Pilates, Zumba, BodyPump — you’ve probably heard of all these dozens of times before but we’d dare say most people have never come across the world of ‘Stepper-Ton’: the fast-paced and exciting new dance-based exercise that’s quickly becoming one of the biggest crazes.
And it’s all happening right here in Manchester. Trendsetters, as usual.
To tell the truth, we’ve already lied to you; plenty of people will have come across Stepper-Ton already, they just might not have known the name. But if you’ve been on TikTok in the past few months, you’ve likely stumbled across videos of this bloke and his gym classes.
So energetic are his workout classes, several people assumed it was based in the USA and his followers were stunned to discover he teaches out of Manchester city centre.
The man we’re referring to is Julius Burphy, a personal trainer and online coach who specialises in his unique brand of fitness: a hip-hop and Afro-step class which combines fitness with irresistible classics and up-tempo tracks of the moment in what is undoubtedly one of the most fun workouts on the planet.
Building workouts based around using a single aerobic step and dance routines matched to the BPM of various dance-friendly tracks, Stepper-Ton isn’t just an enjoyable music-based way to exercise, it’s a real boot camp in both cardio and coordination.
Though we’re sure you’ve figured out plenty already, the unique class is described as an energetic ‘step aerobic’ workout like no other, with passion, fun and accessibility at its heart.
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Burphy insists his goal has always been to “break out of the box of classes every other gym has to offer and introduce you to a fun way to train”, assuring that “whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting out, our classes are designed to make you get up and take your steps towards your fitness goals.”
His workout style and overall demeanour are so upbeat and high-energy, as promised, that the positivity his videos spread online has become infectious, gaining hundreds of millions of views. It hasn’t just turned into a fitness craze, his channel is now at the point where it even has its own beloved cast of fan favourite characters. Big up Maria and ‘pink shirt girl’.
Speaking to The Manc, the master himself told us a little bit about how the whole thing got started and the ethos behind Stepper-Ton.
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“I’ve been a personal trainer and fitness Instructor for six years now. Working in the fitness industry for that long, I got bored of teaching the same types of classes you get in every other gym. None of them were a representation of me or how I’d want to teach my classes and that’s why I started Stepper-Ton two years ago during lockdown.
“After doing some research on classes that would best suit me, I was inspired by watching step aerobics videos that kept coming up on my feed from all over the world, and I noticed that it’s something we’ve lacked in Britain ever since the 80s and 90s.
“That’s when I realised that this was something I would love to bring back to the UK but with my own personal touch, so during lockdown I ordered a stepper and practised various routines at home. I then moved to JD Gyms where things really started taking off.”
Burphy’s increasingly popular workout movement is getting bigger and bigger by the day, with thousands following along with his routines online in their home workouts. The Stepper-Ton team has also collaborated with big brands like Gymshark and even appeared on This Morning back in August.
Clearly in love with what he does, Burphy went on to tell us, “One of the things I am most proud of is creating a beautiful community of people who love to step”, adding, “I really look forward to every class every week because we have the most fun together.”
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As for what sets it apart from other workouts and forms of exercise, he says: “What makes Stepper-Ton different to other classes is my love for creating fun routines, high energy, but also gets you sweating because I incorporate workouts making sure everyone gets the most out of the classes.
“Having fun whilst burning calories. My great music taste plays a huge factor too [he’s not wrong]. For newcomers, I teach basic step routines as these are easier to follow, but also ensure to keep my regular members engaged by coming up with more challenging ‘End of Month’ routines which are slightly more challenging but also lots of fun.”
As he puts it, “Everyone gets to take part” — and they really do. Countless people are now queuing up to take part in a Stepper-Ton class right here in the city centre and not only has Burphy’s brand gained a cult following on social media but this man is genuinely adored by colleagues and class members.
If you reckon you’ve got a bit of rhythm and fancy your chances at keeping up with these lot, or even if you don’t and just fancy trying your hand at some beginner routines, you can find out more on the website and get booked in for a class HERE.
Taking place over at JD Gym over in Bridgewater House on Whitworth Street — just on the corner of Oxford Road opposite the Kimpton Hotel — just head downstairs and to the studio at the back of the gym and you’ll find the Stepper-Ton faithful having a blast.
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Who knows, maybe you’ll even see us there one of these days…
Featured Image — Julius Burphy (via Instagram)/Stepper-Ton
Sport
Where to watch Tyson Fury vs Oleskandr Usyk 2 in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Tyson Fury vs Usyk 2: ‘Undisputed’ is nearly upon us with the two contenders fighting to become unified heavyweight champion, and as the biggest fight of the year (at least since the last one), you might rightly be wondering where in Manchester is best to watch it.
With a homegrown albeit controversial talent on one side in Fury and a no-nonsense, not to mention undefeated Ukrainian on the other, there’ll be Mancs cheering for both sides but regardless of who you want to win, we can assure you town is going to be absolutely rammed with fight fans.
That being said, much like getting in the ring itself, you’re best having a game plan if you haven’t already sorted out where you’re going to watch the Fury vs Usyk rematch.
Now, you’re going to want to bank on big rooms with plenty of space for those coming last minute; don’t worry, we’ve got a few ideas and they’re decently spaced out in terms of area too.
