This gym was truly built to minimise any anxiety you've ever had walking into the gym.
There's a new gym in town.
Except this is nothing like the sweaty, overly boisterous chain gyms popping up all over the city.
The Leeds' People's Gym is run for the people of Leeds, by the people of Leeds.
And there really isn't anything else like it.
Besides the 'Community Wall' set to be packed with resources for those wanting to support their local indies or residents, everything in the four-floor building has been designed to deconstruct any 'typically toxic' messages or experiences people may have had in other gym environments, to welcome everyone to a judgement-free workout space.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
From the moment you walk in you're met by owners Chris and Daniel at Reception who can take you through the gym space and organise any membership details (which are truly some of the most flexible you'll find in the city).
And if you're wondering what to expect from the workout spaces themselves - let's just say they're nothing like your average gym, in the best possible way.
Those very typical 'how to use this' stickers on each machine have been removed and replaces with an alternative from The Leeds' People's Gym, the QR code demonstrates how to use the machines, and has been altered to reinforce the idea that there's no single 'gym person', and you don't need to aspire to be the very stereotypical man featured on gym machine labels to be working out.
Over on the free weights, you'll find warped mirrors that up close allow you to check your form and act as a normal reflective material, but if you take a step back, you'll find that the view is distorted. Removing the mirrors allows members to move freely without catching themselves in the mirror unless they want to.
Plus, there's a semi-private space for personal trainer work with a small cardio and weight setup that's ideal for those that are nervous about going into a gym or as a beginner looking to test out equipment for the first time with a trainer professional on hand.
The free weight sets go up to 30kg as a way of showing that you don't need to be sat next to someone lifting a 50kg dumbbell to feel like you're a gym-goer too - it's all about embracing everybody into the gym space here.
Now if you're a regular gym-goer, you'll be used to the queues and awkward waiting around time whilst someone cracks out their sets, but instead of having to interrupt and do the dance of 'how many sets have you got left', you can simply add your personalised keychain to the hook on the side of the machine to let the rest of the gym know you're next in line.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They've really thought of everything here.
As a proper independent gym, Daniel and Chris stress that whilst they might not have every single piece of equipment at the moment, the best way they can do that is by seeing more members come through the door.
There's a wish list of items that they plan to add in further down the line, and as word gets out about the exciting new opening, it means that they can consider feedback and act accordingly. This can also include changes to classes and other aspects of the gym - it truly is a place that's run and set by its members.
Upstairs on the first floor you'll find space for classes to "meet the diverse needs and interests of the community, including strength training, yoga, HIIT," as well as a private sports massage space too, plus gender neutral changing rooms with lockers and separate cubicles.
Take the extra flight of stairs to the top floor to find an additional community and co-working space, where you can rent a desk or the full floor for meet ups or film screenings alike. This space is ever-evolving as The Leeds' People's Gym grows, and the owners are open to suggestions from members to use the space for different purposes.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Chris Woods and Daniel Browne have said: "we've been there, we've gotten to the front doors and gone straight back home, we've been bullied off equipment. No more. Gyms can be different, we're different.
"Join a gym where you can access fitness without the judgement, without the intimidation, without the ego."
And this really does feel like the alternative gym everyone needs to try out in the city.
Owners Chris Woods and Daniel Browne. / Images: The Hoot Leeds
Keep an eye on The Leeds' People's Gym socials for meetups and more information, or head down to Bowman House at 49 Mabgate (just around the corner from Leeds Playhouse) to meet Chris, Daniel and the gym 'Chief Wellbeing Officer', Ivan the dog.
Feature Image - The Hoot Leeds
Leeds
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is opening Health and Social Care North in Leeds
Newly-appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham has shared plans for a brand-new Health and Social Care 'North' in Leeds as one of his first big plans as leader.
Set to be based right here in the city centre, the new Yorkshire base for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will serve as a Northern hub for the crucial cog in the public sector.
This comes not long after Andy Burnham announced and opened 'No. 10 North' at his previous base over in Greater Manchester, which took barely a week to get up and running.
Headed up by current Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, the initiative will be building on the vision outlined not only by Burnham but on the groundwork laid by her predecessor and now Defence Minister, Wes Streeting.
The new Defence Minister, Wes Streeting, says that social care has been ignored for too long and needs a clear long-term plan.
Mr Streeting, who was Health and Social Care Secretary until earlier this year, reflected on new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham's, first few days in… pic.twitter.com/Udnd1EwcsE
As per a report by LBC, an insider close to Cooper - the Labour MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley - told the outlet that this big step for the North "will help bring decision-making closer to the communities we serve and strengthen our ability to improve health outcomes across the country."
"She has asked the Department to draw up plans that would complement the plans for Number 10 North on the other side of the Pennines", they continued, "allowing Ministers to work from Quarry House [in LS2] in the North, and strengthening DHSC operations in other parts of the country."
With confirmation now coming that the old 'Quarry on the Hill' has been chosen as the satellite station for the soon-to-be-overhauled Department, the selection makes sense given its current government operations.
As well as being a major headquarters for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), it also has offices reporting to DHSC, NHS staff and other parts of the civil service.
In addition, it's also worth noting that the PM has just announced another big change to the education sector, too, essentially trying to redress the balance between "academic and technical" training.
Great news for everyone looking to seek out solid and hopefully more stable careers across the nation.
Building on Leeds' existing offices, the idea is that this will ensure more considered development across more regions and specific communities, West Yorkshire being just one of them.
Many localities still understandably feel like they fall foul of being somewhat overlooked, especially up in this part of the country.
But, as alluded to above, the hope is that this continued sense of devolution and efforts to work more directly with local governments should help bridge the gap between Whitehall, Westminster and the rest.
As the PM said in his first speech at his new Northern premises, he said a big part of his ethos is about "putting power in every postcode" and making a change from things just feeling "like an argument with people in the centre of government and people having a to and from all of the time."
While official opening dates etc for Health and Social Care North are still yet to be revealed, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester has insisted that he will be working from No.10 North at least once a week. What do you make of it all, Leeds?
DMA’S announce VERY intimate Leeds gig ahead of major tour
Daisy Jackson
DMA'S have just announced details of some of their most intimate gigs yet, with the Aussie trio set to perform at record stores and tiny music venues around the UK.
The indie-rock heavyweights have just announced a handful of very intimate shows this summer, ahead of their much larger tour in 2027.
DMA'S will be treating fans to up-close acoustic gigs in cities including Leeds, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Dundee and Bristol.
The shows are to celebrate the release of their self-titled fifth album, which is due for release on 21 August.
DMA'S will be playing the outstore gigs the week after the album is released, kicking things off in Kingston on 24 August.
Then they'll head out to some of the nation's finest record stores and intimate event spaces, including a stop at The Wardrobe in Leeds.
DMA'S' Leeds gig will take place at The Wardrobe in partnership with Crash Records, giving fans the chance to catch the trio in one of the city's best-loved intimate live music venues.
The announcement follows the release of the band’s latest single, Killing Time, a fast-paced, euphoric and instantly infectious anthem that continues to build anticipation for the album.
This is a rare chance to see DMA'S – Johnny Took, Matt Mason and Tommy O’Dell – in an intimate setting, when they normally dominate some of the biggest stages in the world.
DMA’S have accrued more than 500 million streams across their catalogue, four multi-platinum singles, multiple ARIA Award nominations, and 13 songs in triple j’s coveted Hottest 100.
These intimate outstores mean fans won't have to wait all the way until 2027 to see the boys live again, when they'll be heading out on a much bigger UK tour.
Sophie Smith -
15th November 2023 
