If staying active was one of your goals for the new year, then luckily, Joe Wicks is coming over to our city to give us a helping hand with that, as he’s got a brand-new fitness experience called MOVE Manchester that’s taking over Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, this weekend.
Kicking off on Friday 26, and running until Sunday 28 January, this three-day immersive experience includes a range of sessions that are fit for all ages and abilities, coached by some of the best in the business.
You’ll first be able to get your weekend off to a flying start the MOVE Manchester community hub.
Here, you can get involved with a range of events and activities, completely free of charge – including ice baths with ice bath experts, Brass Monkey, cooking and wellness sessions, a giant hopscotch obstacle course, quick HIIT workout sessions, and a self-care lounge.
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Not only that, but lululemon will also be hosting a pop-up shop and personalisation station, so you can get your fitness gear looking fresh for 2024.
Joe Wicks’ new fitness experience ‘MOVE Manchester’ is taking over Aviva Studios next week / Credit: Supplied
Saturday and Sunday kick off with a 40-minute high-energy workout, and afterwards, you can get to know The Body Coach himself with a Q&A. Then, once you’ve got your blood pumping, you’ll be able to slow things down with a restorative flow and stretch yoga class, accompanied by a wonderful violin and cello duo.
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Fitness experts like Joe Wicks will always tell you that rest and recovery are equally as important as physical activity itself, which is why wellness-conscious Jasmine Hemsley will be on hand to help you utilise your senses in a calming session using crystal alchemy singing bowls that provide the ultimate lullaby to unwind.
Of course, Joe will be hosting a number of his famous ‘PE With Joe’ high-energy workouts for the whole family in the Warehouse, also followed by a Q&A, so little Mancs will want to make sure they have their questions ready.
Arguably the showstopper of the weekend will be ‘Joe’s HIIT Party’, which is a high-tempo blast that will leave you feeling fitter, stronger, and happier than when you walked through the door – but this isn’t your standard body pump-style class, as it features a live DJ that’s guaranteed to get you moving and singing along.
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“My goal is to show people that fitness can be fun, and to inspire everyone to keep moving in 2024 to boost their physical and mental health,” Joe commented ahead of next week’s event.
“This event is going to be really special and like nothing I’ve ever done before”.
Tickets are still on sale and you can grab them from as little as £10 per class / Credit: Supplied
MOVE Manchester will take place in the Warehouse, an enormous 5,000-capacity space inside the state-of-the-art Aviva Studios, that feels almost like entering a colosseum. It’s taller than four double-decker buses, the length of a jumbo jet and set to be bouncing for MOVE Manchester when Joe Wicks is in the house.
If you’re looking for a full action-packed day though, then you can buy a day pass priced at £90, where you’ll be able to participate in two sessions, receive a signed copy of Joe’s latest book, ‘Feel Good in 15’, the opportunity to experience an ice bath with Brass Monkey, and get a one-year subscription to The Body Coach App.
MOVE Manchester is happening down at Aviva Studios this Friday 26 – Sunday 28 January, and you can find out more and grab tickets here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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A massive home and furniture store just outside of Manchester is holding its biggest ever winter sale
Danny Jones
You heard: a huge home, furniture and accessories store just outside Greater Manchester is holding its biggest ever winter sale, making the festive period and the New Year the perfect time to pop in.
Rather annoyed we got mum those nice cushions for Christmas before we saw this, now, but ah well – there’s always her birthday…
Anyone who’s been to Macclesfield or on a train heading in or out of the North West will have most likely been past this place on the train, but the multi-storey emporium that is Arighi Bianchi really is a must-visit for anyone looking to upgrade their interior on a budget.
The Macclesfield home furnishings store has something for everyone, from high-end luxuries to decorative accessories, with pretty much every price range taken into account – which is why landing some seasonal discounts is such a big win for the region.
A fairly iconic sight as you pass through the Cheshire town, Macclesfield‘s Arighi Bianchi was founded way back in 1854 by two Italian immigrants – both called Antonio – whose surnames give the long-standing retail destination its title.
Well over 170 years later, and it’s more popular than ever, so the bonus of them bringing never-before-seen in-store deductions and special seasonal promotions across all departments is an even bigger win.
It doesn’t matter whether you want to shop online or visit in-store (though we would highly recommend the latter), you can get up to 30% off items in what is their biggest event of 2025.
As well as discounts on everything from sofas, sideboards and dining tables to floors, mattresses and much more, they’re doing cut-price offers on top designer brands from around Europe, including Cattelan Italia, Calligaris, Ercol, Hypnos, Tempur, Vispring and Stressless, just to name a few.
Subject to the usual terms and conditions, customers can even get early flexible finance deals (24 months 0% APR*) on their purchases; after all, they know as well as we do how tight money can be around this time of year.
Better still, their early bird offers, which are on top of the standard winter sale, will see even more cost cuttings on the likes of the Britannia Sofa, Freja Dining Bundle, the Heritage Bed Collection and other premium accessories from 27 December until 18 January.
For instance, if you spend £1,200 in-store, you will receive an extra £50 voucher for the CASA Accessories Lounge; or, beyond that, spend £2.5k and earn yourself a £100 voucher.
So, if you’re looking to get a fresh living room suite for 2026, make the most of 10% off wallpaper and fabrics or 20% off mirrors, or even get four new dining chairs for the price of three, there’s a cheeky deal to suit just about everyone.
You can see the full extent of what’s on offer during the Arighi Bianchi winter sale right HERE, or go and peruse the four floors for yourself in the flesh on the famous Silk Road.
Happy holiday season shopping, folks – maybe bump into you around Caffè AB.
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Harry Quick -
22nd January 2024 
