Which massage should I book? A plain guide
You know you want a massage. You open the booking page, see eight options, and close it again because you can’t tell which one is meant for you. That happens a lot.
Search “types of massage” and you’ll get lists of twenty styles from around the world, most of which you won’t find on any menu near you. This guide is narrower. It covers the massages we actually offer at being in St Albans, and sorts them by what’s bothering you rather than by technique.
Start with how you feel. The right booking usually follows from that.
Start with the problem you actually have
Most people come in with one of a handful of complaints. Find yours here, then read the section below it if you want more detail.
- Tight shoulders and neck from a desk or a laptop? Upper Body Anti Stress (£70) or Back Massage (£50).
- Heavy legs from running or standing all day? Leg Rescue (£70).
- Nothing specific, you just want to switch off? The being Massage, 60 minutes (£80) or 90 minutes (£110).
- Always cold? Deep Warmth Massage (£90).
- Stiff, and want to move more freely? Stretch (£90).
- Pregnant? Pregnancy Massage (£80).
- Short on time or budget? Back Massage (£50).
If two of those sound like you, pick the one that’s been bothering you longest. You can try the other next time.
When you just want to switch off
The being Massage is the one to book if nothing hurts in particular and you simply want an hour where nobody needs anything from you. It’s the massage we named after ourselves, and it comes in two lengths: 60 minutes for £80, or 90 minutes for £110.
Which length? If you’ve not had a massage in a while, or you find it hard to settle, take the 90. It can take a while to stop running through your to-do list, and a longer session leaves more time after that. If you’ve booked it in a lunch break or before collecting the kids, 60 is plenty.
This is also the safe choice when you’re buying for someone else and don’t know what they’d want. More on that in the FAQ.
When something specific is bothering you
Shoulders and neck: Upper Body Anti Stress or Back Massage
If you spend your day hunched over a screen, you probably know the feeling: shoulders up near your ears by Thursday, and a neck that clicks when you turn it. Two options suit this.
Upper Body Anti Stress (£70) is the one to pick when the tension sits in your shoulders, neck and upper back, and you’d like the time spent there rather than spread across your whole body. Back Massage (£50) keeps the focus on your back. It’s the lower-priced option, and a good one when time is tight.
Legs: Leg Rescue
Leg Rescue (£70) is for legs that have had a hard week. Runners after a long run or a race, and anyone on their feet all day in a shop or on a ward. If your legs feel heavy when you sit down at night, this is the one.
Stiffness: Stretch
Stretch (£90) suits people who feel tight and restricted rather than sore. If getting out of the car or bending to tie your laces feels like more effort than it should, book this.
Pregnant: Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy Massage (£80) is the one to book if you’re expecting. Your back, hips and legs are carrying more than usual, and lying down comfortably can get harder each month. If your pregnancy has any complications, check with your midwife before you book. Our guide to prenatal massage covers this in more detail.
Always cold: Deep Warmth Massage
Some people are cold from October to April. Cold hands and feet, and a chill a hot shower doesn’t quite shift. The Deep Warmth Massage (£90) is aimed at you. The name says what it’s for, and it’s a good pick on a grey winter afternoon.
When you’re ready, you can book your massage online and pick a time that suits you.
If you were looking for sports or deep tissue massage
Plenty of people search for these, so it’s worth being straight: being does not offer sports massage or deep tissue massage. We’d rather tell you that here than have you book something expecting a treatment we don’t do.
If you train regularly and wanted a sports massage to help your legs between sessions, Leg Rescue is the closest honest match on our menu. If what you’re after is help with stiffness and moving more easily, look at Stretch. Neither is a sports massage under a different name. They’re what we offer, and one of them may suit what you were after.
If you have an injury, something that’s getting worse, or pain you can’t explain, see a GP or a physio first. A massage is a good way to look after yourself. It’s not a diagnosis.
Warm up first in the infrared sauna
If you can spare an extra half hour, book a session in the infrared sauna before your massage.
A sauna session is 30 minutes: about 25 minutes in your own private sauna room, plus time to shower and change. It costs £30, or £37 for a couples session. You go into your massage already warm, rather than straight in from the car park with cold hands and a busy head.
If you’ve never used one, our guide to your first infrared sauna visit explains what happens from start to finish. There’s more on why the two work well together in our post on sauna and massage, and you can read about the room itself on our page for infrared sauna in St Albans.
If you want the full visit, you can add a float as well. When you do float and sauna in one visit, float first, then sauna. Floating is 60 minutes in a private room with an open pool of body-temperature water and over 500kg of Epsom salts. You can find out more about floatation in St Albans on our float page.
Still not sure? A quick way to decide
Ask yourself one question: is something bothering you, or do you just need a break?
If something’s bothering you, pick the massage named after it. Shoulders, legs, back, stiffness, pregnancy, the cold. If you just need a break, book the being Massage and choose the length that fits your day.
Lots of people searching for a spa day really want the same thing: a couple of hours that belong to them. We’re not a spa, but we’re an alternative to a spa in St Albans, with floatation, infrared sauna and expert massage under one roof. You can see the full list of what we offer on our page for massage in St Albans, or go straight to our online booking page and choose your time.
We’re at 1 Francis Bacon House, Bricket Road, a short walk from St Albans City station. The nearest car parks are The Maltings (AL1 3HL) and the Civic Centre car park (AL1 3JX).
Frequently asked questions
Which massage should I book for my first time?
The being Massage. It doesn’t assume you have a specific problem. Take 60 minutes if you’re unsure how you’ll feel, or 90 if you know you’ll want the extra time.
Do you offer sports massage or deep tissue massage?
No. We don’t offer either. If you were looking for help with legs after training, try Leg Rescue. If it’s stiffness and movement you’re after, try Stretch.
Is 60 or 90 minutes better?
Neither is better, it depends on your day. Ninety gives you more time once you’ve settled, which helps if you find it hard to switch off. Sixty fits more easily around work or the school run.
Can I buy a massage as a gift?
Yes. Gift vouchers start from £50 and you buy them online. If you’re unsure which massage they’d like, a voucher lets them choose.
How often should I book a massage?
It depends on what you’re booking it for. We’ve written a separate guide on how often you should get a massage that goes through it.
Your next step
Want to compare them properly? Our massage page lists every treatment with how long it takes and who it suits. See the massage menu.
Still torn between two? Tell us what is bothering you and the team will point you to the right one. Message us on WhatsApp.
Know what you want? Pick a day and time that suits you in a couple of minutes. Book online.