One of my close friends Marksie lives just a short drive into Manchester City Centre and had been banging on about some 'boss gyms'. So, with a week gap in my diary, I hopped on the Avanti West Coast from Euston and decided to see if we can uncover the best bodybuilding gyms in Manchester.
Bodybuilding Gyms and Manchester
This city isn’t just a place known for gloryhunting football fans to never visit, it’s also had a pretty banging music scene over the years. But what we came for, was to find out what was the best gym for bodybuilders in Manchester, and with one of our Best in the UK winners situated here, we thought we should take a look around and see if there is anything else worth racking the weights up at.
We found some winners and we think you’ll agree.
Jump to: Best Complete Bodybuilder’s Gym – Frontline Fit Performance Centre
Jump to: Best Old School Style Gym – Federation Gym
History of bodybuilding and Manchester
Manchester has a decent bodybuilding pedigree on the global stage. Sure, it’s no Vegas or Venice Beach but it has had its moments. Just after the Second World War, the city starting discovering its own talent around 1955, with the first Mr Manchester. That man was Derek Clements – a local lad, while a couple of year later, another Mancunian, John Lees, won the NABBA Mr. Universe title in 1957. NABBA still operates today, and it’s a feeder competition for European and International events. In fact NABBA helped put the Mr Universe competition on the world map.
In the 80s and 90s with the launch of Olympic Sports Gym in 1983 under Mick Clegg the scene continued to grow, with locally hosted events attracting big names in the physique world, such as the reigning Mr Olympia at the Manchester hosted British GP. So, safe to say, there is a city here with a little of its own proud history to show off.
Is bodybuilding popular in the Manchester?
Bodybuilding is as popular as ever in Manchester, with a ton of quality gyms investing into making great experiences for lifters across the conurbation. While the place may not be exactly a regular recipient of beach weather, people take pride in their appearance up here and that means good places to train.
How we picked the best gyms around Manchester?
All of our gym reviews are impartial, unbiased and we always pay our way. We love great gyms and we do this to help those independent centres thrive, which is why we want our readers to know they can trust this bodybuilding gym review in Manchester. Our goal is to make you feel like a mention from us, is one worth considering.
As PT trained gym goers, fully subscribed Sam Sulek viewers and fans of a protein bar, we like to think we know how to spot a decent place to train if you’re serious about hypertrophy. And beyond the standard checks we do, such as breadth and depth of machines for body parts, credible brands etc, we look out for the quirky extras too. From a barbers in the best gym in Alicante, to never having cleaned the gym kit at Metroflex in Texas – it’s those small details that matter to us and we think to you too.
That, is how we picked the best gyms here, and we hope you find something for you.
Winner - Best Overall Bodybuilders Gym In Manchester
Frontline Performance Gym - City Centre, Manchester
Hidden close as you like to Manchester Piccadilly station, is a gym equipped with all major commercial brands and looking like something you’d expect to see on Instagram. It crossed my radar a couple of years back when I was talking to Watson, and again from my Northern buddy. They have had their doors open now for 10 years plus and they remain highly regarded amongst both IFBB pros and regular Joe and Pams like you and I.
As I rolled up to the doors in what looked like a pretty ordinary narrow street on the outskirts of a big city, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Once I stepped inside I felt like this should be a high rep cutting cycle day. What am I talking about?
Some gyms give off an angry vibe (in a good way), a mood that makes you fired up and ready to drag out the darkest leg session of your life. While others make you feel like you should be bouncing around, smiling, squeezing out reps and winking at your front double bicep pose in the mirror.
This, in every way good, is FLF. Let’s do push day :)
Why we love Frontline Fit Performance - Manchester City Centre
The location is great, the equipment range is pretty unrivalled this side of the North West but most of all, the place feels like somewhere you want to come back to time and time again. The atmosphere feels motivational I think is the phrase I’m trying to land on.
Equipment wise, they’re decked out in Watson, but they’ve also got Prime Fitness, which I love using for higher rep training. Prime has the secondary adjustments, so you can increase the tension – or the bite, at varying stages of the movement. This place is fitted out by people who are into the industry and not just ‘we could open a gym here’ kind of folks.
They care, and it comes through clearly. From the music, to the big open warehouse style space, and the way other trainers treat the place. When you’re somewhere you value being, you tend to be less of a chump about how you present yourself. Space wise, there was never an issue, and there are plenty of barbell racks. Admittedly, I had zero intention of using those today, and focused on something that would look good in a t-shirt on a night out!
Favourite thing? 2 things in particular. 1, the darkened rooms upholstery/design, I always think I can focus on a workout more, than when I’m not being blinded by illuminosity; and 2, massive useful astro strip. So often, these things are in the way of a walking area, or are a bit pony. This is of a size you can even practise your 40 yard dash, or at least do walking lunges without hindrance.
Solid find. Go see it for yourself.
