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.
Sportsbet.io Tour Championship 2026: Manchester welcomes some of snooker’s best
Danny Jones
This Monday marks the start of the World Snooker Tour’s 2026 Sportsbet.io Tour Championship, which is back in Manchester once again– and there are some big names on show.
Returning to our city for a third consecutive time, this year’s Tour Championships began at 1pm, with the likes of world number one Judd Trump playing some of the opening frames against Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen, along with Barry Hawkins taking on 2026 World Open winner, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh.
These are just the first two opening fixtures in what is set to be an eventful week-long tournament that will span a total of 19 matches, concluding in the final on Sunday, 5 April.
Hosted once again over at Manchester Central, this elite field of in-form players is basically only missing Ronnie O’Sullivan, who the aforementioned Thai tour start beat in last week’s final.
Only the top 12 players from this season’s highly competitive rankings earned a place in the draw, so all pretty much all the greats and the next generation are shooting for the title.
Defending champions John Higgins – a four-time world champion – will be breaking off against Mark Williams on Tuesday, 31 March.
Meanwhile, other names on the schedule of play include World Champion Zhao Xintong, Mark Selby (who Higgins beat in Manchester last year), Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson and Mark Allen.
Put simply, this isn’t just another big sporting event landing in our city centre, but a showcase of some of the very best talent in the discipline.
With tickets starting from just £25, these games are also some of the most affordable premium sports you can enjoy in central Manchester.
Better still, it’s also worth noting that the official Fanzone over in the foyer of the venue is open to all, even without a ticket.
There’s completely free coaching for players of all ages, interactive games, and even the chance to try a proper full-sized professional table – a perfect day out for the Easter school holidays.
The event itself is being aired on Channel 5, but if you’re interested in going along to see the action up close and personal, you can grab your seats right HERE.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied via Manchester Central)/The Manc Group
Sport
Salford’s popular women’s running race is returning for 2026
Danny Jones
The popular women’s only five-mile race in Salford is back for another year, and it’s set to be one of the biggest yet.
Returning for its 34th iteration this spring, the 2026 edition of the Swinton Ladies Race is a mix of trail, gravel and road running.
It’s also remained a great entry-level run since it began, perfect not only for all ages and experience levels, but for those looking for a step-up in ability level and challenge with the mixed terrain.
Last May saw one of the best turnouts in the event’s history, and the Swinton Running Club founders are hoping for another big showing.
Now boasting a total of 400 places, the Swinton Ladies Race has remained a long-established cult favourite among locals over the past couple of decades.
Founded back in 1991 (then under the Worsley Woods Trail Race banner), it’s only grown in reputation but has still stayed true to its community-driven roots.
A one-lap course of lasting five miles, the course itself takes you through the aforementioned woodlands, as well as sections of trail and more defined paths.
Other notable sites featured include the Old Warke Dam, parts of the Bridgewater Canal and said Woods, which help make up a good chunk of the largest conservation area in Salford.
As they put it: “Whether you’re training for a new challenge or looking for a sociable jog in the fresh countryside air, join us and enjoy a trail race through Worsley.”
In addition to promising chip times, bespoke medals for all finishers, free parking and plenty of other little perks, it’s also just super accessible and good value-for-money.
As for the race route itself, there are drinks stations at the halfway point and finish line, first aiders on hand should anyone need help, and, of course, toilet facilities; it’s just a very well-run event all-round.
The organisers – who are teaming up with run promoters SheRACES for 2026 – do advise trail shoes where possible, especially if it’s been raining in the days leading up to the starting gun, but road trainers will still do you just fine.
Road or trail shoes are suitable for the course; we would advise trail shoes if the days leading up to the race have been extremely wet.
The price for affiliated runners is just £15, while unaffiliated participants can sign up for £17 plus a booking fee of £2 entry on the day (subject to availability). It’s also worth noting, however, that this is very much first-come, first-served. You can grab your race ticket and bib for Sunday, 3 May, right HERE.
Danny Jones -
14th October 2023 
