A huge – and completely free – fitness class is happening in Manchester this week, and it could very well be the opportunity to kickstart your health and fitness journey you’ve been waiting for.

Now, I’ll be the first to acknowledge that mustering the strength, the energy and simply the sheer will to attend exercise classes can be a challenge but, as the festive season and an abundance of booze and pigs in blankets approach, it is more important than ever to stay on top of your health.

And luckily for you lot, the opportunity to test the waters for free will be presenting itself this week courtesy of the globally acclaimed fitness company, F45 Track.

F45 Track

Having made its debut in LA back in 2019, F45 Track does what it says on the tin by hosting forty-five minute outdoor training sessions that offer both the public and F45 members a variation of in-studio sessions, all with the aim to burn 750 calories in the forty-five minute time slot.

The ‘F’ stands for ‘Functional Training’, which is a mix of circuit and HIIT style workouts geared towards everyday movement. And the forty-five? Well, that’s the total amount of time for, in their words, ‘sweat-dripping, heart-pumping fun’.

@pullyjj / Instagram

@lewisjonesfitness / Instagram

The company has since expanded to locations all across the globe and has enjoyed a number of celebrity clients like Man United legend David Beckham, who took part in F45 Track workouts during the 2020 lockdowns. 

But putting the glitz and the glamour of celebrity clients to one side, F45 Track’s latest project here in Manchester is offering a FREE fitness class this week courtesy of F45 NQ and the F45 Salford Central.

Yep, completely free for anyone who wants to take part, no strings attached.

The ‘biggest fitness class in Manchester’ will be taking place this Thursday, September 21st and will be hosted by Cory George, F45’s Global Head of Fitness, who will be flying in from LA specially for the event. 

There will also be fresh smoothies, drinks, and healthy snacks provided throughout the event. 

@zobarks / Instagram

Those wanting to take part will simply need to bring a towel, a water bottle and plenty of energy to The Love Factory at 5:30pm, rearing and ready for the 6pm start. 

There’s space for 2,000 people to take part so register yourself and your friends here. You can also head over to the F45 website and Instagram page for news and updates. 

Manchester’s resident ping-pong bar Twenty Twenty Two is giving away free drinks to anyone who can beat their bartenders at ping pong or darts.

While Twenty Twenty Two has always been famous for its abundance of ping pong tables, underground brick bunker vibes, indoor cinema screenings and cool wall art, it is now known for something else: Darts.

The establishment’s Dead Eye Dart Club is a fantastic new addition to the Northern Quarter’s drinking scene; a no-fuss darts dive bar that pairs the game with music and signature cocktails.

@tttmcr / Instagram

There’s also a wide selection of drinks available for guests to sip while they play, with happy hour offers including £15 bottles of prosecco and £5 cocktails every Wednesday.

And now, the venue has combined its love of both ping-pong, darts and booze with the launch of its ‘Beat The Bartender’ competition.

Every Thursday night, guests are given the opportunity to double their round for the price of one by taking on one of the bartenders in a game of ping pong or darts. If they win, they get their next round on the house.

@tttmcr / Instagram

Speaking previously to the MEN, owner Jamie Scahill explained the inspiration behind the unusual concept, saying it actually came from a ‘drunken conversation in Dr Pong in Berlin’.

He said: “We had plans to open the ping-pong room and needed ideas for the Saturday night, and came up with the idea of combining the three together with a free party every week.

“I think because it’s off the beaten track a little bit it takes a bit more effort to find and we have interesting events mixed with some fine DJs and good booze.”

Beat The Bartender is available every Thursday – just ask your friendly bartender for more details.

Deansgate is set to welcome a brand new sports bar complete with twenty screens, an outdoor terrace, live bands and karaoke next month.

Box – an already well known bar in Leeds city centre – will be taking over two floors in a building down Deansgate, just a stone’s throw away from Spinningfields. 

The bar will be showing an array of sport including football, cricket and boxing and, unlike other sports bars of its nature, will also offer live entertainment including ‘bandeoke’, where customers can take over the mic and join a live band on stage. 

@theboxbaruk / Instagram

@theboxbaruk / Instagram

For more on the entertainment front, there will be two 21-foot European Shuffleboard tables, twenty state-of-the-art television screens and a busy events programme of live apres-ski style bands and DJs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

There will also be an extensive drinks menu, including beer tanks filled with fresh Budvar, delivered weekly from the Czech Republic, and cocktails such as pornstar martinis and espresso martinis on tap, alongside cocktail steins and four-litre beer towers.

The bar comes courtesy of Arc Inspirations, the company behind existing Manchester sites Banyan and Manahatta. 

Martin Wolstencroft, CEO of Arc Inspirations, said: “We’re delighted to finally be introducing our BOX brand to Manchester for its much-anticipated launch.

@theboxbaruk / Instagram

@theboxbaruk / Instagram

“It’s exciting to be opening the doors next month to guests, especially after what’s been a challenging time for everyone.

“We’re confident the good folk of Manchester will enjoy BOX’s high-energy experience and overall, come to us for some great fun.

“The bar will also create seventy new local jobs for the local community, and we’re keen to hear from people interested in working in a fast-growing, dynamic company.”

Box Manchester is set to open its doors at some point in November – head over to their website and Instagram page for news and updates.