How to find Frontline Performance in Manchester
I’m going to be best here giving advice as a tourist to the city. I came up to Manchester for the weekend, which meant a train from Euston to Piccadilly. From Piccadilly it’s a short walk, 2-3 minutes up to Frontline Performance, not far at all. If you’re coming by car, there is parking around. FLF is on a bit of a narrow street and while half the world and his wife dump their car on the kerb aiming for a wing mirror event, there is a parking lot on Travis Street just off Fairfield about 300m away.
If you’re visiting outside of normal gym peak hours though, you’ll more than likely find a spot outside. There are no double yellows or anything to land you a ticket.
Address: 97 N Western St, Manchester M12 6JL, United Kingdom
Staffed Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 24 Hour access.
Catering to a community that often work late hours or in the night industry, 24/7 access is a top tier move.
Day Passes: £7 ($9)
Monthly £28-39 – Depends on duration. Rolling with cash is £39.
Pay in full annually is £335 (Prices as 2024) – Which brings monthly rate to £28.
5.0 / 5.0 | 312 Reviews
Our favourite:
“The best gym in Manchester. Absolutely kitted out with Prime and Atlantis equipment, the best place around for bodybuilding training. Staff and owner all extremely welcoming and friendly. Stocked up with ready to go shakes, supplements, bars etc. Definitely recommend.”
Source: Google
Short walk from multiple tube stations and mainline rail lines
Cheap for a day pass
Protein meals/shakes available
Rooms for each muscle group
Additional Cardio options
24 hour access
Frequented by IFBB Pros.
Kit: Prime Fitness, Atlantis, Nautilus, Watson
It’s busy in some spaces, namely the upper body free weight area as you walk in. This can mean peak flex days (weekends – Friday nights) get a little harder to train. We train legs on Friday nights for this reason. No one but a psychopath is hitting a quad workout on a Friday night.
The other downside – is perhaps the lack of RARRRRR vibe. Which is probably an upside for others. I like my bodybuilding gyms to smash out the darkest of metal or the heaviest of beats. This is why the gym feels more community minded than hardcore, which is absolutely fine.
Winner - Best Hardcore Bodybuilding Gym In Manchester
I spent a bit of time looking around for gyms in Manchester that had more of a locked in vibe. Something that felt a little brutalist but was still well equipped. Somewhere I could imagine, wouldn’t have a ton of people still sat on their first set but 3 Instagram videos viewed deep. A good friend of mine used to work in the Northern Quarter and he whatsapped me a place called Federation Gym.
I took a lot at their website and said – “Let’s do this!”
You want a bodybuilding gym in Manchester without people setting up tripods for their next Reel? Then look no further. This place is Anti-filming, bang slap in fun food central, and looks like someone has taken an interrogation basement from a CIA Black Site and shoved in class gym equipment.
This is our winner of the best hardcore bodybuilding gym in Manchester.
Federation Gym - Northern Quarter, Manchester
After an initial scare, as we drove down roads that looked like no cars are allowed, we found our war to a street near by that offered pay and display parking. This gym is in office/warehouse land central, so it has these alleyway style roads. But as with most things up North, parking was cheap and after making sure there was no one around to rob these Southerner’s of their car tyres etc we grabbed our wrist straps and ventured off to sample some lovely knurling.
What did we train here?
This little Posterior Chain Workout. (click the link for the workout plan)
Why we love...LOVE Federation Gym - Northern Quarter
What did I call this? The Hostel of gyms! By which I mean, it has something a little edge about it. I don’t mean, it looks like a hostel, I am referring to that movie by the same name. In truth this place is pretty slick. It’s not the biggest space in the world, but no central city gym ever truly is. To me this was a bit of a gem of a find.
I didn’t expect to discover what felt quite a hardcore gym in the middle of trendy NOHO, and you’ll be glad you visited it too. It feels Brutalist in design, an aesthetic that most Soviet powerlifters slapped chalk around in for decades. But that’s everything I want sometimes.
Big wins? Day pass is very reasonable considering what your postcode is, anti-filming policy, and the toys are elite.
Talking of toys, Federation has the right kit for the job. The picture below is probably the best way of explaining this.
Some gyms go and strike a deal with a brand like Technogym. You’ll see every bit of weight equipment is all of the same name plate. But that ignores the fact, that each brand has a strength in different areas. Panatta has an amazing leg extension, but I think their pyramid plate loaded press is a bit impractical for incline. You get the point. Gyms that have different make equipment at this level, have done so because the gym to them, is a labour of love.
I respect that.
Dumbbells run higher than most of us can lift and the environment feels community spirit meets strength. This place didn’t make me want to start doing cardio sprints, or get out my camera phone and tripod (you’re not allowed to anyway), but I did want to put on my weight belt and lift heavy…all done to the backing track of Hatebreed.
Just to repeat one more time – they have a no filming policy. It’s like life but 30 years ago. Bliss!
Well done Federation, you’re the best hardcore bodybuilding gym in Manchester’s City Centre.