Where to watch the Fury vs Usyk 2 fight in Manchester city centre
1. Tank and Paddle – Printworks
Spread across too large floors, it still has all the appeal of the old place and more. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
First up on the list is the newest addition to the Printworks entertainment complex: Tank and Paddle, which has taken over the old Yates site. Specialising in craft beers, cocktails, big pizzas and big screens for live sport, if you used to head here for the boxing before you have even more reason to now.
2. BOX – Deansgate
Next up is arguably the current king of Manchester’s live sports bar scene. Famous for great food, live music, shuffleboard, big steins of beer and even pornstar martinis (yes, whole pitchers of the stuff), as well as its giant jumbotron screen, it’s literally impossible for you to miss a single punch thrown here.
ln at number three is what we refer to as old faithful but, to repeat its true title, is The Brotherhood of Pastimes and Pursuits. We never ever say that name in full but we what do on a regular basis is head here after work, as well as pre and post-matchday to watch the rest of the action and play some games whilst we’re at it. It will be heaving for the fight but if you can book or get there early, you’ll have a ball.
Speaking of reliable after work and weekend haunts, they don’t get more tried and tested than Roxy Ball Room as we simply like to call her, our lovely lady Roxy. Shuffleboard, bowling, darts, pool, table tennis, basketball machines, beer pong, curling – oh yeah, and you can look up to watch the boxing if you want…
Fifth and finally, Mother Mary’s is the unsung hero of our list. It’s fast becoming one of our favourite places to watch sport anywhere in town. It’s popped over on New Wakefield St where Manc institution The Font used to be and it won’t stay the city centre’s best kept secret for long, so make sure you grab a table, one the cheapest pints of Guinness around and a seat in front of the big screens whilst you can.
Honourable mention…
Shooters/Bierkeller
Last but not least, we had to throw another suggestion (or two in there) because besides Tank and Paddle in Printworks, there also happens to be the legendary Bierkeller beer hall and the American sports and gaming bar attached it, Shooters, both of which will promise a great crowd for this title fight.
If all else has truly failed, O’Neill’s and Walkabout are just around the corner too – you’ve got to get in somewhere and you really don’t want to miss this clash.
If you were still wondering where to watch to watch the Fury vs Usyk rematch in central Manchester this Saturday, that handful of suggestions should just about do you in a pinch, just keep in mind that the earlier the better when it comes to events like this.
The two boxers are expect to begin their ring walks at around 10:25pm UK time, so you should have plenty of time to find a good spot to watch the carnage.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/TNT Sports (screenshot via YouTube) BOX (via Instagram)
Sport
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk separated during face-off after recording-breaking stare-down
Danny Jones
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk managed to break a new record before the fight had even started during their face-off on Thursday as they engaged in an extremely intense stare-down– the longest in boxing history.
Fury vs Usyk 2 takes place this weekend, with both excitement and now tension around the eagerly-awaited rematch boiling over as the two fighters locked into respective thousand-yard stares as they met on stage in Riyadh ahead of their rematch.
The pre-fight press and build-up had felt a little quiet and understated up until the last couple of weeks but with the two division-conquering heavyweights now set for what looks to be a real battle and an actually believable feud, the anticipation and stakes have never felt higher.
Fury will have to wait until Saturday to get his second shot at beating the Ukrainian but it’s clear that both their heads are very much already in the ring as the pair ultimately had to be pulled apart after an extremely intense and, frankly, awkward 11-minute stare-down.
As you can see, the situation was an unprecedented one and neither Fury nor Usyk seemed willing to flinch or concede even a little bit of ground to the other, resulting in the longest face-off professional boxing has ever seen. It could have gone on longer by the looks of things…
More than 10 minutes passed before either party said a word to each other and it took various members of security, the promoters, Fury’s entourage and Usyk‘s to edge the two away from each other as the Wythenshawe-born boxer eventually appeared to lose his cool.
In addition to trading countless threats and insults as per, the Manc fighter looked visibly red-faced and began perspiring profusely as he became more mobile and agitated; in contrast, his Ukrainian counterpart barely moved an inch from the same spot.
Perhaps the most jarring aspect of the hot-blooded affair was the general pageantry and ceremonial stuff going on around them, as tonnes of Saudi locals danced, got up on tables and played music around them as the face-off came to its conclusion.
However, it was the scenes picked up by cameras as the two were finally separated that many fight fans think have proved most telling, as the 36-year-old launched into a torrent of verbal abuse and expletives after the fact. As they see it, Fury’s ‘meltdown’ shows he’s already lost the first round:
Usyk didn’t get to enjoy his unified title for very long after beating Tyson the first time around but judging by the level of composure on display, he might already have a leg up in the rematch too.
‘The Gypsy King’ has also been criticised once again for his conduct during the aftermath for homophobic, discriminatory and generally offensive remarks (something he’s come under fire for in the past) though he is yet to address the accusations and is unlikely to with just less than 24 hours before the bell rings.
Fury claims he hasn’t spoken to his wife in three months amidst his busy schedule and strict training camp rules for this fight – another comment he received some flak for online. Whether or not isolating himself has helped his chance, only time will tell.
If you happen to have free time on your hands and nothing better to do, you can watch the whole 11 minutes and change stare-off between Fury and Usyk down below. Better still, give us your predictions: who do you think is going to win this one?
Danny Jones -
15th September 2023 
