Health and Fitness / Wellness
Rugby aces’ quest to break the ruck of wellness elitism
They are not strangers to breaching the ruck on the turf, but two Bristol-based rugby stars have turned their attention to breaking the mould of the wellness industry.
With the rise of established wellness centres requiring hefty annual subscriptions, this has inevitably led to criticism that wellness has become too “elitist”.
But not so for Harry Thacker and Jake Woolmore, who are spreading their message of “inclusive wellness” from music festivals and similar gatherings with an almost evangelical zeal.
is needed now More than ever
The newly installed twin saunas are a key feature of Sivo Wellness – photo: Milan Perera
Their names might sound familiar. They admit they were not initially cut out to be business founders but they say the natural progression of their venture from trying to improve their own personal wellbeing to scaling it into a business model has been an organic process.
“Perhaps too organic,” said Harry Thacker with a chuckle.
Both Harry and Jake play for Bristol Bears, and I recently caught up with them while they had a brief break from their gruelling training schedules.
Sivo Wellness is located on the grounds of Leigh Court – photo: Milan Perera
Harry, who plays hooker, and Jake, who plays prop, have both been integral parts of Pat Lam’s Bristol team for several years.
They do not see their wellness enterprise as something mutually exclusive to their playing careers but as a springboard to enhance their performances.
Founded in 2023, Sivo Wellness has found its home in the stables area of Leigh Court the other side of the Suspension Bridge and only a short distance from the Bears’ High Performance Centre in Failand.
The facility consists of saunas, ice baths and a wellness garden – photo: Sivo Wellness
Businessman Johnny Palmer is the brains behind the Stables at Leigh Court, which he purchased some years ago.
Sivo Wellness has found its home in the Stables’ grounds, enclosed by a stone wall and surrounded by lush greenery.
It has only been based there for just over a year but has ambitious plans to build a meditation and breathing room in their ‘Wellness Garden’.
Rugby aces Harry Thacker and Jake Woolmore attending to the day-to-day duties at Sivo Wellness – photo: Milan Perera
“I have used saunas at well-known fitness centres myself, but I always felt they could be better,” Jake said.
“After training, our facilities can get a bit busy, and we want to find somewhere to relax and recover. That’s where it all began.”
The enclosed garden of Sivo consists of two wooden sauna pods with wooden interiors and equipped with wood-fired stoves, with adjustable steam levels.
There are also two ice baths and a cold shower for alternating sessions.
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The Sivo team also take an adapted horse box to festivals, where they aim to win over sceptics of saunas, whose preconceived notions may have caused them to dismiss them as “fads”.
Harry said: “It’s always encouraging when we get people who try a sauna for the first time – most of the time, someone has bought them a session. They come out of the sauna pleasantly surprised.”
Their sauna has become a popular pit stop for other sports stars including surfer Laura Crane, and others who take on gruelling physical challenges.
There are complementary skills in playing rugby and installing saunas – photo: Sivo Wellness
Both Harry and Jake, initially sceptical about saunas and the wellness industry, spoke about the long-established health benefits of saunas, which have been a common fixture in Scandinavian countries but have only recently gained traction in other parts of the world.
When I protested that I did not want to shock anyone with my own less-than-professional-sportsman physique in the sauna, they both reassured me, saying I would be absolutely fine.
Jake added: “This is for everyone, irrespective of fitness level. We know that health isn’t defined by having a six-pack, running ultra-marathons, or spending hours in the gym.
“And we understand that everyone is at a different level, and our goal is to help people improve in a way that fits their lifestyle.”
Intrepid Bristol24/7 reporter Milan Perera climbs into the ice bath – photo: Harry Thacker
After sitting in the sauna for a full 20 minutes, with heavy perspiration, I was beginning to think they both have a strong point, as I emerged rejuvenated.
The pair pointed to many scientific studies that have demonstrated that saunas can help improve circulation and promote better heart health by increasing heart rate and improving blood flow, similar to moderate exercise.
It may also lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the intense heat helps to flush toxins from the body through perspiration.
Harry Thacker and Jake Woolmore are the founders of Sivo Wellness – photo: Milan Perera
Palmer, who is himself a regular sauna user, predicts a seismic shift in people’s behavioural patterns.
He said: “The mental and physical health benefits of sauna communities are enormous. I can personally attest to this.
“I believe saunas are going to take on the traditional role that churches and pubs used to fill. As we become a healthier and more sober society, saunas are the perfect pastime.”
Main photo: Milan Perera
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