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Gyms operated on behalf of Manchester City Council will be reopening to help you return to gyms as safely as possible.
From Monday 12 April the folllowing community gyms will be open to the public:
Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre (See VIDEO what you need to know in advance)
Belle Vue Leisure Centre
East Manchester Leisure Centre (See VIDEO what you need to know in advance)
Hough End Leisure Centre (See VIDEO what you need to know in advance)
Manchester Aquatics Centre
Moss Side Leisure Centre (See VIDEO what you need to know in advance)
North City Family & Fitness Centre (See VIDEO what you need to know in advance)
Whalley Range Sports Centre
Wythenshawe Forum
IMPORTANT: All gym sessions must be booked in advance online or via the app before your visit.
To book a gym session, click on your local gym below and follow the instructions. You can book the first 5 online or via the Better UK app. If you want to know how to download and use the App, click here.
Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre
East Manchester Leisure Centre
North City Family & Fitness Centre
For Wythenshawe Forum, customers can book online or using the Everyone Active app.
Under the new regulations, when you visit your local leisure centre, you’ll be able to use the machines, weights and do floor training exercises at the gym. Whether you prefer a dumbbell workout, a session on the machines or equipment-free cardio.
For Better members, Better at Home offers a wide range of on demand and streamed classes which you can access via the Better UK App.
For Wythenshawe Forum members, you can also access many fitness resources via Everyone On Demand.
To ensure as many of our members as possible can come back and participate in exercise therefore, members can only book sessions for up to an hour for an effective workout. For Wythenshawe Forum members, the time will be subject to 50 minutes so the team can then have 10 minutes to sanitise all the equipment before the next booking slot.
PT sessions can be booked in line with existing procedures however a gym session will need to be booked via Better UK app for the hour period you are with a Personal Trainer.
For Wythenshawe Forum, customers can book using the Everyone Active app.
Some of the equipment has been taken out of service to enable social distancing measures. If you are not sure what gym equipment you can use, please ask a member of staff.
We urge all staff and members to be responsible for creating a clean and safe environment for everyone. The following will be implemented to achieve this:
Yes. Across all our centres, we’re confident in our competence to minimise the risk of infection and keep our members and staff safe. We’ll be implementing increased cleaning procedures to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and disinfection and will have consistent social distancing measures in place to create a safe environment for you.
We’re also asking members and staff not to visit the centre if they feel unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms and there will be clear signage to reflect this.
Will hand sanitiser and cleaning supplies be provided in the centre?
Yes. It’ll be compulsory for members and staff to use hand sanitiser at the entrance of all centres. There’ll also be numerous sanitisation stations located throughout centres. Antibacterial spray and blue roll will be provided for you to clean your equipment and mats before and after use.
Will staff be wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)?
In line with Public Health England and UK Active guidance, staff will be provided with adequate PPE to ensure both their own safety and yours. Public Health England guidance states that PPE should be used where physical distancing can’t be maintained, or the possibility for exposure is high so members of staff will be wearing PPE where the social distancing rule can't be adhered to, when providing care or undertaking close proximity work.
Staff have also undertaken increased training modules on COVID-19 prevention and have been instructed to use cleaning kits as often as possible.
How can I, as a member help?
Please contribute to keeping our centres clean by sanitising your hands upon entry to the centre and using our hygiene stations and disposable wipes. We’re asking members to support hygiene by cleaning each piece of equipment before and after their workout.
You must come changed ready for your session in the gym and remember to take any personal belongings around the workout areas such as clothing or drink bottles. Avoid turning up without a pre booked activity. If you have not booked, you will be asked when greeted at reception to book before entering via app or shown how to book online in centre (if available).
Please wait outside and away from the entrance or in your car until your booked time slot.
Will there be changes to the centre opening hours?
Following Government guidelines, we may be offering restricted hours initially to ensure everyone’s health and safety, where gym or pool opening times may vary, please check in advance.
Do members need to wear masks?
Across our facilities staff & customers must wear face masks, and as per the latest Government guidelines, it is not recommended that customers wear masks whilst exercising. Current Government guidance also states that you must wear a face mask in concourse areas – which will apply to the Wythenshawe Forum only, but members are able to take it off once through the turnstiles and in the facility.
How do I check in for my activity upon arrival?
There’ll be someone to meet and greet you to show you the way. You will be manually checked-in by a member of staff. Please follow social distancing rules. The check-in for your pre booking upon arrival will be distanced and contactless.
Is there a time limit on my visit?
We ask that customers only book one gym session per day, so everyone has the opportunity to utilise the facilities.
Members will be able to book their gym session up-to 7-days in advance. Non-members will be able to book their session up-to 5-days in advance. Customers need to pre book visits via Better UK. For Wythenshawe Forum, customers can book via Everyone Active.
Please consider other members and only book one gym slot per day to allow as many people as possible to benefit from exercise and physical activity whilst capacity is limited. All bookings are limited to an hour.
However, customers at Wythenshawe Forum will be able to book other activities per day including 1 swim session (when available) as they want as long as times for classes do not overlap. This will be reviewed on a regular basis and will update you if we are able to unwind this.
Will there be changes to the class timetable?
Please note, classes are temporarily suspended due to Tier 3 restrictions.
Do I need to arrive early for my booked class?
Please ensure you arrive on time. If you arrive early, you’ll need to queue outside and if you arrive late, you won’t be allowed access to the leisure centre.
