Manchester Academy of Gymnastics

Manchester Academy of Gymnastics offers gymnastics to adults and children, plus boxing classes, and training in parkour.

There’s some serious talent in this building – in the coaching team and in the students. The Director of Coaching is the joint head coach of the English Gymnastics Team, while on the boxing side of the gym, the coach is former European super featherweight champion Stephen Foster Jr.

Gymnastics classes are based on ability with the opportunity to progress through different levels. It’s about skill but also enjoyment. Gymnasts with serious potential are scouted from these recreational sessions to the Manchester Academy of Gymnastics Squads which compete in national and international competitions.

There’s also an amazing play gym session on weekday mornings. It’s a bit of a free-for-all, particularly in the school holidays with kids getting to try their hand at all sorts: from trampolines to rings to just diving in to a big pit of shredded foam. You have to book in advance and it’s a bit of a rigmarole but persevere.

Work up an appetite and then have a cheese toastie or a jacket potato in the cafe afterwards.