What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5:30pm Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm Thursday 8am - 5:30pm Friday 8am - 5:30pm

Urban Athlete

Home
New Zealand
Auckland
Urban Athlete

There are hundreds of physios out there but how do you know you’ve landed a good one? Giving physi WHY CHOOSE US?

Giving physio treatment is easy- actually getting to the root of the problem and getting someone truly better is a tad more complicated. That’s where experience and clinical reasoning comes in- and we’ve got years and years of it. Anyone can push on the sore bit, but why you’re doing it and working out why it’s sore in the first place- well, that’s where we come in. Don’t be fooled by our name ‘Urban athlete’ (although we thought it was quite ironic)- you don’t have be an ‘athlete’ or even ‘urban’ for that matter as we’ve been providing expert diagnosis and treatment for all manner of injuries to anyone and everyone from the pro’s, the CEO’s, right down to the lows (you’re not low really) all with the same care and dedication. We may have a few letters after our names but we like to keep things simple, simple descriptions of your injury and simply how we are going to fix it. We like a bit of banter too, to us it’s also about the whole experience while we are getting you better, that’s why we have the best space in town and thrive on a bit of chit chat. I reckon we can even talk you better- open and clear communication is where it’s at, easy. We’ll describe things in a language that everyone can understand, not just fancy medical terms (unless you really want a technical name dropping diagnosis to show off to your friends and colleagues- well we do like to be indulged every now and then…)
We’re not just a one trick pony either and provide a smorgasbord of Physiotherapy related services including; sports podiatry services, massage, nutrition, running assessment, work station ergonomics/seminars, and have close links to our preferred sports Dr’s and specialist surgeons.

26/03/2026

🏃‍♀️ One minute you’re cruising through your run… the next — sharp pain under your ribs 😖

That’s the dreaded side stitch — and it’s more common than you think (especially in kids and beginner runners).

This came up close to home recently when my 7-year-old got one during cross country training — now she’s worried it’ll happen every run.

So here’s the simple breakdown 👇

💡 Why it happens:
• Breathing strain
• Running too soon after eating
• Poor posture
• Jumping into high intensity too fast

🛡️ How to prevent it:
✔️ Avoid heavy meals before running
✔️ Start slow and build up
✔️ Focus on deep belly breathing
✔️ Stay relaxed through your torso

⚡ If it hits:
Slow down, breathe deeply, apply gentle pressure — it usually passes quickly.

Good news? It’s harmless and very manageable 🙌

👉 Read more here: https://www.urbanathlete.co.nz/blog/our-guide-to-the-old-side-stitch
👉 Or book in here if running pain is holding you back: https://nzappts.gensolve.com/urban_athlete

12/03/2026

🏃‍♂️ Calf Injuries in Runners: The Muscle Most People Forget to Train

If you’ve ever felt that sudden calf “twinge” during a run, you’re not alone.

Many calf injuries actually occur in the soleus — a deeper calf muscle that does most of the work when you run. The problem? Most common calf exercises don’t train it effectively.

A few simple changes to your training can significantly reduce your injury risk:
✔️ Add bent-knee calf strengthening
✔️ Monitor soreness early
✔️ Avoid sudden spikes in mileage or hills

Taking care of this often-overlooked muscle can help keep you running consistently and injury-free.

Read more in our latest blog 👇
https://www.urbanathlete.co.nz/blog/calf-injuries-in-runners
Or book an appointment with one of our Physios 👇
https://nzappts.gensolve.com/urban_athlete

20/02/2026

🏔️ Winter Olympics — and the now famous ACL

One story last week caught a lot of attention: Lindsey Vonn attempting to compete after completely rupturing her ACL.

At 41, she reportedly tore her anterior cruciate ligament just days before the Games. She trained intensively with her medical team, used a brace, and still returned to the slopes.

When that news broke, it sparked conversation in our clinic — not dramatic, just curious and clinical:

• How is she managing that knee?
• What’s providing stability?
• How much is neuromuscular control versus bracing?
• What does this tell us about ACL function?

Here’s the interesting part:
The ACL is important — especially for rotational control — but it isn’t the only contributor to knee stability.

With:
✔ Strong quads and hamstrings
✔ High-level proprioception
✔ Elite movement control
✔ External bracing
✔ Years of conditioning

…it becomes more understandable how someone might function at a high level.

Would we recommend this for most people? No.
Is it biomechanically impossible? Not at all.

We regularly see patients:
• Exercising without an ACL
• Returning to running without surgery
• Progressing through structured non-surgical rehab

The body is adaptable — sometimes more than people expect.

Her later crash (reportedly a high-speed gate catch resulting in a tibial fracture) highlights something important:

Injury is rarely about one structure in isolation.

It’s load.
It’s speed.
It’s fatigue.
It’s environment.

The ACL may be part of the story — but it’s rarely the whole story.

18/02/2026

🏔️ Winter Olympics time

Our girl Zoi taking silver in the Big Air final — amazing!

I’ve always loved watching the Olympics — incredible athletes, stunning settings, and seeing events you don’t normally get to watch.

My wife and I were watching cross-country skiing recently, and wow — out of all the sports I’ve seen, these athletes push themselves to the absolute limit. They collapse over the finish line, completely spent. That’s the level of effort you want to see at the Olympics.

We love watching the “unusual” events too (well unusual to us) — luge, skeleton (and two person skeleton — how is that a thing?), bobsled, and of course Big Air skiing and snowboarding.

