Open for about 18 months now, Scholes Gym in Oldham — set up by former footballer Paul Scholes, his son Aaron and daughter Alicia — is not just the best place for a workout in the borough but arguably one of the best gyms you’ll find anywhere in Greater Manchester.
After paying the place a visit and meeting up with Aaron and Paul in person to discuss how the gym has developed since it first launched, we got a great insight into what sets this place apart from other standard gyms.
Now boasting six dedicated PTs on their roster, multiple purpose-built training rooms across two floors and even an in-house app that lets you manage all your membership stuff and any classes you choose to take up, they’ve pretty much thought of everything.
Alicia might have been away playing for London Pulse Netball at the time and had to take a step back from helping run the gym for the time being, but here’s what the pair had to say about how the business is going so far:
As you can see even just from this short clip, this isn’t just some small independent fitness centre thrown together with a spare bit of cash: it’s a massive venue with big open spaces packed out with the best equipment that rivals virtually any other gym, commercial or otherwise, that you’d find in the region.
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Stocking the main free weight and resistance room with the high-end gear from Primal Strength — plenty of which is completed with the Scholes Gym branding, no less — you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to strength training.
As well as separate rooms down the corridor for things like boxing, they’ve even got one of the state-of-the-art reaction timers known as BATAK machines that you see Premier League footballers using in training and you know full well they don’t come cheap.
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Up on the second storey, you’ll find treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machines, exercise bikes and other cardio machines. The entire room is kitted out with a big sound system and a large projector screen too, so no matter what floor you’re on, you’ll always have something to keep you entertained while slogging it out. No headphones are needed here, really.
Credit: The Manc Group
If Scholesy’s interview on The Overlap is anything to go by (a great watch, by the way), we’d guess the total cost of putting this spot together has gone far beyond that initial £500k outlay now…
All this is another way of saying that although there are a lot of shiny things to draw you in here, you’ll never be bumping elbows or fighting to get on machines in here, especially without being a bit more out of the way rather than near to the city centre.
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Naturally, with the gym being located in Oldham, you would expect it to predominantly cater to locals in and around the town, but the fact it’s just a short walk from the Oldham Mumps tram stop means you could still get there if you fancied coming to try out a specific trainer or class. It’s 50% off your first month, which is a nice bonus.
It’s also worth assuring that although a lot of money has clearly gone into assembling a properly kitted-out facility like this, we wouldn’t exactly call this a luxury gym — not by nature or culture, at least.
The equipment might be top-of-the-range and you’ll want for nothing when it comes to training — there’s even a place to get protein shakes and a pool table in the reception (although you’ll have to fight Paul and Arron to get on that one) — but the people who come in here are just like anyone else.
There are people taking on demanding PT classes and already strong/athletic, sure, but it’s also a place where you can just turn up and do your own thing; it’s a place that gives off that open-door policy from the second you step into the building.
As Arron told us when we asked him about what makes it special, the family wanted to give something back to the local area and there’s a real community vibe to everything about Scholes Gym. They even hold BBQs and summer parties out in the back garden, as well as go on group trips outside of Oldham.
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Put simply: it’s a Manc gym, put together by a Manc legend, filled with other Mancs and one that makes you feel welcome like only someone from around here can. We could find another way to describe it if we needed to, but we reckon you know exactly what we mean.
Rodri has been fined for his comments about referees following Man City vs Spurs game
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Rodri has been fined a large sum for his comments about recent refereeing following the Blues’ game against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The Man City midfielder and Spanish international has avoided a match ban, as many supporters first feared, but will still pay £80k as punishment for the remarks.
While perhaps not a huge figure for a Premier League footballer, he still admitted to questioning the officiating on the day, but did submit evidence to the board in arguing his case.
The Euro 2024 winner had already been charged by the FA following the comments a fortnight after the frustrating home draw, but was given until 18 February to respond/appeal.
