Fix

Hidden beneath Hilton Street in the Northern Quarter, Fix feels less like a wellness studio and more like a quietly luxurious retreat. With its low lighting, smooth tiles and cedar-wood warmth, it’s a place designed for slowing down – or, depending on your chosen session, pushing yourself to new limits. The first of its kind in Manchester, Fix brings guided sauna and ice bath experiences to the city, fusing ancient practices with a modern, community-focused sensibility.

Founded by James Fielding after discovering the restorative effects of contrast therapy abroad, Fix is built around a simple but powerful idea: balance. Heat and cold. Effort and ease. Stillness and connection. At its heart sits the UK’s largest standalone sauna – handcrafted from western red cedar, with Himalayan salt brick walls glowing amber under the light – and two deep ice baths, chilled between 4°C and 10°C. Together they form the core of Fix’s sessions, which alternate between guided rituals and open “free flow” time for personal exploration.

Guided experiences are where Fix truly stands apart. Hosts trained in breathwork, sound healing, meditation and movement lead small groups through sessions designed to calm the nervous system, boost focus and reconnect mind and body. Expect the unexpected: essential oils waved through the heat, rhythmic towel rituals, the grounding pulse of sound baths, and moments of deep, restorative silence. Free flow sessions, meanwhile, are stripped back – just the heat, the cold, and your own rhythm – ideal for those chasing post-training recovery or mental clarity.

Beyond the physical benefits – reduced inflammation, boosted mood, better sleep – there’s a social warmth to Fix. A shared herbal tea after the sauna, a chat between plunges, the quiet camaraderie of people learning to breathe through the cold together. The space has changing rooms, lockers, and a communal area that feels more like a lounge than a fitness facility.