4 wellness trends shaping Sale in 2026

Sale’s wellness scene is becoming more social and more mainstream than ever before.

Why it matters: As wellness continues to grow into a major global industry, those shifts are showing up locally in how Sale locals work out, recover and think about self-care – and they’re giving the town a boost too. Every booking, class and treatment helps keep independent studios, clinics and therapists busy, supports local jobs and encourages people to spend their time (and money) on the high street rather than heading elsewhere. In other words: wellness isn’t just changing routines; it’s helping Sale’s local business scene thrive.

Here are four of the biggest health and wellness trends expected to shape Sale in 2026.

Open water swimming 

It seems like everyone is jumping into cold water right now. It’s not just for the health benefits; it’s for the community it brings too. 

Open Swim UK’s open water swimming sessions at Sale Water Park are more popular than ever and are led by an experienced, qualified coaching team.

Open Swim UK run six sessions of open water swimming every week between April and September at Sale Water Park and then Winter Swims from October to March. 

Pilates Manchester © Life in Sale

Pilates boom

Pilates is one of the fastest-growing workouts in the UK and that growth is evident in Sale.

There are several types of Pilates, but when you hear the term "Pilates princess" or "Pilates body," most people are referring to the high-intensity, low-impact workouts made popular by studios like Pilates Manchester or Reform MCR.

Pilates Manchester has been located in Sale for over a decade, offering reformer PIlates on top of a holistic spine, rehab and performance centre. Reform MCR Studio opened on Washway Road in 2025 and the latest arrival is Solace Studios, a boutique fitness studio, set to open in Stanley Square soon. 

Good to know: Yes, Pilates is booming right now, but Sale still loves to lift. Strength training gyms in Sale continue to be popular, reflected in a mix of longtime gyms like Cosmos Sale Weight Training Club​ and newer businesses including Apex Coaching, Lift Sale and PureGym Sale.

Microneedling: Non-invasive anti-ageing

Microneedling might be everywhere right now, but it’s unfair of us to name it a wellness “trend” – it’s a science-backed treatment, which helps explain why so many people in Sale are getting involved. 

Using a device that creates tiny, controlled micro-injuries on the skin’s surface, microneedling kickstarts the body’s natural repair response, which can support collagen and elastin production over time. The result (usually across a course of treatments rather than a one-off) is skin that can look smoother, firmer and more even in tone, with people often booking in to target concerns like texture, fine lines, enlarged pores, acne marks and dullness. It’s also popular because it sits in that sweet spot between “noticeable results” and “not a drastic change” – the aim is fresher-looking skin that still looks like you. If you’re considering it locally, practitioners in Sale offering microneedling include Life of Riley Medical Aesthetics, Love Beauty (pictured above), The Skin Edit by Emma, The B Company and Fox Aesthetics.

The big picture: Though generally pricier than the average facial, more people are budgeting for these types of treatments in the same way they do other ‘regular’ self-care expenses.

Infrared sauna therapy 

Sitting in an infrared sauna – how effective can it really be? Turns out, quite a bit.

Infrared saunas are having a moment in the wellness scene because they tick two boxes at the same time: they feel deeply relaxing and people like the idea of supporting their health from the inside out. Unlike a traditional sauna that mainly heats the air around you, infrared warmth is designed to heat your body more directly, which is why many people say it feels gentler (but still effective). 

Fans of infrared sessions often book in for that post-session “reset” feeling, using it as part of a routine to unwind, support better sleep, boost circulation for a fresher-looking glow and ease tight muscles after exercise. If you want to try it locally, Solunexa Medispa in Sale offers infrared sauna therapy alongside its doctor-led aesthetics; a nice fit if you like your wellness to be both calming and considered.

Now over to you: Which wellness trends are you leaning into this year? Is there a treatment or service you wish Sale had – or one you already love? Leave a comment below.