Sheffield’s R1SE Urban Spa: Redefining Wellness and Community

Sheffield is about to experience a wellness revolution with the launch of R1SE Urban Spa in late September 2024. Nestled in the heart of Sheffield’s Kelham Island, this innovative new venture is set to challenge the status quo of what a spa can be, blending cutting-edge technology with time-honoured wellness traditions to create an unparalleled space for transformation and community.

The inspiration behind R1SE Urban Spa stems from a deeply personal journey. A few years ago, when a close friend received troubling health news, it prompted a search for powerful, natural therapies to support the body’s innate healing abilities. This journey led to the discovery of the profound benefits of ice baths. Founder Chris Downham found that “by regularly taking a short, icy plunge and deliberately subjecting my body to stress, I learned to use my breath to find peace and calm. This approach has transformed how I handle stress—it’s no longer something to avoid, but something to feel, understand, and where possible, control. Stress still happens, but now I use it as fuel rather than letting it consume me.” Despite the effectiveness of cold immersion therapy, it wasn’t widely popular at the time. However, as interest grew, the idea of combining it with traditional Finnish saunas took shape. This combination became a cornerstone of the community at R1SE’s Brook Place studio, fostering deep connections and drawing people together.

R1SE Urban Spa is the natural evolution of this journey. It is a space designed not just for relaxation but for personal growth and transformation. The spa features two expansive performance saunas, each capable of operating as either a traditional Finnish sauna with temperatures soaring to 100°C or as a near-infrared sauna, which allows for longer sessions of up to 45 minutes. These saunas, with their chromotherapy lighting, are ideal for a range of activities, from intense heat therapy to more gentle pursuits like massage and breathwork.

What truly sets R1SE Urban Spa apart is its vibrant, energetic approach to wellness. Unlike the hushed, serene atmosphere typical of most spas, R1SE Urban Spa buzzes with life. The design is intentionally urban, creating a vibe more akin to a chic nightclub than a traditional spa. While we do offer specific times for deeply blissful sessions, this isn’t a place for silent, singular meditation—you won’t find any “quiet please” signs here. Instead, it’s about embracing the intense contrasts of cold and heat, challenging both body and mind, and stepping out of your comfort zone. The spa offers a wide array of services, including sound baths, aromatherapy, Gua Sha massage, compression therapy, infrared and red light therapy, and pulsed electromagnetic frequency crystal mats, all aimed at pushing your limits and helping you thrive. In addition, we’ll offer over 50 movement classes per week, ranging from Bliss to Sculpt, and Recover to Burn.

The concept of R1SE Urban Spa is deeply rooted in the ethos of the R1SE brand. For years, R1SE has been dedicated to helping individuals transform into the best versions of themselves. This philosophy carries through to the Urban Spa, where the focus is on harnessing the body’s natural abilities to heal, energise, and regenerate. The spa serves as a community hub where people can come together, share experiences, and support each other on their wellness journeys.

Scientific research strongly supports the health benefits of practices offered at R1SE Urban Spa, particularly the use of traditional Finnish saunas and cold immersion therapy. Extensive studies, especially from Finland, have shown that regular sauna use can lead to impressive health outcomes, including a 63% lower risk of sudden cardiac death, a 50% reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and a 40% lower risk of all-cause mortality. Furthermore, sauna use has been associated with a 65% reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These findings, frequently highlighted by Dr Rhonda Patrick, underscore how sauna use can significantly enhance long-term health, including mental well-being by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

At R1SE Urban Spa, these scientifically proven methods are central to our offerings. Whether indulging in a traditional Finnish sauna session or braving the ice baths, clients actively enhance their health in ways that are backed by decades of rigorous research.

R1SE Urban Spa aims to be an integral part of the Sheffield community, serving as a gathering place not only for wellness enthusiasts but also for local groups and organisations. The spa is designed to be a versatile space, accommodating everything from team-building challenges for businesses to alternative nights out for those looking to socialise without alcohol. Whether it’s a local running club, a sports team, or a corporate group, R1SE Urban Spa offers a unique environment where people can connect, learn, and grow while experiencing the natural highs of heat and cold therapy.

To further foster this sense of community, R1SE Urban Spa will host a variety of special events and workshops. Wellness experiences, lasting four hours each, will be offered multiple times a day, catering to different needs—whether you’re looking to relax, recover, or energise. Recovery Mondays will be a particular highlight, providing a dedicated space for athletes and weekend warriors to soothe their muscles and rejuvenate after intense activity. The spa will also feature innovative events like Breathe and Bass, where participants engage in breathwork sessions set to the beat of drum and bass music, promising a transformative experience.

Pricing at R1SE Urban Spa is crafted to be accessible while still offering a premium experience. The popular 75-minute Fire and Ice classes are available for around £15 with a membership, with standard sessions priced at £25. For those seeking a more immersive experience, the four-hour wellness packages, which include refreshments like kombucha, are available for £55. These options ensure that everyone, from occasional visitors to regular members, can find a package that fits their needs and lifestyle. Achieving your best self is about consistency, which is why the spa is designed to be a regular destination for members. By shifting just a couple of social nights a month from a bar to the spa, members could easily cover the cost of the transformation they’re seeking.

The launch of R1SE Urban Spa is the first step in a broader vision. The long-term plan is to expand this unique spa concept to cities across the UK, starting in the North. The goal is to create a wellness experience that rivals, and even surpasses, what is currently available in London, transforming and inspiring tens of thousands of people across the country.

Innovation has always been at the heart of R1SE, and this will continue with the Urban Spa. The team is constantly exploring new developments in AI and robotics, integrating these advancements into the spa to enhance the customer experience. Yet, despite this forward-thinking approach, the spa remains deeply rooted in the basics—heat, cold, and light—which have been essential to human well-being for centuries. The philosophy is simple: true comfort comes not from avoiding discomfort but from embracing it, using it as a tool for growth and transformation.

As R1SE Urban Spa prepares to open its doors, the message is clear: this is a place where you can push your limits, harness the power of your body and mind, and emerge stronger, healthier, and more vibrant. Sheffield, get ready to experience just how incredible you can feel.

To find out more and benefit from some ace pre-launch offers, visit www.r1se.co.uk.