The groundbreaking new Manchester gym offering free membership for a year
Inside is an indoor running track, a 20-metre sled track, CV garden, performance room, free weight area, resistance equipment, assault course – with monkey bars, rope regain and cargo net, full free motion cable suite, and a climbing wall – a first for a gym in Manchester.
A brand new gym is coming to Manchester – offering a “fitness sanctuary to restore, re-energise and revive”… along with a full year’s membership for one lucky winner.
GSquared Health Club is set to open in January in the vaults of Royal Exchange Arcade – boasting 12,000sq ft of training space.
Inside is a running track, a 20-metre sled track, CV garden, performance room, free weight area, resistance equipment and an assault course (with monkey bars, rope regain and cargo net, full free motion cable suite, and climbing wall) – a first for any gym in Manchester.
Launched by Royal Marine Commando-turned-Personal Trainer Andy McGlynn, this state-of-the-art fitness space takes a “multi-faceted approach to fitness and wellbeing” – with some of the best exercising resources anywhere in the city.
The venue will have a luxurious front of house – with members able to book sports rehab massages and get their kits freshly laundered.
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Members will also have direct access to The Remedy Kitchen – Manchester’s first and only free-from café concept in the city.
CEO McGlynn said: “I knew that Manchester had to be the first location for the first GSquared Health Club, which I believe is set to be a gamechanger for the fitness industry. We are shaking up the norm to become one of the world’s leading health club brands.
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“Taking all the learnings and experiences from the fitness industry as a whole, I wanted to create strengths from the recurring issues that often let members down. For example, our new site is substantial enough in size to accommodate a club membership in excess of 3,000 members, but it will actually be limited to 800, meaning that members will never have to wait for equipment – it will be a much better experience all round.
“We’ve also created a unique, 7-part, optional, introductory screening for members, known as ‘YouSquared’. It’s arguably one of the most in-depth, diverse, accurate, informative, educational and useful yet non- invasive member experiences of any gym in the world, and I take that statement seriously.”
GSquared Health Clubs also plans to support the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) on a long-term basis with a seven-figure contribution every year – with the facility’s aesthetics (aquarium, garden and stone) showcasing a “gentle connection to nature.”
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Membership tiers available at GSquared Health Clubs include: Executive at £95 per month; Platinum at £150 per month; and Platinum Plus at £225 per month.
Memberships can be purchased by contacting [email protected] or by calling the membership team on 0161 669 4562.
To be in with a chance of winning a year’s full membership to GSquared – head over to The Manc Instagram.
Sport
Greater Manchester cleans up at first-ever Festival of Women’s Football Awards
Danny Jones
This week marked the inaugural Festival of Women’s Football Awards (FWFA), which not only saw a whole host of female talent from up and down the English pyramid celebrated, but Greater Manchester in particular picked up a number of accolades.
Of course, we all know that 0161 is the true home of football, with Manchester’s rich sporting heritage known worldwide, but it’s always nice to see our region recognised for its continued contribution to the beautiful game.
That reputation goes double for the women’s game too, as the 2025 FWFA saw a trio of local clubs and a trio of different players winning across multiple categories.
Starting with the blue side of Manchester, Manchester City Women star Yui Hasegawa picked up Player of the Year from a strong shortlist of midfielders.
Joining the club back in the summer of 2022, Hasegawa famously scored on her debut and was named in the PFA Team of the Year that season.
Playing in 92 of the 96 games since her arrival, she is widely considered not just one of the best midfielders in the Women’s Super League (WSL) but the world.
As for the red half of the city, not only did Phallon Tullis-Joyce – who has shone since filling the very big boots of Mary Earps – pick up the award for the best shotstopper, but centre-back Maya Le Tissier was named both Defender and Young Player of the Year.
Latics Women only launched their squad this season but have already amassed a passionate following, hence the award, and also won the Lancashire Women’s County League Championship at the first time of asking.
Congratulations to all the Greater Mancunian footballing organisations and sports personalities recognised at this year’s Festival of Women’s Football Awards – here’s hoping for even more in 2026!
🏆 We were delighted to attend this evening’s Festival of Women’s Football Awards in London…
It was an honour to be shortlisted for eight national awards, and take home the ‘Best Fan Experience’ prize! 💙#wafc 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/OoeN92Vxwv
Bury FC announce partnership with big-name local brand after ‘milestone’ season
Danny Jones
Following their landmark North West Counties Football League title, Bury FC are toasting their trophy success with a significant new partnership, as multinational franchise JD Sports will be sponsoring the side moving forward.
The Premier Division champions sealed what they have dubbed a “milestone” first piece of silverware and first promotion for some time with a 4-0 win over Burscough FC last weekend: a moment which feels like a far cry away from the uncertainty of recent years.
A NWCFL Division One North title did come during the Bury AFC era.
It was only back in 2019 that Bury were dismissed from the EFL entirely, splintering into two teams after 125 years; fast forward to 2025 and now the Greater Manchester club are looking to reconsolidate their position in the football pyramid with efforts such as this latest commercial move.
Also founded in Bury back in 1981, JD Sports is the latest and most established local organisation to sponsor The Shakers to date, marking a big step forward for those around Gigg Lane.
While the exact nature of their collaboration (i.e. featuring logo on kits, around the stadium and so on) is yet to be detailed, nor has the initial length of the partnership deal been confirmed, getting the brand on board is still a big coup.
Not only is the retailer a well-known name in sports apparel and high-street fashion, with their own line of more than 90 JD Gyms across the UK too, but as a fellow local turned nationwide business from the same borough, their success story is also one that Bury FC can take plenty of inspiration from.
With a league record-breaking 8,719 fans filing into their historic home ground for the final game of the season, demonstrating an extraordinary level of support and loyalty throughout the community, teaming up with JD is an extension of “reignited pride” and brings football back to the heart of the local area.
As for JD – which also boasts a glowing global presence in over 36 countries – sports partnership manager Abi Haywood went on to add: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Bury FC, a club that sits at the heart of our community. As a company founded in Bury, this partnership means a lot to us.
“It’s about more than football – it’s about giving back to the town that helped shape who we are. We’re proud to support Bury FC and to play a part in the club’s future, both on and off the pitch.”
Over 8,700 fans in attendance at Gigg Lane to see Bury FC win 4-0, confirming their first promotion since being expelled from the EFL in 2019…
The Shakers signed off the announcement by stating: “As Bury FC continues its mission to climb back up the football pyramid, the Club remains deeply committed to regaining its place at the heart of the community.
“With the support of local businesses, lifelong fans, and a town full of pride, Bury FC is building a future worthy of its historic name.”
Here’s hoping this is just the start of an already brilliant comeback and that Bury never need come back from so close to the brink again.
The Manc -
24th November 2020 
