to Nando’s next door or the Balti house across the street ;).
Memberships are pricey, however, on the balance of probabilities I enjoy going here and impressed enough to give it 4 stars. As always I hope they maintain their levels of service.

Far and away the best gym in Manchester. The experience you get here is less like going to the gym and more like going to a spa. Going for a work out doesn’t feel like a chore; but a pleasure. Who ever thought excercise could be so luxurious?
Here there is a pool, sauna, steam room, sunbeds, beauty treatment centre, full gym (complete with a women only section) rooms for classes, crèche AND a café. It leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.
This all comes at a cost, membership prices vary depending on the offers avaiable at the time but roughly it costs around £50 a month unless you are a student then it is only £38. I think this is expensive but is justifiable if you you enojy going to the gym; and with a gym like this how can you not?

Virgin Active is, of course, renowned for its excellent gyms and leisure centers, and this one in Parrs Wood is no different.
The large spacious luxury gym here features all the gym equipment you could possibly need in abundance, from treadmills, rowing machines and bikes through to free weights and mats to state-​of-​the-​art muscle-​building machines and abdominal tightners. It even as the latest power plate technology for those who want extra help toning up. This is considered cheating by some.
It also features a luxury swimming pool, a sauna and a steam room as well as sunbeds and more.
Its also got a café and internet access.
Its more than a gym, and you could easily spend a day relaxing here!

Everyone is aware of the excellent quality of gym service by Virgin Active and it needs to further introduction!
This Parrs Wood branch woes you away like any other and makes you believe that the membership fees were worth every penny. They’re obviously stocked with the latest equipment and there might not be a single machine that you might want and they don’t have. They also have a wonderful swimming pool and steam suana room to help you relax after that intensive workout! I love the sunbeds here too!
It comes well packed with a café with internet access and makes your day a well spent one.