Manchester’s groundbreaking new gym concept GSquared Health Clubsis planning to “change the face of fitness” with a holistic approach for its members.
And along with the next-level gym facility, GSquared Manchester – which is set to open in January 2021 in the vaults of Royal Exchange Arcade, boasting 12,000sq ft of training space – will also come with its own dedicated tranquil space especially for power naps.
It will be known as the Sleep Pod.
GSquared clubs have always been a place to restore, re-energise and revive, but the Sleep Pod goes one step further by allowing members to escape the city for a moment of calm, and a study by NASA has even claimed that a simple 26-minute power nap can lead to an increase of productivity by 34%.
This undoubtedly makes the Sleep Pod the perfect solution for fatigued, Mancunian city workers.
The brainchild of GSquared’s CEO Andy McGlynn, this private sanctuary for rest is about fuelling the body with holistic therapies, especially for those that need a ‘work in’ rather than ‘work out’.
“For too long, gyms have been known for a 1D approach to health and fitness through the means of exercise.” Andy explained.
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“But what if your body isn’t ready for an intense workout but more of a ‘work in’?
“We want to be different and support our members in their overall health, wellbeing and performance in and out of the gym. It’s the missing link to really helping people invest back in themselves without the warped idea they have to throw themselves and their already stressed body into a workout before it’s ready to do so.”
This Sleep Pod is just one of the innovative spaces to launch at the new health club, but what else can Mancunians expect come January?
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GSquared Health Clubs
Well, within the 12,000sq ft of innovative training space, there’s also a studio offering holistic studio sessions, in addition to the usual high intensity classes, and there will also be dedicated treatment rooms for sports massage and sports rehabilitation therapies.
As you’d expect from a gym, there’s a sauna within each of the changing rooms, but in true GSquared style, this is an enhanced offering.
There will also be an Infra-Red Sauna, which is known for expelling more transdermal toxicity than standard saunas, resulting in clear and tighter skin, as well as assisting with deep relaxation, enhanced detoxification and a boost in immunity, and delayed onset muscle soreness.
GSquared’s front of house mirrors that of a five-star hotel too, with a serene foyer, an aquarium, waterfall and gentle classical music playing.
This is the holistic hub of GSquared, where the Sleep Pod and treatment rooms are located.
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GSquared Health Clubs
With a “multi-faceted approach to fitness and wellbeing”, it’s pretty fair to say that GSquared is a revolution in the gym scene here in Manchester.
GSquared prides itself on focusing on the conditioning and balancing of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual components of its members, and the journey starts with “the most advanced gym induction in the world”, which includes body composition analysis, spinal alignment, full health and wellbeing analysis and more.
Membership tiers available at GSquared Health Clubs include:
Executive – £95 per month
Platinum – £150 per month
Platinum Plus – £225 per month
GSquared Health Clubs’ membership application will be pre-arranged appointments with state-of-the-art VR technology tours included.
More information ahead of the opening of Manchester’s newest gym concept can be found via the GSquared Health Clubs website here.
Sport
Jack Grealish dedicates first league goal in 16 months to late brother on anniversary of his death
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Jack Grealish held back the tears following his first Premier League goal in more than 16 months, but not in relief after breaking the duck, because it came on a very emotional day for him and his family.
The Man City and England midfielder opened the scoring in the Blues’ 2-0 win against Leicester City on Wednesday night, bringing an end to his goal drought after a total of 473 days.
But what made it even more special is that the game happened to coincide with the anniversary of his late brother Keelan’s death.
Speaking in his post-match interview after picking up the man of the match award, Grealish was in a noticeably quieter mood than his usual charismatic self before revealing that the day marked the 25th anniversary of his younger sibling’s death.
Jack Grealish dedicates his goal to his late brother on the 25th anniversary of his death ❤️ pic.twitter.com/u3toaqZSuR
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2025
The 29-year-old went on to reveal that the date coincided with Keelan’s passing and acknowledged that it’s “hard on the family but [I’m] happy to score”.
