It’s January and whether you’re a year-round gym bunny, trying to recapture your fitness mojo, or considering dipping your toe in the exercise world for the very first time, you’re probably getting a bit swept up in the New Year health hype.
Manchester is blessed with a plethora of options to keep active, whether you’re into a butt-kicking boot camp or a mindful yoga session.
But there aren’t many gyms in town where you can train in several different ways for one single membership cost.
Credit: The Manc GroupV1BE has two gyms, both of which are plenty spacious.
Now with two locations in the city centre, this is a gym space that marries boutique fitness classes with an open gym kitted out with all the equipment you need for a complete solo workout.
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V1BE’s original studio was down in a basement unit in the Northern Quarter and had built up a loyal following with its classes, which blend treadmills, free weights and boxing.
V1BE and Lifestyle Fitness joined forces a couple of years ago to launch a £1m facility in Ancoats, going on to open a second joint venue on Mosley Street.
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Considered one of Manchester’s best class-based gyms, the addition of an open gym area has made V1BE one of Manchester’s best gyms full stop.
In the free weights area on Mosley Street, you’ll find a stylish gym that may be compact, but one which has an impressive array of equipment (and properly nice changing rooms too).
There’s a huge rig in the middle of the room for pull-ups and callisthenics workouts, along with a track for sled pushes and pulls, resistance bands, battle ropes, paralettes, kettlebells, sandbags, gymnastic rings, weight belts and more.
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Fancy a blast of cardio? They’ve got it all: Wattbikes, assault bikes, stairmasters, treadmills, rowers and ski ergs.
Ready to move some weight? There’s a great range of machines plus a whole wall of dumbbells, two squat racks, many barbells, and an Olympic lifting platform.
Then when you’re done sweating you can grab your stuff from the digital-locking lockers, hit the showers, and blast your hair back to order with GHD hairdryers and straighteners.
V1BE has all the versatility and freedom you could want from a gym.
Back upstairs at V1BE you’ll find the studio area, hosting the classes that it built its name on. Classes range in length (30, 45 or 60 minutes) and intensity.
There’s IGN1TE, where you’ll flit between treadmill sprints and floor workouts. STR1KE does the same but also incorporates boxing drills. ADRENAL1NE skips the treadmills and focuses on free weight and bodyweight exercises. And then there’s BOOT1E, dedicated to lower body strength.
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V1BE has also just launched new pilates to its timetable in time for your 2024 health kick. With their full membership, it means that in one week you can lift heavy, stretch deep, or sweat hard, with whatever workout you fancy each day.
Memberships for V1BE start from £39 – you can find out more HERE.
Smirnoff teams up with Co-op Live for new Summer Series
Danny Jones
Smirnoff, the world’s number-one vodka brand not to mention a leading force in wider music culture, has officially partnered with Co-op Live to mark the opening of the new state-of-the-art venue and its debut calendar.
The partnership will see the new ‘Co-op Live Summer Series presented by Smirnoff‘ run until 13 September 2024. As part of the collaboration, the vodka brand will surprise and delight guests visiting the venue with great-tasting drinks and the ultimate night out, with VIP packages and more.
Co-op Live has curated a stacked lineup of popular bands, singers and entertainers, including some of the biggest names in music, who are set to perform at Europe’s largest indoor entertainment venue.
Starting the Summer Series off with a bang presented by Smirnoff celebrations, the brand is offering friends a chance to win tickets to see their favourite stars perform live, hosted by celebrities including TV favourite Callum Jones, as well as social media and makeup virtuoso Mitchell Halliday.
Alongside their hosts, winners will enjoy access to the exclusive Decibel Club and enjoy the concert from a private suite hosted by Smirnoff, fully immersing themselves in the ultimate venue experience. Competition details (18+ only) can be found on Smirnoff’s Instagram page.
Attendees at the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live arena will have the opportunity to choose from a range of Smirnoff favourites, including Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, Smirnoff Mango and Passionfruit Twist, Smirnoff No.21 and more.
These drinks will be available to guests over 18 at bars and grab-and-go stations throughout the venue, including the Smirnoff Founders Bar. Guests can also try the newest addition to the range, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind, at the bar located on the concourse – fingers crossed there’ll be plenty of sun too.
There is a unique must-try experience for all gig attendees: a 360-photo booth on Level 3, where guests can use fun props to snap the best and most high-end selfies they’ve ever taken, and have a chance to get their tickets upgraded that evening.
Operated by holding group Diaego, the aim of Smirnoff’s Co-op Live Summer Series is to reflect the vodka brand’s ongoing commitment to making music more accessible to everyone.
Smirnoff recently rolled out its ‘WE DO US’ campaign, activated through a series of initiatives that aim to reignite social connections and lower barriers to socialising.
Tyler Monk, Smirnoff Brand Manager at Diageo Great Britain, said: “Smirnoff is on a mission to make music more accessible and create unforgettable experiences that bring people together through live music. We’re proud to partner with Co-op Live and be part of Manchester’s vibrant music scene, offering great-tasting Smirnoff drinks, music, and unique experiences to a wider audience.”
Check the website for the full schedule of events at Co-op Live HERE.
Featured Images — Smirnoff (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Printworks adds running track, Sir Mo Farah waxwork and more for Summer of Sport
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary entertainment complex, Printworks, has unveiled a packed programme of events to celebrate a Summer of Sport.
The popular city centre destination, which recently completed a staggering transformation including installing the biggest digital ceiling in Europe, has created a series of events celebrating the return of the Olympics.
Sir Mo Farah’s lifelike wax figure will be on display from Madame Tussauds in Blackpool, inviting visitors to do the Mobot and snap a selfie with the sporting great.
You’ll also be able to watch the Olympics opening ceremony live at Printworks, underneath that incredible ceiling and from the terraces of Tank & Paddle and Chiquito.
You can even play multi-player games on the big screen inside, hosted by a BBC Radio Manchester presenter.
It all kicks off this week with the Opening Ceremony Party on Friday, with free candy floss and Team GB face painting for the first 250 visitors.
Any children with Team GB face paint on will be able to get a free hot fudge sundae from Hard Rock Cafe with the purchase of a kids’ meal.
Other free events will include weekly gaming sessions, a basketball tournament, a kids’ archery class, and appearances from famous faces.
Printworks will even have a running track lined up all summer.
The digital ceiling will join in on the sporting action, dazzling visitors with animations of synchronised swimmers, athletes, cyclists and divers.
Throughout August, BBC Radio Manchester’s Remmel Dawodu will return to host free weekly interactive gaming sessions on the 1, 8 and 15 August.
You’ll also be able to witness an artist live at work, as they create a mural of an iconic sports person on 1 August.
Slam Dunk-a-Basketball will take place on the 8 August, with archery on 15 August.
The Printworks Opening Ceremony Party will take place between 3.30pm and 6pm on Friday 26 July.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “We are thrilled to offer a vibrant and engaging summer of sports for families at Printworks. Our diverse line-up of free events is designed to bring people together, celebrate athleticism and create unforgettable memories over the summer holidays.”
For more information on a Summer of Sport at Printworks, head here.