Wythenshawe Forum Only - Will my Everyone Active Card let me swipe through the turnstiles and into the gym?
Access through the turnstiles will be based on bookings alone. Members will be able to gain entry at the turnstiles 5 minutes before the time of booking and through the gym doors / turnstiles 2 minutes before the time of booking only.
Withington Baths and Leisure Centre Only – Will there be any changes to visits?
Withington Baths and Leisure Centre will be offering lane swimming, swimming lessons and gym.
Numbers will be limited to a maximum of 27 in the pool (as per Swim England guidelines) and 25 in the gym (with every other piece of CV equipment out of use). Busy sessions in the pool will be on a band system and the gym will be monitored at peak times to ensure we do not exceed our revised capacity.
What happens if I can no longer make my booked session?
Wythenshawe Forum - Activities & classes can be cancelled either online or via the Everyone Active app. If you are unable to attend such bookings, you must cancel as soon as possible. If your booking was not included in your membership cost and paid for, you will be required to contact your centre to cancel and arrange a refund or change of session. If you cancel within four hours of your booked class or activity start time, you may be subject to a penalty charge of £4.00.
We understand things come up and you may need to cancel your workout. Out of consideration for fellow members, we ask that you cancel your booking no later than 2 hours before the activity start time to allow another member to take your time slot. You can manage and cancel your bookings through the Better UK app.
Will there be changing rooms and lockers available?
Lockers, changing rooms, toilets and showers will be open and in use for all customers..
If possible, we encourage you to shower and get changed at home.
For Arcadia, Moss Side, North City, East Manchester and Hough End Leisure Centres toilets will remain open, changing rooms and showers will be open for swimmers only, changing rooms and showers will not be available for gym / fitness class users.
Please limit your personal belongings and only use a locker if absolutely necessary. Hair dryers will be available, but we encourage you to dry your hair at home.
Can I use the sauna and steam room?
All saunas and steam rooms are now open.
Will the café be opening?
Cafés are now open along with communal and spectator spaces
Pre-booked sessions: All activities must be pre-booked via Better UK. For Wythenshawe Forum, customers can book via Everyone Active.
Social distancing signage: Floor markers will be applied to show where to stand and where relevant, directional signs indicating one-way systems.
Revised capacities for all activities: To avoid overcrowding, we’ll be limiting how many people can access the gym, swimming pool and group exercise classes at any one time.
Workout classes: Capped attendance, so class-goers can keep to a safe distance at all times. No member interaction or shared equipment.
Fewer showers and changing rooms: If possible, we ask that people shower and change at home after their activity.
There will be no water in use across the centres. Bring your own water bottle and stay hydrated. Please also bring with you a towel and hand sanitiser, if possible.
You can also watch centre specific videos in advance of your visit to get an additional understanding on what to expect before you visit;
Moss Side Leisure Centre (See VIDEO )
Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre (See VIDEO)
Hough End Leisure Centre (See VIDEO)
East Manchester Leisure Centre (See VIDEO)
North City Family & Fitness Centre (See VIDEO)
Wythenshawe Forum (See VIDEO)
I am over 70, can I still come to the centre?
Those who are not shielding at home are more than welcome to visit the centre. Please remember that all activities must be pre-booked before attending via the Better UK app. For Wythenshawe Forum, customers can book using the Everyone Active app.
Can I access other centres if my main centre is at capacity?
Yes, other centres will be opening city wide access to give as much flexibility as possible during this reopening period.
Members of the following centres can access any of the other facilities: Moss Side Leisure Centre, Arcadia Library & Leisure Centre, Hough End Leisure Centre, East Manchester Leisure Centre and North City Family & Fitnes Centre.
If Wythenshawe Forum is not your home centre, you can still access the facilities but will be asked to pay a day rate and book a session online.
How will I receive support with my fitness journey if I don’t want to come back to the centre straight away/I can’t make it as much as I used to before lockdown?
You can still access various activities from our centres to get involved with at home, giving a range of activities to help move more each day and stay healthy while you’re not at the centre.
You can continue to check this website for regular updates and any impact across Manchester. We’ll also continue to use MCRactive Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as a central resource for everyone to understand the changing landscape, where we also welcome feedback or questions for anyone wanting to know more.
You can sign-up for ‘MCRactive Voice’ here to receive fortnightly updates and information direct to your inbox OR visit Everyone On Demand or Better UK app.
Can I bring a friend using a day pass?
When we reopen, we’ll be looking out for our members to ensure that they’re able to return to the centre. Unfortunately, day passes won’t be accepted until further notice.
I usually work out with a friend. Can I still do this?
Please be mindful of social distancing measures and limitations to physical contact. You may need to adapt your training, for example, you won’t be able to spot each other or share weights.
You shouldn’t share any equipment without cleaning first.
If I feel unwell, what should I do?
If you, or anyone in your household, feels unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms, please stay at home, and don’t visit the centre.
What do I do if another member breaches the guidelines?
Please inform a member of staff. We ask all members and staff to adhere to guidelines and will be operating a zero-tolerance policy.
When will you be lifting the restrictions?
We will continue to follow guidance from the Government, Sport England, Public Health England, UK Active and Swim England to make sure we keep you safe. We will ease restrictions when we have been advised that it is safe to do so. We will keep you updated regularly.
For anything else, please contact your pool directly, we're here to help on our journey back to being active together, and understanding how this 'new normal' works for all.
