Dan Whitcombe
Head of Strength · Co-founder
Competed at the British Powerlifting nationals 2017–2022. Best lifts: 252.5 / 175 / 290. Coaches the strength bias blocks.
Strength and conditioning in Ancoats.
12
Platforms
45
Minutes
Zero
Programmed group sessions built around the squat, bench, deadlift, and press. Coaches on the floor for every rep. No machines. No mirrors. No fluff.
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Press
Conditioning
Squat
Bench
Deadlift
Press
Conditioning
The Work.
We program in 8-week blocks. You show up, load the bar, and execute. Every session is capped at 12 lifters so you get actual coaching, not just a cheerleader with a stopwatch.
01
Strength Focus
The first half of every session is dedicated to one of the big four lifts. We track your numbers, manage your volume, and ensure your technique holds up under load.
02
Conditioning Finishers
The back half is engine work. Sleds, kettlebells, and bodyweight movements designed to build work capacity without interfering with your strength gains.
03
Coached Reps
This isn't a class where you hide in the back. Our coaches are on the floor adjusting your setup, fixing your bar path, and telling you when to add weight.
04
No Distractions
12 platforms. Calibrated plates. No machines to wait for. No mirrors to stare into. Just the equipment you need to get stronger.
Built by Lifters.
Iron45 was founded by Dan Whitcombe (ex-British Powerlifting) and Aoife Kelleher (S&C coach, ex-Munster Rugby).
We built the gym we wanted to train in. A place where serious recreational lifters, ex-team-sport adults, and beginners who want to learn can train under the same roof, with the same standard of coaching.
Dan
Head of Strength
Aoife
Head of Conditioning
Aoife Kelleher
Head of Conditioning · Co-founder
UKSCA-accredited S&C coach. Ten years with the Munster Rugby academy. Programs the conditioning finishers across every block.
Jess Mahmood
Intro Block Lead
Level 3 PT, Starting Strength coach since 2019. Runs the 09:00 intro block every weekday — patient, technical, infinite cues for new lifters.
Commit to the Block.
Simple pricing. No hidden fees. Sessions run on the hour, every 90 minutes from 06:00 to 21:00.
3x Weekly
£89/mo
- 3 coached sessions per week
- Access to 8-week programming
- Open gym access on Saturdays
Most Popular
Unlimited
£119/mo
- Unlimited coached sessions
- Priority session booking
- Open gym access on Saturdays
Intro Block
£160/8 wks
- Dedicated beginner sessions
- Focus on barbell mechanics
- Graduates to standard classes
Word from the floor
Member Stories.
From "I've never touched a bar" to numbers on the board.
+58kg
Deadlift in 12 months
"Came in thinking I'd 'try lifting'. Pulled a 100kg deadlift in week 8 of the intro block and almost cried. Now I'm chasing 200."
3x
Bench from BW · in 18 months
"Played rugby until 28, then nothing for ten years. Iron45 gave me the structure I needed. Coaches don't let your form go to sh*t when fatigue kicks in."
1st
Powerlifting meet · BPU North
"Dan competed in my weight class so he knew exactly what programming I needed for my first meet. Top of the podium in the U66s, novice raw."
Leave it on the turf.
Strength is the foundation, but conditioning is how you survive. Every session ends with mandatory engine work.
Questions.
I've never lifted before. Is this for me?
Yes. That's exactly what the Intro Block is for. We spend 8 weeks teaching you how
to squat, bench, deadlift, and press safely before you join the main classes. You'll
learn the mechanics with an empty bar before we add weight.
Do you have open gym hours?
Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00 are open gym. Monday through Friday, we only run
coached sessions. We believe you get better results when a coach is managing your
programming and watching your reps.
What if I can't make the same time every day?
Not a problem. The programming is consistent across the day. If you do the 06:00
session on Monday and the 18:00 session on Wednesday, you're still following the
same 8-week block. Just book your slot in the app.
Do you have showers and changing rooms?
Yes. We have individual shower rooms and changing facilities so you can train before
work.
Step on the platform.
Ready to start? Drop us a message to book your intro block or arrange a time to see the gym.
Location
Unit 4, Pollard Yard
Ancoats, Manchester M4 7BA
Ancoats, Manchester M4 7BA
Contact
Hours
Mon–Fri: 06:00 – 21:00
Sat: 08:00 – 14:00
Sun: Rest
Sat: 08:00 – 14:00
Sun: Rest
