WELLNESS PLAY THE FITNESS INDUSTRY HAS A NEW CANVAS FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH, WITH EXERCISE NOW AT THE FOREFRONT OF PREVENTATIVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS. FITNESS PLAYGROUND FOUNDER JUSTIN ASHLEY TALKS US THROUGH THE VISION FOR THE NEW WELLNESS PLAYGROUND CONCEPT IN SYDNEY’S MARRICKVILLE, WRITES CAMERON PINE.
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espite lockdowns, uncertainty and hiccups with a completely new refit, Wellness Playground pushed on and opened by the last quarter of a tumultuous 2021. The facility that conjures up the atmosphere of a health spa and not a gym, offers all the typical high-intensity fitness offerings within an oasis of yoga, dance, pilates, reformer and barre studios and experiences, plus infrared saunas, calming hangout spaces, luxe bathrooms and powder room. It’s safe to say Wellness Playground has changed the game when it comes to fitness. “Each of the spaces are curated around experience and even a scent that’s specific to the objective of the space. The Yoga studio is dark and oversized, the dwell areas are light and luxurious - conducive to the best practice in the wellness space,” Justin said. Apart from the cohesive and welcoming minimalist entrance and common hallways, you’d be forgiven for thinking each of the spaces is a completely different venue – the dance studio is deliberately at the back with no natural light with a real ‘nightclub at 3am feel’ but it’s the sense of escapism and the experience of the class or zone being intrinsically matched to the architecture that makes this space so unique. “When designing this gym concept, we looked at other spaces we enjoy being in – how do we create a place where we could spend time, not just wanting to go there but also a place you genuinely look forward to going out to?” Justin said. The space creates a softness not often achievable in gyms, with curved concrete rendered walls and polished concrete
floors. The materials are often not the focus in an exercise driven environment. “Jumping on the computer, catching up on some work or dwell time. That’s what’s missing in a regular gym. Generally we wanted to design a space that’s beautiful and doesn’t look like a gym, but more like an exclusive spa,” Justin said. “The future of fitness and wellness is all about going somewhere we enjoy and having the resources to feel well and not just work out,” he said. For the build, Justin and co-founder Serra Burmin took inspiration from the natural environments where you wouldn’t usually expect a natural aesthetic. Rendered walls with a warming feeling and no harsh corners are more common in relaxed spaces and not a fitness facility – it immediately feels comfortable due to the curvature and flow of the space. No expense was spared even on the walls. Typically the wall would be rendered then painted but this time it was
