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Fitness

Urban blog | Fitness

A gentle treatment designed to help you feel lighter, de-puffed and deeply relaxed.

Manual lymphatic drainage

A blood-flow boosting treatment to help minimise the appearance of cellulite.

Sculpting massage

The massage equivalent of noise cancelling headphones.

Relaxing massage

Advanced massage techniques designed to ease pain and support recovery – at your pace, in your space.

Injury/pain management

Alongside helping hands glide over skin, some massage oils offer plenty of health benefits you might find surprising. Try these five oils to get some extra goodness out of your treatment. 

The five best massage oils to try

Can massage really make you less stressed? In this detailed guide we look at the science behind it.

The benefits of a stress relief massage

Discover the top 10 benefits of sports massage in this detailed guide from Urban. We discuss blood flow, sleep, stress levels and much more.

The top 10 benefits of sports massage

The effects of massage therapy tend to be cumulative, but you may also feel relief from your very first appointment.

How can massage help to relieve back pain?

Sore legs? A massage could be exactly what you need

Give your sore calves a treat with a leg massage

Get a better understanding of how massage can help treat knee pain when cycling.

How to reduce knee pain when cycling with massage

Shaping, tinting and lamination for a brushed-brow look that lasts.

Brow lamination

Brow styling totally tailored to you – not a stencil in sight.

Defined brows

Brow shape and tint

Eyebrow wax

Shape and define your brows with speed and precision.

Brow threading and tweezing

TikTok health advice can be a bit of a Wild West. We asked our in-house massage expert to take us for a scroll to debunk the most common myths.

3 spine health myths, debunked

London's best deep tissue massages are plentiful and can be found near you in London's best spas, at iconic hotels and even delivered to you in the comfort of your home. Here are our five favourite places to book a deep tissue massage in London.

The best deep tissue massages in London

Focused support to help reduce swelling and aid recovery after cosmetic surgery.

Brazilian lymphatic drainage

The massage equivalent of a strong espresso.

Energising massage

Our signature all-rounder, where relaxation and relief meet.

Urban classic

19 of the best handmade gifts and experiences they’ll actually want.

The best handmade gift ideas

20 non-baby things your new mum friend will love (and actually use), suggested by another mum.

The best gifts for new mums

We’ve done the scrolling for you to bring together our favourite unique Dad gifts – from cooking to coffee, grooming to gadgets.

Christmas gifts for Dad 

We’ve pulled together a few unique Christmas gift ideas to suit every kind of mum. You’re especially in luck if she happens to be doing Dry Jan, prefers experiences over products or has a sweet tooth.

Unique Christmas gifts for Mums

Whether it’s simple skincare, tailored haircare or unique at-home beauty treatments, you can unwrap the magic of beauty and choose products they’ll love (and actually use) this festive season.

Best beauty gifts for Christmas

From affordable gym gear to chef-cooked meal prep, a fitness app that'll keep them on track and even the luxury of a sports massage at home, you’ll be able to tick their Christmas gift off your list in no time.

Christmas fitness gift ideas

Climbing is a highly-demanding sport that calls for your whole body to be used, so it’s likely to take its toll. How can a massage help? Let's find out.

Four of the best massages for climbing enthusiasts

Let's chat all things back pain. Because a whopping 80% of us will feel it at some point in our lives – here's the best massages to tackle it.

The four best massages for back pain

If you dread that time of the month, one of these massages might be able to help ease your symptoms

Can massage ease period pain?

Reflexology is more than a glorified foot rub – it can help release tensions that can have an effect on the whole of your body. Here’s how…

Five things a reflexology massage therapist can tell

A relaxing massage can be a great way to set the tone for a better night's sleep, but which is best? From classic Swedish to new-age CBD, we explore the pros and cons.

The best massage for a good night's sleep

Sciatica can be a literal pain in the butt. In this guide, our in-house massage expert Patrik recommends the best treatments to ease pressure on the sciatic nerve and in turn provide relief.

The best massage for sciatica pain relief

So you've hit the gym hard, conquered those weights, and now? Ah, the dreaded aches – also known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The badge of honour worn by many fitness enthusiasts. But should it be?

How to reduce DOMS

From Thai to deep tissue, different kinds of massages impact the body in unique ways. The right type for you will depend on your health, needs and preferences.

15 different kinds of massage

A gentle, soothing prenatal massage for tired mums-to-be. 

Pregnancy massage

A gentle, full-body massage designed to support your recovery, physically and emotionally, after birth.

