We all know the simple ways of keeping fit; take the stairs, walk rather than drive and drink enough water. However great these ideas are, they remain basic and there is always more to be done… Especially with the remnants of our Easter chocolate lurking in our cupboards. So, whether you’re a fitness fanatic or a first timer looking to dabble in the fitness world, there are plenty of activities available across Manchester city centre.

With so much choice available, finding the right activity can be time consuming. Luckily, we have done all the hard work for you. If you want a rundown of all the best places to go and sweat, read on.

Do some Yoga

It’s a craze we’ve all heard of, testing balance and core strength, whilst giving the mind a moment of relaxation. And in today’s busy world, with constant iPhone notifications and emails clogging up your brain, sometimes you need to dedicate an hour to forget about the everyday stresses of life. Yoga is perfect for that. If you’re a little worried about heading into the gym for your class, why not consider The Whitworth’s Great Escape Yoga Class? The class is set in the tranquil settings of the Whitworth Art Gallery, designed to make you feel energised and peaceful. All you have to do is bring your own yoga mat.

Where? Whitworth Art Gallery

When? Thursdays, 8.30am – 9.30am.

Price? £5

Take a swim

Swimming is a great way to get all your muscles working at once, keeping your heart rate up as well as helping to build endurance. The benefits of swimming regularly are endless; it can help to alleviate stress or even improve coordination and flexibility. So, why not take to the water at Manchester Aquatics Centre? Boasting a huge 50m swimming pool, it’s a cheap and fun way to keep fit.

If group classes are more your thing, there are plenty of lessons to get your heart rate pumping in the city – and a lot of the time, it doesn’t even feel like exercise. Manchester Aquatics Centre host a weekly water workout, designed to be an energetic and sociable full-body workout whilst in the water.

Where? Manchester Aquatics Centre

When? Thursdays, 11.30am – 12.30pm

Price? First class is FREE!

Go dancing...

Dance classes are amongst the most popular, and that is no surprise when a 30-minute dance session is said to burn as many calories as jogging. With numerous dance studios in and around the city centre specialising in everything from Ballet to Zumba, there will be a style to suit you – here are a few of our favourites:

Zumba

Of course, Zumba had to feature on this list. It’s a great way to burn calories whilst throwing some serious shapes in the gym. With classes taking place in most gyms and leisure centres across the city, it is a fun, fast-paced activity, so round up your friends and get yourselves to your local Zumba Fitness class.

The Lindy Hop at The Refuge

If you want to try out a totally different kind of dance, why not give the Lindy Hop a go? The ballroom swing style evolved from the Charleston in the early 1900’s and remains a popular form of dance. Manchester Lindy are a group of enthusiastic Lindy dancers who wanted to bring their love of music and dance to the people of Manchester. The group offer a weekly dance class, followed by a social event, making it a great way to meet new people, keep fit, and have fun at the same time. Manchester Lindy pride themselves on their community feel, so you’ll be sure to feel right at home in no time at all. They have different teachers every week, so you can expect to learn something new from each class. Manchester Lindy host regular live bands and weekly classes in the magnificent setting of the Principal Hotel, so you’ll be dancing like a Strictly Come Dancing Champion in no time…

Where? The Refuge, part of The Principal Hotel
When? Every Tuesday night, beginners class starting at 7.45pm – and from 8.30pm onwards enjoy their social dancing to a live band or DJ.
Price? £5 for the whole evening, including the after class social event

Dance the Blues at Rain Bar

Not only is Blues music relaxing, but dancing the Blues is another great way to keep active and social. ‘Honey Blues Dancing’ is a weekly run Blues dance class, offering sessions every Monday evening. It doesn’t matter if you are a newbie to the Blues, or a seasoned professional. Honey Blues’ main goal is that everyone who attends has fun. Lessons take place in the upstairs area of Rain Bar, so you can guarantee that their after class social event will be a good laugh, too.

Where? Rain Bar, Manchester city centre
When? Every Monday night, classes are from 8-9pm, with dancing ending at 10.30pm
Price? £6 for the class and social, with a discount for students.

Here at Manchester Apartments, we know that sometimes you might need a little push to get out there and start these new activities, so we sent Wojciech Cymerlik from La Suerte Dance School to our Westpoint development to give residents a taste of Salsa dancing, and to show them how easy and fun it really is. The free class was designed to bring our residents together as a community and to show how easy it is to make friends and get fit together – A big thank you to La Suerte Dance School for providing the class and showing our residents the world of Salsa Dancing. For those of you who attended, we hope it inspired you to continue with your salsa lessons.

What’s your favourite way to keep fit? Let us know any tricks and tips in the comments, or join the discussion on our Twitter page.