Withington Pool and Fitness Centre

Withington ‘Baths’ is a seriously old school swimming pool — and has played host to entire generations of South Mancunian schoolchildren who have been dragged their by their teachers in the pursuit of being taught how to swim. I should know, I was one of them (as was my Dad).
I still have incredibly fond memories of the place — this huge Victorian monument to the pursuit of health, which towered over Withington belching out steam and chlorine fumes. The changing rooms smelt of feet, and our swimming teachers ranged from the disinterested to the downright sadistic. I still have nightmares about having to dive into the pool in my pyjamas in order to locate a plastic brick from its slimy depths.
I still go to the baths occasionally for a quick swim, as well as to sweat out various accumulated impurities in its sauna. Not much has changed since my primary school days. The main tiled pool still looks slightly dilapidated, the lockers still look as though someone’s been going around headbutting them, and the building still looks like an old Victorian sanitorium for the mentally disturbed. Yet, it still provides a vital service to the local Withington community, and is great value for money. And, it’s nice to know that whilst Withington may be changing all the time, the baths is still a small moment of the past suspended in time — always different yet always the same.

The beauty of Withington gym is its central location. It is just of Withington high street and is very accessible and has a car park. The facilities are average. The gym is quite small and is very busy during 5 – 7 in the evening. The pool again is small and often busy with lesson for school children. There is also a sauna. The centre offers a range of classes, which I enjoy. The price of the gym is great and has special student offers. I always find the gym clean and the staff are friendly and helpful.

I’ve only recently started going heredon’t know why I missed the place ouy when it’s practically on my doorstep.
I go here mainly for the pool (when I cannot be revved up enough to go to the aquatic centre) and what a pool! All Victorian charm and I’d hazard a guess that there aren’t that many of this type still standing. I started to go here a while back when my daughter started swimming and I immediately took to the place. I can walk here for a start (it’s also directly facing a 111 bus stop); it’s cheap and besides the pool they have a gym; I quite like the old fashioned changing rooms next to the poolI feel I should be wearing an old fashioned bathing suit whilst sipping from a glass of Pimms and lemonade.
The pay monthly (over the extortionate contracts organised by the chains) is a good idea.
At the front desk they also stock exercise paraphernalia, goggles, swim hats and such like.
I shall go there again sometime this week and treat my myriad, if not entirely toned, muscles to a healthy ‘aeroboswim’.

If you’re looking for an affordable place to keep fit, or just want to go casually for a swim/​gym session/​fitness class this place is ideal.
I’m not one for being tied down. In gym contracts I mean. So, this centre is great for me. You can pay monthly for under 30 (student and Manchester city council workers have discounts) or just pay as you go.
There’a pool, gym with free weights as well as cardio equipment, and a dance studio for classes. Everything you need really minus the swanky changing rooms and posh jacuzzi. But then, you’re not being charged the Earth either!