Spa treatments for men

What men like

The EASY approach

What men don't like

The most popular men's treatments

Any questions?

What men like

Although the number of spas and treatment rooms now catering also (or exclusively) for men is growing all the time, men are often after something different to women when they check in. Most of us don't especially feel drawn to the idea of "pampering". Indeed, the word itself has off-putting connotations of tantrum-prone movie starlets. That said, although we might like to come on like the great "I Am" at the gym or on the football field, put us in a scented, darkened room and we're likely to dissolve to vapour amid the aromatherapy oils.


What guys like is classy but understated treatments that will do some positive good. Judging by the names of the treatments on offer, spas seem to assume that we're mostly high-powered business executives, and of course we're all fanatically keen on golf. But that's fine. If your weekend exertion is more having a kickabout, or dancing yourself to a standstill, you may be just as likely to have sprained something, and how are they to know you haven't done your neck in through too much sleeping in Business Class airline seats?



The EASY approach

In general, men want the spa experience to be E.A.S.Y.


That stands for:


* Effective: Quantifiably, physically effective. We want to appreciate that our skin feels and looks better, or our muscles feel relieved.


* Active: Fun and different. A huge percentage of regular sports spectators and amateur players are men, so it's not surprising that some kind of activity as a way of relaxing appeals more than sitting still.


* Sensuous: Luxurious even. Spa treatments are not exactly cheap, so they should have an aura of class and refinement, as well as making you feel good about yourself.


* Youthful: The ambience of old-fashioned barbers is all well and good, but we're not quite ready to come on like our granddads yet. A treatment has to feel like it's enhancing the youthful vigour that we're still naturally full of.



What men don't like

What don't we like? Men tend not to go for being cocooned in mud wraps, or anything that smells too strongly of alternative therapies or New Age spirituality. We don't want candles in our ears, thanks, unless it's somehow obliquely in the interests of sexual gratification.



The most popular men's treatments

The most popular men's spa treatments are:


Facials. A facial is a good first treatment for men who are nervous about the whole spa experience. A facial doesn't have to involve getting your kit off, is relaxing, varied, and most men are surprised at how effective the treatment can be. There is one obvious reason for this. Because men tend to use fewer products such as moisturiser on a daily basis, the effects of a thoroughgoing facial treatment can be correspondingly dramatic.


Deep tissue massages or Sports massages: Massages are always going to be popular as they have an obvious, recognisable physical purpose. We all, at one time or another, feel the odd nagging muscular twinge or more serious pull, while severe stress-pains and tension may keep you awake at night. Good massage can get right to the root of these problems, and leave you physically and mentally chilled-out afterwards, as well as feeling back in control of your body.


Paradoxically, the "rougher" the treatment, the more relaxed you'll feel afterwards, but sometimes the opposite approach is worth considering. Many places make a virtue of getting you into a more receptive state with soft music and low lighting so, for once, try it their way. A footbath or brief aromatherapy treatment helps to make a massage all the more relaxing.


Saunas and steam rooms. What could be more luxurious than rooms full of swirling steam and jungle heat? This type of treatment is popular with men for various reasons. Heat rooms have a long tradition in many cultures, from Turkish baths to Native American steam lodges, and heat feels like the best kind of self-indulgence. If you're new to heat treatment, you'll find the unusual sensations it offers hugely appealing.


Like massage, heat is associated with the relief of muscular stress from sport, exercise or just bad posture. A good steam or sauna will help warm your muscles before a deep massage, and so make the pressure more effective. And don't be scared of mud treatments. You can slap the mud on yourself while sitting in a private steam room or hammam. Take it from us: hot mud is a fantastic, sensual, muscle-warming, mind-relieving treat. And you can do it with your partner, too. How hot is that?


Thalassotherapy and Hydrotherapy: These water-based treatments are both active and relaxing. Blasting your body with high-pressure underwater aqua-jets opens your pores, tones your skin and boosts circulation; a high-impact treatment that will leave you feeling exhilarated. Some men's thalassotherapy and hydromassage treatments can be quite hectic, but massive fun. How much rough handling can you handle?



Any questions?



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