BREAKING: Rodri has been fined £80,000 and warned about his future conduct over comments made following Man City's draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month. pic.twitter.com/wdP4slCNef
At the time, little detail was revealed about what exactly was said to the ref, with Rodri accusing Rob Jones of not being neutral and acting in an ‘improper manner’, but it was his comments in the post-match zone that shone an extra spotlight on the situation.
Speaking to the media after the game, the 29-year-old said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair because we work so hard.
“When everything is finished, you are frustrated. It’s one game and another game and another game – and it’s not possible. Honestly, I never speak about referees; I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.”
Rodri was referring to the equaliser by Dominic Solanke, who scored his brace in the 70th-minute to bring his team level, but City and many other football fans believed kicked through defender Marc Guehi’s leg to do so.
As a result, instead of a foul being given, the goal stood, the game ended 2-2, and Pep Guardiola’s side went on to drop crucial points in this year’s title race.
In case you missed any of it, you can see the challenge/controversial goal in question HERE, and listen to Rodri’s response in the immediate aftermath down below.
As you can see, he went on to insist that the incident was “so clear”, as well as intimating that this wasn’t the first time.
He and others around the club believe he and his teammates had been on the receiving end of some incorrect decisions for “two, three games in a row”, adding, “I don’t know why.”
What do you make of the choice to fine Rodri for his comments about referees, or do you think the central Man City cog should have even been punished?
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)
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Medlock Square: Manchester’s new £300 million entertainment destination on the Etihad Campus
Danny Jones
Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, located over at the ever-growing Etihad Campus, has finally been given a name ahead of its launch later this year.
Alongside the recently announced and Radisson-run hotel, Medlock Square will see the Manchester City-partnered mini leisure district aim to become a new must-visit part of the city.
Hoping to draw in crowds beyond just matchdays and those heading to concerts across the way, approximately £300 million is being pumped into the project.
With Co-op Live having already brought huge revenues into Greater Manchester, it isn’t just set to be a pricey development, but one that will look to serve as yet another money spinner for the wider City Football Group (CFG) and the City Region.
Credit: CFG (supplied)
Unveiling the first CGIs of the square this week, this new area will essentially see attractions and activities spill out of the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and the soon-to-open Medlock hotel and on to the campus as a whole.
With other parts of Sportcity already revolving around the footballing epicentre, such as the Manchester Regional Arena and National Squash Centre, this will not only see even more sporting events and supporters brought to the roughly 80-acre plot, but also fans of various other forms of entertainment.
For instance, within the plans that already include the food and drink offerings you would expect – with Radisson Blu backing more of the relaxation and indulgent side of things – other activities include everything from “an adrenaline-fuelled sky walk experience”, as well as zip-wire and abseiling.
We already knew about some of these from the details in Man City’s stadium expansion plans (including the likes of The Medlock and rooftop bar), and glimpses of the impending hotel opening gave us a better idea of the overall look, but there looks to be plenty more in the pipeline.
You can see a trailer for what they have in mind for Medlock Square down below.
Welcome to Medlock Square. Manchester’s newest entertainment destination. A place where mouthwatering cuisine and world class entertainment, experiences and events converge. Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/4bC7NQbMHT
As per an official press release by the fledgling team, more information on further business and employment opportunities has also now been confirmed, centring around the new ‘One Medlock Square’ structure that will be built on the campus.
“Designed to accommodate up to 300 employees, the state-of-the-art workspace will offer high-quality, modern office facilities alongside access to shared event spaces and wellness amenities, uniquely positioned within Manchester’s most exciting new destination”, the statement reads.
There’s certainly some ambitious stuff in the works, put it that way.
And, of course, these will also slot into a renovated club shop turned meagstore, an all-new Man City museum, the Co-op arena, live music and other open-air events, just to name a few. A specific opening date is yet to be scheduled, but you can guarantee it’ll be a big deal when it does launch.
Danny Jones -
14th October 2023 
