Ready for your Fix? Manchester’s latest sauna and ice bath experience reviewed

Saunas are having a moment – and converts will be pleased to know that over the last couple of months, a clutch of new, social saunas have opened in Manchester. Options include The Good Sauna off Deansgate, and Contrast near Victoria – and the latest to join the gang is the Northern Quarter’s new arrival, Fix.

Located in a basement on Hilton Street, Fix is simple, elegant and contemporary in design. It’s got acres of dark tiles, low lighting, and immaculate wooden fixtures. Fix feels more like one of the area’s cool bars or a hip Japanese spa.

Home to the city’s largest stand alone sauna, the venue also has two 14-man ice baths. Combining hot and cold experiences is something that Scandinavians have been doing for time, however this style of sauna has only recently made the move here. Benefits include a clearer state of mind, rapid recovery from training, increased emotional resilience… the list goes on.

The reality, however, is more luxurious and, in terms of the ice bath, more challenging than I expected. Sessions are divided into classes (sound baths, muscle recovery sessions and yoga sessions) lead by a host, and ‘free flow’ sessions where you can move between the sauna and ice baths as you wish.

Free flow

I went for the ‘free flow’ option – and the sauna is a particular highlight. Despite being massive, the long, slim shape of the room makes it ideal for relaxing and chatting.

Outside is a large social area, surrounded by showers, taps with boiling and ice cold water, and complimentary herbal teas. I wasn’t sure about how much I’d want a herbal tea after a sauna, but it’s a match.

To put the temperature of the ice baths into context, the sea off Oban in the north west of Scotland is 10 degrees right now. Which gives you some idea of how cold the 6 degree celsius bath feels.

I dipped my toe into this one first and it was simply painful. However, my friend and I managed two five minute sessions in the slightly warmer 10 degree bath.

I was guided through the ice bath experience by yoga teacher and personal trainer, Kosara. She’s one of the venue’s hosts, on hand to offer tips on staying in the water and how to breathe. Her calm tone soothed my ragged breathing and I found myself opening up and talking about all sorts of things she probably didn’t want to know about. Perfectly normal, she reassured me.

Kosara explained that after three minutes, you’ve secured all the physiological benefits of an ice bath, however any time you stay in over that adding to your resilience and internal emotional reserves.

Driving home at the end, my friend asked me to go the long way around so we could spend a bit more time together. We usually get on well, but the experience was even more bonding than our usual coffees and meals out. Fix is perfect for catching up with special friends or making new ones –  and I can’t wait to return to this genuinely special hideaway in the heart of the NQ.  From £15 for a 45-minute session.