Overview
When you first walk into The Commons Health Club, located in Melbourne's ever-stylish suburb of Richmond, it looks much like the co-working spaces The Commons is known for. Full of natural light and greenery, the public-facing cafe anchors the space upon entry. But beyond the collagen smoothies and salads lies a true wonderland of wellbeing, featuring a gym, studio classes, and Melbourne's latest addition to the bathhouse movement.
The Commons Health Club is a members-only destination that places as much emphasis on aesthetics and design as it does on training and recovery. Designed by Collingwood-based architecture and interiors studio DesignOffice, the fit-out balances cork, timber and concrete with rich, saturated hues, creating an environment that feels warm, grounded and quietly luxurious. With Australia boasting one of the world's fastest-growing wellness economies, The Commons Health Club is a natural evolution for the brand and the city itself. I spent an afternoon exploring the new work-and-wellness space. Here are the highlights.
After swiping your membership app at reception, you're led into a bright co-working and hangout space adjoining the cafe. From here, three purpose-built studios branch off to the left, each dedicated to different movement practices including reformer pilates, hot mat, yoga, breathwork, meditation and more. There are over 200 classes weekly for members to work into their schedules.
On a Thursday afternoon, I attended the 5:30pm reformer pilates class. Inside the expansive studio, 24 reformer beds are spaced generously across the room, allowing the class to feel calm rather than crowded. As people trickled in, the instructor welcomed us warmly, signalling that work was over, and now it was time to focus on self-care.
The class was hard, but no side-eye was received if you needed a breather mid-crouching tiger. The muted colours of wood and cork gave the space a spa-like feel, despite the elevated heart rates. Unlike most pilates studios around the city, no wet wipes were handed around to hastily clean the equipment post-class. Instead, we were asked to leave our equipment where it was so the staff could clean the beds themselves — a small detail that reinforced the health club's premium nature.
Downstairs, the space opens into a sprawling free-form gym, complete with change rooms and a bathhouse. The gym is divided into multiple zones, featuring state-of-the-art equipment. Cardio machines, including treadmills, ellipticals and spin bikes, are available around the clock, while the strength and conditioning area boasts the largest collection of Swedish Eleiko weights in Australia.
A large skylight draws natural light into the subterranean space, softening the industrial concrete finishes and making the gym feel unexpectedly open. Despite being on a single level (and my arrival occurring as the post-work rush began), there was no battle for machines or queues for equipment. The space felt both spacious and private at once. The recovery zone is equally considered, offering members deep-tissue recovery machines, compression boots and health assessment add-ons with an expert. Signature personal training programs are also available for a fee to help members get the most out of the classes and equipment.
By the gym sits the concierge desk, where members are issued a wristband granting access to the bathhouse. The private sanctuary features leading Clearlight infrared saunas, red light therapy, and lymphatic compression. After spending 20 minutes in the infrared sauna (that comes complete with Bluetooth connectivity and a temperature-safe phone compartment) I emerged rejuvenated.
The bathhouse itself is the destination within the destination. It's a sanctuary of hot and cold therapy, featuring 36°C and 39°C magnesium baths, a 6°C cold plunge, a traditional sauna, a steam room, and heated stone benches. In recent years, bathhouses have become a staple for Melburnians looking to rest and restore from busy weeks. At The Commons Health Club, you don't have to wait for a weekend booking or have a time limit on how long you spend soaking in the baths or deep thinking in the sauna.
By having a bathhouse in the same space as a co-working space and gym, you can work and recover whenever your schedule allows. Signature bathhouse experiences are set to arrive at The Commons Health Club soon, including candlelit magnesium soaks, immersive sound baths, and community-led rituals designed to foster connection.
If you weren't already convinced that every detail has been thoughtfully considered, just look at the change rooms. Dyson styling tools, Kevin Murphy hair products, CeraVe skincare, and the cult sunscreen brand Standard Procedure adorn the shelves, available for members to use. If you've forgotten your toothbrush, a razor or need an electrolyte boost post-workout, the concierge team have thought of it all. As you exit, a seasonal Fragrance Bar featuring rotating Maison Margiela scents perches on the concierge's desk, offering members a complimentary spritz or two from four luxurious perfumes before they head off for their day.
Just like The Commons co-working spaces that are popping up across Melbourne and Sydney's inner-city suburbs, The Commons Health Club is already expanding, with the South Yarra branch set to open in March, mere months after Richmond. From morning workouts and midday meetings to post-work sauna sessions, The Commons Health Club is supporting a modern way of life. One that blends work, wellness, and a sense of community, all under the one well-designed roof.
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