This gym began as a humble local fitness space but, following multi-million-dollar redevelopments and even a rebranding, the former Fitness Playground has transformed into one of the world’s most epic health and wellness facilities, One Playground.
One Playground Newtown doesn’t look like a gym – and that’s the point, says One Playground CEO Justin Ashley, the Australian Young Entrepreneur of the Year. A lot of gyms can be pretty uninspiring spaces full of black equipment and machines, but One Playground Newtown has been designed to be as unique as the Newtown community, and a space you actually want to spend time in.
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The ethereal greeny-blue and white palette gives you the sense that you’re training in the clouds. Even all the custom-designed equipment is white. There’s a DJ booth perched over the space, which syncs up with a huge grid of lighting that can change colours and pulse to the beat of each song. It's definitely more nightclub than fitness centre.
It looks swish, but memberships for One Playground (which give you access to all One Playgrounds, in Surry Hills, Marrickville and Newtown, and the 400 or so classes that run across the clubs) are ridiculously affordable.
The opening of the shiny new space coincides with Fitness Playground’s rebrand to One Playground. Why the name change? Despite Fitness Playground’s success (it was named Best Boutique Gym in the World at the FIT Summit Awards in Singapore in 2022), Ashley says the rebrand was a logical evolution, because the brand offers a whole lot more than just ‘fitness’. One Playground offers an all-encompassing fitness, lifestyle and wellness concept.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, Australians spend almost $100 a week on their wellness. “In order to meet their fitness and wellness needs, many Australians carry a gym membership for weights and cardio, and then attend specialist studios for HIIT, spin, yoga and pilates. With classes often priced around $35 each, it’s [no wonder that people end up] investing well over $100 each week.
“One Playground’s unique offering will allow members to move away from holding various gym and studio memberships, combining them under one roof, with one affordable membership, without compromising on quality,” said Justin.
Each One Playground gym is as unique as the ‘New Newtown’ gym. For example, the curved natural textures at One Playground Marrickville make you feel like you’re stepping into a day spa in Mykonos. And One Playground Surry Hills has a 1920’s vintage vibe to suit the heritage building it’s in.
April 2024 update: One Playground Newtown is now home to a super-sparkly reformer studio, complete with state-of-the-art beds and more than 8,000 hand-installed mirrors.
Find out more about Newtown and the other locations here or at oneplayground.com.au.
