The best: Gyms and health clubs in Manchester to help you get in shape after lockdown

This would hardly be a Manchester Wire article without mention of the Northern Quarter, so it’ll be no surprise that two gyms from that ever-so-hip area make it on to this list. V1BE is independent (naturally) and the owners even describe it as ‘boutique’. Unlike the overly lit, clinical feel of some of the major chains, this place has a fashionable aesthetic enhanced by live DJs. One of the main standouts is the emphasis on heart rate monitoring and vital stat tracking. This data adds a competitive element, so you can battle against yourself or others.

Another indie in the Northern Quarter, this arrival to the scene was founded by a couple of experienced personal trainers. It has two studios: Resistance and Revolution. In the first, you will find everything you’ll need for high intensity interval workout. There’s all the usual accoutrements, such as treadmills and weights, and also assault bikes. Revolution is the place for KOR’s spin classes, where experienced instructors will take you on the ride of your life via the Life Fitness Connect app. It’s a blacked-out studio with a 70-inch screen, meaning it’s an immersive experience.

This community-focused non-profit was established in the 19th century. Wait a minute: this is the Y…M…C…A! Don’t worry, it’s open to all, not just young Christian men. It claims to be the biggest health club in Manchester – and that certainly seems to be the case, what with its huge sports hall where you can play basketball, netball, volleyball and badminton. There’s also an 18-metre swimming pool with a sauna and steam room. Uniquely, it has its own Holistic Clinic, where you can receive treatments like massage and reflexology.

This is a massive chain and yet the best name they could come up with is The Gym – however what it lacks in branding, it seems to make up for in other areas. Most members sing its praises for the cleanliness, availability of equipment, friendliness of staff and even the food in the café. Attractions for newbies include the fact there’s no contract – and if you’re not ready to commit to even a month, you can try a single session for just £6.99. Other perks include the fact it’s open 24/7 and has free Wi-Fi.

Fitness isn’t just for people who live in the city centre, so we’ve included this one as it’s the highest rated health venue in the suburbs. A very large facility, it boasts a 90-station gym, two squash courts, a sauna and steam room and a dance studio. Another standout is its 25-metre, six lane swimming pool and there’s also a learner pool which regularly hosts lessons for the kiddies. It’s managed by the ‘Better’ brand of gyms but is one of several places governed by MCRactive, a not-for-profit organisation established by the City Council.

Puregym are a chain of gyms that can cater to range of training styles and also offer fantastic prices – especially if you are a student. Most of their gyms are open 24/7 and offer free classes in their subscription service, meaning that whether you want to train at your own pace on your own or with your own trainer, Puregym meets both expectations. Day passes cost around £5.99 and monthly passes can be as low as £10.99, which makes this the perfect gym for people on a budget.

GSquared is a gym that caters to the swankier fitness fanatics. With a limited membership size and a lack of price list on their website, it’s a gym that accepts customers on an application basis. Describing themselves as “one of the most advanced gyms in the world” is quite a statement, but one trip to their site and you can see that their gyms look like spas, with a lovely ambience surrounding the space. They also claim to have the most advanced gym induction in the world, including body composition analysis, spinal alignment, full health and wellbeing analysis, movement screens and a personalised fitness programme. So, if you have the cash and an eye for detail in your fitness program, GSquared might just be the gym for you.