Postpartum massage

A deeply soothing treatment for tired mums-to-be.

Prenatal massage

Book a home visit from a degree-qualified expert in muscle, joint and bone health.

Pregnancy osteopathy

The ultimate confidence builder – long-lasting polish on fingers and toes.

Gel mani-pedi

A long-lasting mani including cut and file, cuticle work and gel polish.

Gel manicure

Extra TLC for the hands and nails, with a classic polish finish.

Classic manicure

A long-lasting pedicure to keep you walking tall and feeling great.

Gel pedicure

Gel polish on the finger nails, classic polish (and extra pampering) on the toes.

Gel mani & classic pedi

Strong pressure, deep relief – ease aches without leaving home.

Deep tissue massage

Quick, targeted and surprisingly effective – all in just 45 minutes.

Express massage

The ultimate pampering pedicured, finished with classic polish.

Classic pedicure

Classic polish for fingers and toes, with added indulgence – a scrub, mask and massage.

Classic mani-pedi

Meditation is now mainstream and we all know the importance of mindfulness and being present. But how often do we put our meditation techniques into practise during everyday activities?

Five ways meditation can aid a mindful massage

Reformer Pilates: trend or training essential? A physio’s take

Gel, shellac, OPI Vinylux – what does it all mean?

5 benefits of a post-flight massage

Should a massage ever hurt?

Try a shoulder massage with these at-home techniques

Can a massage affect your epilepsy?

Everything you need to know about Bowen therapy

The benefits of a 90-minute massage

From photography to people: How I found creativity in helping others

What type of massage is best for treating fibromyalgia?

How massage can help with hip and knee pain

Stretches to show your lower back some TLC

How does massage boost energy?

10 yoga moves to relax, rejuvenate and reawaken

From Shakespeare to spreadsheets: My journey to financial controller

Finding calm among city chaos: Hinna’s story

Meet the pro: Martin

I was too shy to serve customers – now I’ve built a 25-year career supporting them

The science of touch: Why massage feels so comforting

If your brain’s still at the beach – read this

Here’s what sitting at a desk all day is doing to your posture

The productivity of rest: How one hour can change your whole day

Climbing the ladder differently: My path to head of marketing

Waxing 101: A pro's guide to smooth results 

I’m a qualified physio – here’s everything I would (and wouldn’t) do when training for the Euros

Meet Rozalia: Longtime Urban pro, music lover and crochet queen

I started painting miniatures after work, and my mental health has never felt better

I thought working a 9-5 would hinder my creativity – turns out, it actually helps

Life after amputation – photographer Sonny on adapting to a new normal with Urban

Uncover Edinburgh's hidden hotspots for a trip you won't forget – here's our favourites...

Hidden gems in Edinburgh: A wellness-seeker's guide

Discover how to spend a relaxing weekend in Edinburgh, from calming walks to an at-home spa experience. Here’s our team’s favourite way to relax in the capital.

How to spend a relaxing weekend in Edinburgh

Make your trip to Edinburgh even more memorable with our unique activity suggestions...

Unique things to do in Edinburgh – our 14 top picks

Weather not playing ball? Get covered (literally) with our top indoor picks...

13 indoor things you’ll actually want to do when it’s raining in Birmingham (again)

Craving the outdoors? Birmingham is home to some of the most relaxing walks in the UK – from huge parks to acres of gardens, here’s our top picks.

Where to go for a relaxing walk in Birmingham

Fancy a relaxing weekend in Birmingham? Here's what we'd do to unwind in the city...

How we’d spend a relaxing weekend in Birmingham

We’re all about feeling zen, so we’ve put together our favourite wellbeing activities in Birmingham – from Hotpod yoga and facials, to an at-home massage.

Our favourite wellbeing activities in Birmingham

A thirst-quenching facial for skin that looks dewy and lit from within.

Hydrating facial

A powerhouse of radiance for youthful looking skin.

Youth boost facial

A multi-step treatment to clear and reduce congested pores.

Deep cleanse facial

Express 25 facial

A deep cleansing facial targeting clogged pores, inflammation and razor burn.

Men's facial

A tailored facial using pregnancy-safe products.

Pregnancy glow facial

Ease aches, whether you run marathons or for the bus.

Sports massage

An ancient healing practice blending movement, pressure and breath – performed on a traditional Thai floor mattress.

Thai yoga massage

Discover your deepest stretch ever as an expert does the hard work for you.

