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Fitness

Urban blog | Fitness

There’s nothing better than playing football on a proper pitch, so if you’re planning a kickabout in London be sure to make use of one of the city’s many parks. Most of these green spaces have their own pitches inside them, so you can practise your skills in a professional size playing field.

Best London parks to play football in

Can getting a massage before or after the marathon really make a difference to your marathon performance? Our go-to massage expert has the answers.

Why massage should be part of your London marathon training plan

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

Whether your skin’s looking a tad dull and needs a bit of rejuvenation, or you have a skin concern that’s been bothering you for years, a targeted facial can help. London is home to lots of professionals who are passionate about skincare and skin health. Here's our top picks.

The best facials in London

While we're known for massages, did you know we also partner with some of London's best beauty pros? We got to know 10 of our top rated pros over brunch.

Meet the Urban beauty pros

From face yoga to gua sha tools, you’ve probably seen the benefits of facial massage touted all over Tiktok and Instagram. But what’s it actually all about?


To dive deeper, we spoke to Urban facial pro Alice Croeser. She told us all about different facial massage techniques and their benefits and strangest facial massage trends she’s heard of.

How to give yourself a face massage

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

What makes retinol so special? From reducing fine lines and improving skin texture to fading acne scars and hyperpigmentation, let's get the lowdown on why it's such a popular ingredient.

How often should you use retinol? Here’s everything you need to know

Ease post-exercise aches and prevent injury with a qualified pro.

Sports massage

The massage equivalent of a cup of coffee.

Energising massage

Advanced massage techniques and exercises to get you back to your best.

Injury/pain management

Our take on Swedish massage, full of techniques to free up tension and help you relax.

Urban classic

A clothed Thai massage (without oil) performed on a traditional roll-up floor mattress.

Thai yoga massage

A powerful full-body massage to ease tension, aches and stiffness.

Deep tissue massage

A gentle, nurturing massage for when you need a little self-care.

Relaxing massage

A calming treatment using acupressure on the feet and lower legs.

Reflexology foot massage

A deeply soothing treatment for tired mums-to-be, suitable from the second trimester.

Pregnancy massage

A dreamy full-body massage using essential oils that promote sleep.

Sleep massage

A grounding, full-body treatment using relaxing essential oils.

De-stress massage

A gentle massagae to rebalance vital systems of the body.

Manual lymphatic drainage

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.

How massage helps this climber reach new heights

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

Find out how this swimmer is using massage to boost performance and aid recovery.

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

The top 10 benefits of sports massage

Four of the best massages for climbing enthusiasts

Ollie Jones chats about life behind the handlebars

How to reduce knee pain when cycling with massage

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

The best hidden gems in Glasgow – our 11 favourites

Tired of the same old itinerary? This guide's for you. Explore the most unique things to do in Glasgow, from at-home treatments to vintage arcades, discover the city’s most quirky and unusual experiences.

10 unique things to do in Glasgow

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

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

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

Looking to book mobile services at home safely? Whether it’s elderly care, cleaning, wellness, or trades, this guide offers essential tips to help you choose reputable providers, avoid scams, and protect your personal security. 

Safe at home: A guide to booking mobile services safely

We sat down with Yousra, a commercial director and mum living in Clapham, to talk about how she carves out time for herself in the midst of work and motherhood.

How this new Mum finds balance with Urban

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

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)

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

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

Discover how often you should get a massage in this guide where we discuss a range of massage treatments, including deep tissue and sports massage.

How often should you get a massage? The ultimate guide

Often confused, but really very different. Let's compare lymphatic drainage and anti-cellulite massages

Lymphatic drainage and anti-cellulite massage – what’s the difference? 

A guide for the worriers among us, set to put your mind to rest about potentially-awkward massage moments. 

The overthinker’s guide to a home massage

From struggling with personal loss to finally finding peace, Ben’s on a mission to bring the same comfort to others in pain. For World Mental Health Day, we caught up with him to chat about the creation of his charity, The New Normal, and discovered how cycling became his saviour during his darkest time.

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

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

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 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.

Can massage benefit your mental health? Yep, in many ways. From better sleep to an overall sense of wellbeing, let’s explore how massage can help your mind unwind.

Mental benefits of massage: how it can boost your wellbeing

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.

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

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

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?

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

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

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

Gel pedicure

We caught up with adventure cyclist and cycling club HospoFixed Founder Ollie Jones about his 10-year love for cycling, go-to recovery methods and top training tips.

No matter what TikTok tells you, steaming, cold-water bathing and pore-stripping isn’t the answer for opening or closing your pores. In fact, nothing is.  Let's find out more.

Do pores open and close? Let’s put this beauty myth to bed

We caught up with some of the guys from the Urban team to find out about their beauty regimes, what types of products they like to use and if there’s any Urban treatments they love or really want to try, but haven’t yet…

Skincare the Urban team is loving

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

Find something new to do in Manchester with our pick of the best hidden gems. From Britain’s oldest library to at-home massage, discover your next favourite secret.

Our favourite hidden gems in Manchester

Take a breather with us and enjoy a relaxing weekend in Manchester – from creative classes to canal strolls, we've got 11 activities to choose from. End the day with an Urban home massage, of course.

Our guide to a relaxing weekend in Manchester

Discover unique things to do in Manchester, from secret bars to canal cruises and pottery classes, finished with a relaxing at-home massage to unwind.

Unique things to do in Manchester for a trip with a twist

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

How a TMJ massage can help you smile again

The essential apps for city life

From Amna to Shiatsu: What is Japanese massage?

Maternal mental health tips

Six surprising ways your body changes during pregnancy

The best gifts for new mums

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

Massage for grief – finding comfort in difficult times

What is a Thai massage?

Crick in the neck? Better call Paul

Different types of lymphatic drainage massage – manual vs Brazilian vs sculpting

Tennis elbow and massage: the ultimate guide

Physiotherapy and osteopathy – what’s the difference?

Can you get a massage when you're sick?

14 unique Valentine's Day Gifts

What is foot massage?

Lunar New Year gift ideas

Five great stretches to do at your desk

 Make better mental health a priority with online counselling

Up your swimming game outside the pool

The best massage for sciatica pain relief

A runner's guide to massage

The best gifts for busy people

Best beauty gifts for Christmas

Christmas gifts for Dad 

Christmas fitness gift ideas

Unique Christmas gifts for Mums

I tried assisted stretching - here's what I thought

The Urban fitness handbook

Massage for PMS

How stress affects your gut health

What is Chinese massage?

Give yourself a hand massage

What is a lymphatic drainage massage or detox massage?

Five things a reflexology massage therapist can tell

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

Sculpting massage

Get your step count up with our pick of Manchester’s most relaxing walks – from pretty parks to 4-hour hikes, there’s something for every level of walker.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Assisted stretching

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…

A traditional Thai massage using oil to help de-stress, stretch muscles and energise.

Thai massage (with oil)

A full-body treatment tailored to your recovery needs.

Postnatal massage

The perfect pick-me-up – enjoy a 45-minute massage focusing on two areas of your choice.

Express massage

Grief can feel all-consuming - physically and emotionally. Learn how a simple massage can provide a moment of solace during difficult times.

Get a better understanding of tennis elbow, how to treat it and why it’s so important to get treatment as early as possible.

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

Gel mani-pedi

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.