The Rise of Wellness Clubs: Where Fitness Meets Luxury and Connection

Los Angeles has always been a city of reinvention, whether in entertainment, fashion, or lifestyle. But in recent years, one trend has taken center stage in shaping how Angelenos socialize, work, and prioritize their well-being: the wellness club.

Unlike traditional gyms or yoga studios, wellness clubs like Remedy Place and Heimat offer more than a workout. They're private social sanctuaries designed for those who crave a balance of fitness, recovery, community, and luxury all under one roof. Think less fluorescent-lit gym memberships and more curated experiences that feel like a cross between Soho House, a spa retreat, and the future of healthcare.

For decades, wellness has been a deeply personal pursuit, with meditation, therapy, nutrition, and fitness often practiced in solitude. But Los Angeles has redefined wellness as something you share. Group ice baths, communal sound baths, or networking over adaptogenic cocktails are becoming the new happy hour.

"People don't just want a workout anymore, they want an experience," explains Dr. Jonathan Leary, founder of Remedy Place. "We created a place where health and human connection coexist, where socializing is actually good for you."

It's a shift that reflects a broader cultural change. In a post-pandemic world, Angelenos are seeking intentional spaces where they can build their bodies, minds, and professional networks simultaneously.

Often described as the "anti-gym," Remedy Place feels more like a luxury spa crossed with a modern-day salon. Members gather not for cocktails, but for cryotherapy sessions, IV drips, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and guided breathwork.

The lounge-like atmosphere makes it easy to strike up a conversation while waiting for a treatment, networking in its healthiest form.

"Instead of meeting a friend for drinks, I'll invite them to do a group ice bath with me," says Maya H., a Remedy Place member and creative director. "It's social, it's fun, and afterward you leave feeling incredible, way better than after a hangover brunch."

Tucked in the heart of Hollywood, Heimat is redefining the luxury fitness experience. With a design-forward space that includes everything from rooftop pools to Michelin-inspired dining, Heimat blends serious workouts with serious indulgence.

"LA is full of gyms, but we wanted to create something different," says Sebastian Schoepe, president & CEO of RSG Group North America, Heimat's parent company. "A space where fitness, culture, and lifestyle meet. It's a home away from home."

Members can move seamlessly from a strength training class to a facial, followed by rooftop cocktails, all while being surrounded by like-minded creatives and entrepreneurs.

"After my morning Pilates class, I'll often stay the entire day working from the rooftop lounge," shares Andrew B., an entertainment lawyer and Heimat member. "By evening, I've had meetings, a workout, and dinner with friends all in one place. It's the most efficient form of luxury."

Just as private members' clubs once signaled social status, wellness clubs now represent a new kind of currency: the prioritization of health, balance, and access.

"For our members, wellness isn't just about physical fitness, it's about who they surround themselves with," explains wellness strategist and LA tastemaker Nicole Restrepo. "These clubs have become networking hubs where collaboration happens naturally. It's the new power lunch."

Membership doesn't just buy you a gym, it buys you belonging to a forward-thinking community. For many, these clubs are the new office, the new happy hour, and the new weekend ritual rolled into one. Business meetings happen in meditation rooms. Friendships are formed in cold plunges. Deals are made over green juices instead of martinis.

The rise of these clubs points to a bigger shift: wellness is no longer a side activity; it's a lifestyle.

As more Angelenos embrace holistic health, expect to see even more hybrid spaces that blur the lines between gym, spa, workspace, and social club.

"Los Angeles has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to wellness," says celebrity trainer and lifestyle coach Jenna Willis. "But what's happening now is different; it's not about exclusivity, it's about creating communities where people truly feel better together."

For a city built on reinvention, it feels like a natural next step. Los Angeles isn't just working out anymore, it's working in, connecting deeply, and redefining what it means to live well.

By IG @jessicahall