His mum and dad, Karen and Kevin, were up in the stands; it doesn’t need explaining why scoring in that particular moment was so special for all of them.
Clearly stirred by addressing what was a bittersweet occasion, he signed off by adding, “To score and to win was brilliant.”
Keelan Daniel Grealish was just nine months old when he tragically passed away from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) back in 2000 – ‘Super Jack’ was just four at the time.
Paying tribute on social media after the game, the comments below his post were filled with love and support.
Besides the goal itself, the former Aston Villa star was keen to reiterate that he was never brought to the club to score bags of goals and “has a lot more to offer” than just hitting the back of the net.
Touching on his Grealish’s game and the tribute to Keelan during his post-match duties, manager Pep Guardiola went on to add: “Jack is an incredible human being; in terms of gestures and for the other people, he’s incredibly generous.
“I didn’t know that [it was the anniversary of his brother’s death]. I can’t imagine how tough it could be for mum, dad, sister, and all the family. It’s good on this day to remember him, I’m pretty sure they remember every single day.”
A lovely moment from a much-loved character around the Eithad Stadium as well as up and down the country. Rest in peace, Keelan.
You can watch the highlights from the game down below:
Three more points on the board for City and a big moment for the Brummy-born midfielder.
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Marc Skinner signs new contract to keep him at Manchester United until 2027
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women manager Marc Skinner has signed off on a new deal with the Red Devils, accepting a contract that will see him stay at the club until at least 2027.
Approaching half a decade in charge of Man United’s women’s team, Marc Skinner has now committed his future to the side which helped the club to a historic male and female FA Cup double and qualified for Champions League for the first time.
Confirmed via social media on Wednesday, 2 April, the club shared the news that the 42-year-old has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with an option to extend for a further 12 months.
His side is also currently third in the WSL, and although Chelsea remain the perennial favourites, they are continuing to push harder for the title each season following their second-placed finish in 22/23.
Speaking on the new deal, Brummy-born Skinner wrote: “It has been an absolute privilege to serve as head coach for this fantastic football club for the past four years, and I am delighted to be extending my time in the role for at least a further two years.
“We’re building a young, hungry team with the aim of challenging consistently for further trophies. There is still more hard work ahead, including this season, but the players and staff have already shown their determination to succeed, and I’m looking forward to us taking the next steps in our journey together.”
The former Birmingham and Orlando Pride head coach has been a somewhat divisive figure around Leigh Sports Village and Old Trafford during his tenure in recent years, with some vocal supporters even calling ‘Skinner Out’ last year.
He was ultimately kept on following the 4-0 thrashing of Spurs in the Women’s FA Cup, but many fans are still unhappy with the amount of progress made under him.
In addition to a lack of silverware throughout his time in charge, with many criticising his tactics, star talents like Alessia Russo, Mary Earps, Nikita Parris, Lucía Garcíaand captain Katie Zelem have all departed during this time. Others just haven’t felt the same since Casey Stoney left back in 2021.
Even gave him a photoshoot. Right wrong on not a significant part of the fan base hates Marc skinner. It’s tone deaf to assume we all celebrate on socials. I would turn the comments off tbh. https://t.co/VIarfUAkoJ
Nevertheless, Marc Skinner is staying for the immediate future, and there are still plenty who back him and the work he’s done, or at least the direction he is looking to go in.
Speaking on the extension, United‘s technical director Jason Wilcox said: “Marc’s record since taking charge speaks for itself, having delivered our first major women’s silverware and firmly established us among the leading teams in the WSL.
“After a major overhaul last summer, we have an exciting, developing squad ready to compete for further success, and we are convinced that Marc is the right coach to lead that process.”
COO Collette Roche went on to insist that “building a successful and popular women’s team is an important part of our wider, football-first strategy for the club” and that they hope Skinner will continue to contribute in placing “Manchester United at the forefront of growth in the women’s game.”