Assisted stretching

Craving a pretty walk or bored of the same route? If you're in Edinburgh, you're pretty lucky...

The best places to walk in Edinburgh

Uncover 11 of the best hidden gems in Glasgow, from secret gardens to historic treasures.

The best hidden gems in Glasgow – our 11 favourites

Relax in the city with our top picks – from an at-home massage to scenic walks.

The best things to do in Glasgow to relax

My name's Dr Ella Woods, I consider myself an expert in perimenopause for two reasons: I’m a clinical psychologist who specialises in the topic; and I’m going through it myself. I’m working with Urban to answer some of the most common questions I get, and how you can best manage your symptoms.

Perimenopause: Everything you need to know and how massage can help

Skincare advice flooding your feed? Us too. To get to the bottom of it all, we’ve called for help from facialist expert Latticia Morapedi. 

Three skincare myths, debunked

Over the course of nine months, a pregnant person's body adapts in incredible ways to support growing life. Here are some of the less talked about transformations and how specialist pregnancy treatments can help.

Six surprising ways your body changes during pregnancy

From pregnancy self-care and postnatal recovery, to the first few years for new mums, we look at six simple ways to look after yourself while navigating the ups and downs of motherhood.

Maternal mental health tips

Say hello to your healthiest, glowiest skin ever with our bespoke facial, customised just for you.

Bespoke facial

Combines our tension-relieving Urban classic massage with a rejuvenating bespoke facial that will leave you glowing from head to toe.

30-minute bespoke facial with full-body massage

Combines our stress-relieving Urban classic massage with a revitalising bespoke facial to get you glowing from head to toe.

60-minute bespoke facial with full-body massage

Urban pro Mihaela talks reformer pilates, when she recommends it to clients and whether it's really worth the hype.

To making choosing your nail service easier, here's our guide to the differences between each service and the results you can expect from them.

If you’re not sure that lying down for an hour on a massage table will make you feel better after seven of sitting, we're here to convince you.

Massage should never feel painful, but sports therapist Laura tells us there's a difference between good pain and bad pain – here's what she had to say...

If you’re suffering from a stiff neck, poor posture or frequent headaches, you might want to consider a shoulder massage – here's how you can do it yourself at home.

From self-care tips to their take on the most beneficial massages, here’s how Urban pros plan to keep themselves shining in the darkness this winter.

Burn bright, not out – Urban pros on how to avoid burnout

Let's de-bunk the benefits of lymphatic drainage to see if it's right for you.

What is a lymphatic drainage massage or detox massage?

Massage has been a central part of Chinese medicine for thousands of years, with records stretching back as far as the 2nd century BCE. Unlike deep tissue or sports massage, which focus on releasing tight muscular knots by targeting blood flow to the area, Chinese massage techniques also aim to promote overall health by easing the flow of energy, or “qi”, around the body.

What is Chinese massage?

Discover what a Thai massage is in this detailed guide where we discuss everything from the history of this ancient practice, to the various benefits of this type of massage.

What is a Thai massage?

Foot massage combines techniques from different traditions to help relax and improve health by pressing on foot nerves. It can make you feel better, boost blood flow, and lower stress

What is foot massage?

Discover how menstrual health coach Destiny uses Urban massages and creative self-care to live intentionally, blending wellness and joy into her everyday.

When monthly massage is a non-negotiable: the menstrual coach doing city life her way

In honour of Random Acts of Kindness Day, we’re putting the spotlight on just one of the many inspiring client stories we’re privileged to play a part of each day. Meet Penny, and hear why Rozalia decided to make her day in December…

Customer story: Penny & Rozalia

We sat down with ceramist Charlotte and her Urban pro Fabio in Charlotte's East London studio to talk about life with EDS, advocating for disability acceptance and how Urban truly made a difference.

How weekly osteopathy gave me my life back – in the studio with disabled artist Charlotte

Discover how Clxmbr founder Rotimi uses massage to get himself back up on the wall.

Urban blog | Fitness

Reformer Pilates: trend or training essential? A physio’s take

Stretches to show your lower back some TLC

10 yoga moves to relax, rejuvenate and reawaken

I’m a qualified physio – here’s everything I would (and wouldn’t) do when training for the Euros

Feel-good health and fitness upgrades to power your 2025 routine

From training to the table: Why sports massage has become a non-negotiable in my routine

Where to go for a relaxing walk in Manchester

The best places to walk in Edinburgh

Finding sanctuary in cycling – charity founder Ben’s journey through grief