Well-being fads can be fleeting, but I try to keep an open mind. I’ve Wim Hof-ed, sound bathed, sobbed my way through somatics (don’t ask), experimented with mushrooms (legal ones, of course!) and more, so when I was invited to visit KOYO, a brand-new futuristic health centre claims to be revolutionising the wellness industry, well I leapt at the chance.
Combining the word ‘koi’, as in the carp, a Japanese symbol of perseverance, and ‘cryo’ meaning cold, a nod to cryotherapy (one of the studio’s key offerings), KOYO was founded by Putney resident David Finch, 37, as a high-tech sociable space designed for rest and recovery. It’s one of a growing number of high-street studios that specialise in advanced preventative and regenerative treatments, which, up until recently, were almost exclusively reserved for high-performance athletes.
Koyo memberships start at £150 per month, single sessions starting from £20; koyo-wellness.com.
G Sanders
Stepping off Richmond’s bustling Quadrant, KOYO's ultramodern interiors feel instantly calm and serene. My guides, the friendly and efficient Katie and Rachael, greet me.
First up, a one-to-one assisted stretching session. Stretch therapist Katie leads me through a deliciously agonising 25 minutes in which I’m expertly pulled, twisted and stretched. This can help to improve posture and flexibility and decrease stress levels and risk of injury. I feel two feet taller, and much of my usual stiffness melts away.
G Sanders
Next comes a cryotherapy session, one of 2024’s hottest (or should I say coldest) trends. This cool craze involves exposing the body to sub-zero temperatures to stimulate revitalising effects such as reduced inflammation, improved sleep, enhanced mood and even skin rejuvenation.
Swimwear on, I don the gloves, slippers, face mask and headband provided to protect my extremities from the impending minus 87 degrees. I’m briefed and asked to choose a song (Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G. in case you’re wondering) before stepping into what is essentially a walk-in fridge with a glass door and snazzy blue lighting.
The recommended duration is three minutes, and the aim is to drop 10-15 degrees in body temperature for maximum effect.
Sound system pumping, I enjoy the invigorating feeling of the icy air. Katie checks in regularly through the glass, using her hands to let me know how much time has elapsed. The last minute feels teeth-chatteringly cold and the final 10 seconds almost unbearable, but it’s quickly followed by a glorious rush of relief as the door swings open. Endorphins pumping, my body temperature has dropped from 32.3 degrees to 15.9. It’s intensely revitalising.
Next, I venture downstairs into one of the contrast therapy suites. Sidestepping the handmade ice bath, I head for the infrared sauna. While traditional saunas heat the air around you, the infrared version uses radiant heat to directly penetrate body tissue, delivering a less intense detoxifying sweat. It’s deeply relaxing, especially after the ‘big freeze’.
Showered and refreshed, I hop back onto one of the beds upstairs where both of my legs are zipped into a pair of compression boots which use pneumatic pressure to stimulate blood flow and enhance circulation. With a cup of herbal tea in hand, I chat with Katie and Rachael and marvel at just how soothing the gently undulating pressure is. Soon, I feel as light as a feather and raring to go.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I skip out of KOYO feeling simultaneously relaxed and invigorated, both physically and mentally. Wellness trends may come and go, but if you ask me, this premium, proactive approach to rest and recovery is here to stay.
More R&R spots
- Revive Wellness in Weybridge offers a wide range of recovery treatments, including cryotherapy, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and The Body Ballancer® – a lymphatic drainage massage system; revivewellnesscentre.co.uk
- Grey Wolfe is a beautifully designed wellness space in Barnes, offering high tech treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Rebalance Impulse, BioCharger, infrared sauna and more; greywolfe.co.uk
- In Wimbledon, The F.I.T Partnership offers cryotherapy, compression therapy, red light therapy, infrared sauna and more. It’s due to open a second site in Esher in autumn 2024; thefitpartnership.co.uk.
- The Runnymede on Thames Hotel has an infrared sauna in Egham, Surrey; runnymedehotel.com.