Some of these events don’t even make sense to me. Take the biathlon, for example — cross-country skiing combined with shooting a gun. Alpine snipers sign up for this one…

But the level of effort I saw from Jessie Diggins was unlike anything I’ve seen before. She looked like she couldn’t possibly give any more. Technically it might not be the prettiest to watch, but it was gutsy, inspiring, and utterly fascinating.

Exactly what the Olympics are about.

06/02/2026

🏃‍♂️ February Special: Complete Running Assessment Package

Running is one of the simplest ways to stay fit — but it’s also one of the most common ways runners get injured.

What we see time and again in the clinic is this 👇
Most running issues aren’t caused by one “bad run” — they’re about how your body is managing load, technique, and recovery over time.

That’s why we’ve pulled together our most popular running education — and paired it with a Complete Running Assessment Package to help you turn insight into action.

✔️ Video running assessment
✔️ Follow-up reassessment
✔️ 30-minute sports massage

📅 February only
Private: $385 | ACC: $310

👉 Read more: https://www.urbanathlete.co.nz/blog/february-special-complete-running-assessment-package
👉 Book online: https://www.urbanathlete.co.nz/ua-running-assessment

If running is something you want to keep doing long-term, this is one of the most effective ways to gain clarity and confidence.

Happy running,
The Urban Athlete Team

05/02/2026

🇳🇿 Hari Rā o Waitangi | Happy Waitangi Day

Āpōpō, ka whakanuia e mātou Te Tiriti o Waitangi me ngā uara e hono ana i a tātou katoa i Aotearoa.
Tomorrow, we acknowledge Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the values that connect us all in Aotearoa.

E mihi ana mātou ki ō mātou tūroro me te hapori whānui mō tō koutou whakawhirinaki mai ki a mātou.
We thank our patients and wider community for the trust you place in us.

E manako ana mātou kia whai wā koutou mō te whakatā, te noho tahi, me te nekehanga āpōpō.
We hope you’re able to enjoy some rest, connection, and movement tomorrow.

Ngā mihi nui,
The Urban Athlete Team

04/02/2026

✨ Welcome to the team, Helen! ✨

Meet Helen Draper, our new Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at the Auckland CBD clinic.

With over 20 years of experience, Helen has helped active people, athletes, and those managing pain get back to doing what they love. She combines expert assessment, hands-on treatment, and tailored exercise programmes to support long-term movement and recovery.

Originally trained and practicing in the UK — including work with elite athletes and sports teams — Helen now calls Auckland home and is fully immersed in the running and triathlon community.

Whether you’re returning from injury, managing ongoing pain, or looking to move better day-to-day, Helen is here to support you.

👉 Book with Helen: https://nzappts.gensolve.com/urban_athlete/clinician/details/helen_draper

27/01/2026

🏃‍♀️ Stretch smarter, not longer!

New research in 2026 shows that stretching has real benefits — but only when used with purpose. Short stretches improve flexibility and reduce stiffness, but stretching alone won’t prevent injuries, fix posture, or speed recovery.

Combine stretching with strength training and movement-based exercises for the best results. Want personalised advice on your stretching routine? Our physios can help.

Read more on our blog https://www.urbanathlete.co.nz/blog/stretching-in-2026-what-actually-helps-and-what-doesnt
📅 Book your assessment today!

14/01/2026

Visiting us soon? We want your experience to be easy from the moment you arrive. 😊

We’ve put together this short video to show you exactly how to get from the street up to our clinic, so you know where to go and what to expect before you arrive. If it’s your first visit or you just want a quick refresher, this walkthrough will help make your visit smooth and stress-free.

📍 You can find us in the Vulcan Buildings, Level 3, 118 Queen Street, Auckland CBD. Entrance is on Vulcan lane behind Michael Hill.

We look forward to welcoming you and taking great care of you!

11/01/2026

January Tune-Up / Injury Prevention Reminder

Every January we see a HUGE spike in injuries — people go straight from holiday mode → back into running, gym programs, work, or sports… often a little too fast 😅

If you’re feeling a bit tight, a bit sore, or just not quite ready for the year ahead, a quick tune-up or movement check-in can make a big difference.

A small issue now is much easier to fix than a big injury later.
We’ve got appointments available — book in if you need us!
https://nzappts.gensolve.com/urban_athlete

04/01/2026

We’re back! 🙌

The team is refreshed, recharged, and ready for another massive year helping you move well, feel strong, and stay injury-free.

If you’re getting back into training, returning to work, or just realising that your holiday “I’ll deal with that later” niggles haven’t magically disappeared… we’ve got you.

Book online anytime — we’d love to see you and help you kick off 2025 feeling good.
https://nzappts.gensolve.com/urban_athlete

31/12/2025

✨ Kua hoki mai mātou! / Start 2026 strong!

The new year is here — a perfect time to sort injuries, start your rehab, or refresh your training. Whether you’re managing an ongoing issue or simply want to stay active and healthy, our team is ready to help you get on track from day one.

📅 Clinic open from Monday 5 January 2026

👉 Secure your first appointment online: www.urbanathlete.co.nz

Ngā mihi nui from the Urban Athlete team 🌿

Address

Queen Street
Auckland
1010

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 5:30pm
Thursday	8am - 5:30pm
Friday	8am - 5:30pm

Website

http://twitter.com/urbanathletenz, http://www.urbanathlete.co.nz/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Urban Athlete posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Urban Athlete:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Auckland?