Ways to stay active

UoM Sport is committed to the health and wellbeing of all students and staff. So, in light of the seasons changing, we will do everything we can to inspire you over this period and help keep you active!

Active Manchester Gym and Classes
With an Active Manchester membership, you can enjoy unlimited access to our fully equipped gym and a wide range of group exercise classes at both the Armitage Sports Centre in Fallowfield and the Wellbeing Studios on Oxford Road.

Wellbeing Studios Class Timetable – Simon Building
Our class timetable for the Wellbeing Studios in the Simon Building will run until 19 December 2025, then restart in the New Year on 5 January 2026.

Armitage Centre Class Timetable – Armitage Centre Fallowfield
Our class timetable for the Armitage Centre in Fallowfield will run until 23 December 2025, with a reduced timetable on Monday, 22 and 23 December—classes from 11am – 6.45pm. Classes will then restart in the New Year on 3 January 2026.

Get a head start and sign up for Active Manchester classes! Check out the timetable here and book online on the UoM Sport website.

RECHARGE 2026
Recharge your energy in 2026 with free access to the Armitage Centre Gym, fitness classes, and Sporticipate sessions from 5–31 January 2026. Whether you’re a student gearing up for exams or staff looking to kickstart the year, stay active, energised, and ready for anything with a range of free activities on and off campus.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
Free at the Armitage Centre and Wellbeing Studios
Enjoy full access to the gym and instructor-led fitness classes, both in person and on Zoom, completely free for staff and students throughout January. Perfect for re-energising between study sessions and exams.

Sporticipate – Free Activities and Sessions
Take part in a wide variety of Sporticipate sessions and just pay £1 registration fee; there’s something for everyone to help you stay active.

Sign up from 5 January 2026 and start booking Sporticipate sessions from 31 December 2025.

Don’t miss your chance to Recharge for free!

Running and walking groups
There are still a number of ways that you can stay healthy and active. If you would like to get out for a walk or run and plan your exercise for 2024, then take a look at the resources below:

• The University group MCRstrollers
• Find out more about Ramblers
• Tap into the GM Walking Festival routes.
• Find out where you can run with RunTogether

Our facilities’ festive opening hours
You can still visit our sports facilities during the festive break. Find out more about our festive opening hours:

Armitage Sports Centre

• 15 December – 8.30am –  5pm
• 16 December – 8.30am –  10.30pm
• 19 December – 7am – 10.30pm
• 20 December – 23 December –  8.30am – 7.30pm
• 24 December 2025 – 2 January 2026 (closed)
• 3 January – 8.30am – 7.30pm
• 4 January – 8.30am – 7.30pm

UoM Sport Office, Students’ Union

• 15 December – 10am – 12noon
• 22 & 23 December 2025, (staff online only, office closed)
• 24 December 2025 – 4 January 2026 (closed)
• 5 January 2026 – 10am – 4pm – Office reopens

For any further queries for UoM Sport, please contact sport@manchester.ac.uk.

Manchester Aquatics Centre

• 22 December 2023 – 5.30pm – 7pm (reduced hours GLL Communications Day)
• 23 December 2023 – 5.30am –  7pm
• 24 December 2023 – 9am –  2pm
• 25 December – 26 December 2023 (Bank Holiday) – Closed
• 27 December – 28 December 2023 – 10 am –  4 pm
• 29 December 2023 – 8am –  6pm
• 30 December 2023 – 8am –  6pm
• 31 December 2023 – 9am –  2pm
• 1 January 2024 (Bank Holiday) – Closed 
• 2 January 2024 – 5.30pm – 10pm – Reopens

For any further queries, please contact manchesteraquaticscentre@gll.org

Sugden Sports Centre

• 22 December 2025 – (GLL communications day) – Closed
• 13 December 2025 –  6.15am – 10.30pm
• 24-26 December 2025 – Closed
• 27-30 December 2025 – 9am – 5pm
• 31 December 2025 – 1 January 2026 – Closed
• 2 January 2026 – 6.15am – 10.30pm – Reopens
• 3 January 2026 – 9am – 7.30pm
• 4 January 2026 – 9am – 7.30pm

For any further queries, please contact sugden@gll.org

BUCS Universal Gym
Students can access the Universal Gym network through BUCS Universal Gym. This allows students with a university gym membership to access facilities across the UK throughout the year.

To find out more, visit the BUCS Universal Gym site.

Purplewave events for 2026
Experience the exclusive 10-year Purplewave celebration in 2026 with our remarkable events calendar, open to staff, students, and the broader UoM community. Among the most exciting is the Purplewave 10k, a highlight you won’t want to miss. Upcoming events include:

• Purplewave joins Park Run, Platt Fields Park—wear your purple Santa hat!
• 4 March 2026 – 2.5/5km Run, Platt Fields Park
• 31 May 2026 – Great Run 10k, Manchester City Centre

Start now and set yourself a challenge with our events find out more here.

Support during the festive season
Sometimes we all need a little extra support, and that includes at the festive break. Remember to reach out if you need to, whether that’s to a friend, partner, counsellor, or university service.

• Students can find out more here.
• Staff can find out more here.