How to find Federation Gym in the Northern Quarter (M1)
Federation Gym is quite city central, so if you’re making a trip by car to the place, you are likely wanting to find a multi-storey nearby. It caters well to those trendy types who work in a warehouse style office near by, but we had a little nightmare finding a spot to ditch my buddy’s car who drove up from Hale. Double yellows everywhere and that’s because a lot of the streets around here are barely wide enough for a David Lloyd PT’s neck.
In the end we found a few pay and display bays on a road called Houldsworth St. Click the link for the map pin to the spaces.
A little later we looked at the map and saw it’s a 10 minute walk from both Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly. You don’t need a car if you are able to get in via rail. Then you can have a post workout smash up too and lose all your gains.
Address: Unit 2, 60 Spear St, Manchester M1 1AW, United Kingdom
Staffed Hours:
Monday – Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: 8 am–8 pm
Sunday: 8 am–8 pm
Day Passes: £8.50 ($10)
Monthly £25-40
Pay in full annually is £300 (Prices as 2024) – Which brings monthly rate to £25 ($30).
5.0 / 5.0 | 81 Reviews
Our favourite:
“I have been a member for more than 6 months now, and out of all the gyms I’ve tried during the 4 years I’ve lived in Manchester, Federation is by far the best. It was built by passionate people for passionate people, focusing primarily on bodybuilding and powerlifting (don’t go if you’re looking for a spa—this place is for real work). It has brand new equipment, high-quality machines, and even a physio on-site. Moreover, the staff is lovely, the coaches are really helpful, and the atmosphere they’ve created is very positive. They also offer meals and a wide variety of protein-packed treats on-site. Come and see for yourself :)”
Source: Google
Off Street Parking
Day Passes Available
Used By Current & Ex IFBB Pros
Supplement Shop + Protein Meals & Shakes Available
IVANKO Plates
Dumbbells To 260lbs (120kg)
Nice Airflow From Industrial Fans
24 Hour Access – Weekdays
Good Range Of Back Machines
Three areas that I’d touch on. 1 of which is not really a biggie, so I’ll start with that. It’s located very centrally, so parking is always going to be a little tougher. But you’re walking distance from most things, so, use your legs.
The gym isn’t enormous, again, a by-product of its location and to be fair, the quality of equipment more than makes up for it. It’s Watson, and you know what we think about that brand…beautiful.
Finally, and this is a common one, it’s not 24 hours, but if you’re in the city on work or travel, that shouldn’t likely impact you too much.
Other Great Bodybuilder Gyms In Manchester
So that’s two of our favourite bodybuilding gyms in Manchester, but there’s a few more we wanted to give a shout out too. You can read about those below. But before you do, we want to hear from you also – what other hardcore training facilities should make our list? What makes your gym worthy of getting on this list? Drop us a message on Insta to @barbellsabroad.
Dave's Gym & Fitness: 'Best Bodybuilding Gym In Northwich'
Hard to knock this place, if you’re in the Greater Manchester area and can get to Northwich we discovered this gem just because of its name. Any gym that lacks pretentions and names themselves after me, is always going to pique my interest.
What I loved about Dave’s is the sea of cable columns, the designated space for abs and stretching upstairs and the fact that this place is decked out with both plate loaded and selectorised kit, as well as Eleiko plates and brands like Nautilus. It’s got a very clear old school gym vibe and a nice atmosphere. If your gym is over 50 years old, you’re doing something right.
Pricing: 1 Day Pass = £7: 1 Month £25
Find Them: Millbank/Off, Station Rd, Northwich CW9 5RB
Proper Gym: 'Best Bodybuilding Gym You Can Bring Mum too'
Close to the City, I always like to find a gym you could take your mum to, but know you’d have a decent workout too. My ex wife was never a fan of my daily gym as she felt it a little intimidating, Proper Gym is a lovely place to train. It’s been around for a while and offers classes too.
Is it the most hardcore place to train? No, but when you see plate loaded gym equipment you tend to rest easy. I hit a GVT back workout here, and so it was mint finding the T-Bar. They have plenty of barbell spots, which made knocking out bent over rows a breeze without ruining workouts for those needing a rack for legs. Nice place and with deservedly good Google rating.
Pricing: 1 Day = £9 per day: 1 week £20
Find Them: Spectator Mill, 4 Spectator St, Manchester M4 7HS
Muscle Manor: 'Best Bodybuilding Gym In Withington'
A little outside of the central tract of Manchester city, takes you down past Longsight and into Withington. We hopped in the car and found this modern industrial style gym. Very much a weights gym, with a nice aesthetic. It may sound silly, but the presentation of a gym for me can make or break a mood.
I gave it the once over with my ‘hardest leg workout‘, and you’ve got about 4 leg presses before you touch the racks. Verticals, 45 Degree Sleds and a Pendulum – plus dumbbells to 75kg.
I finished off with a lovingly put together protein shake at the counter. 4.4 out of 5 is cap.
Pricing: 1 Day Pass = £12.50: 1 week £24.99
Find Them: 389-393, Wilmslow Rd, Fallowfield, Manchester M20 4WA
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