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.
Pep Guardiola delivers important reminder about multiculturalism after Jim Ratcliffe controversy
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered an important message about the power of multiculturalism in his most recent press conference.
Guardiola’s comments come after the high-profile controversy surrounding his rival club across the city, Man United, whose co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, saw some of his recent remarks fall under major scrutiny.
In case you somehow missed it, the Failsworth-born British billionaire was heavily criticised after claiming he believes the UK has been “colonised by immigrants”.
Fast forward a couple of days, and while the club and the fan base are still dealing with the fallout of the story, Pep acknowledged the debate by reminding people that “embracing other cultures” makes for a “better society”.
Well put, Pep – in fact, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Although he didn’t reference the 74-year-old directly after being probed on the subject by journalists, the Man City boss reiterated that his time spent living and working across the world has only broadened his mind and enriched his life.
That goes for both his professional and personal spheres, by the way, as the Catalan coach has often spoken of his love for English culture and the Manc people, specifically.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup game against local side Salford City, Pep described the attitudes towards immigrants around the world as a “big problem” despite most people simply leaving their country in search of “a better life”.
He also drew attention to the fact that he, like so many others in football – a sporting industry loved the world round by people from all walks of life and that the likes of Ratcliffe directly benefit from – is an immigrant working and contributing to not just the game but the British economy by being here.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have since shared a public statement on their club website and across social media, reiterating to fans and supporters the world over that they are an “inclusive club”.
‘We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.’
The INEOS chairman, CEO and minority stakeholder in Manchester United Football Club, has since apologised (at least in part) for his “choice of language” following the divisive interview with Sky News.
In a world where plenty of people are quick to pessimism, negativity and turn to division almost by default, Pep’s message is one echoed by so many and is one that we should all keep in mind.
And for anyone who needs a more light-hearted bit of content on their timeline this week, here’s what else Pep said in his pre-match presser…
Pep Guardiola responding to a really intelligent question from a reporter:
‘Do you want to be my assistant coach, fucking hell, you are brilliant…’
Featured Images — Hayters TV (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Man United release statement after controversy around Jim Ratcliffe comments on immigration
Danny Jones
Manchester United Football Club have issued an official statement following the controversial comments made by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe surrounding immigration earlier this week.
This comes after Ratcliffe himself ultimately apologised for his “choice of language” in an interview with Sky News reporter Ed Conway.
His remarks, now widely publicised and having already sparked plenty of backlash and debate, have been criticised for being not only politically charged but also divisive, inflammatory and ‘inaccurate’.
Now, Man United – the global footballing brand with one of, if not the largest worldwide fan base that he has a minority stakeholding in – has shared a message online, reiterating that the organisation “prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.”
Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.
We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.
The statement reads: “Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home.
“Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do.
“We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.”
Some believe more should still have been said and earlier, especially given that the press release doesn’t reference Ratcliffe directly, but they have finally broken their silence on the matter nearly 24 hours after the fact.
As for those who haven’t dug into exactly what the 74-year-old businessman and Monaco resident said in the sit-down with Sky, you can find out more here:
As for United, their media team goes on to write: “Over the course of this season, we have participated in events and initiatives at our men’s and women’s games marking mental health, LGBTQ+ inclusion, No Room for Racism, violence against women and girls and homophobic chanting.
“We have also celebrated our supporters’ clubs’ events, including our Disabled Supporters’ Association’s Christmas Party and our Jewish Supporters’ Club’s Chanukah event.
Concluding with one final message of commitment, they add: “In the weeks and months ahead, we will be supporting further initiatives in these areas.
This update clearly comes in response not only to the calls from supporters and people around the world to reply (the news breaking late yesterday afternoon), but in the wake of the British billionaire’s apology – though many still feel it falls short of an adequate one.
As for the several notable figures to have taken issue with Ratcliffe’s remarks, the Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was one of the most outspoken in his public reaction.
Despite having met and spoken with the INEOS boss on a number of ocassions as part of the Old Trafford Regeneration ‘Taskforce’, which includes plans to develop the football team’s home stadium, Burnham didn’t hold back in levelling his criticism at Ratcliffe and the wider ownership group.
Danny Jones -
14th October 2023 
