Australian Coworking Brand Enters Fitness Market with Community-Driven Wellness Clubs
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
The Commons, a leading Australian coworking space provider, is expanding into the wellness sector with the launch of its first Health Club in Richmond, Melbourne. Scheduled to open in September 2025, the initiative introduces an integrated model combining fitness, recovery, and social connection within the framework of a shared workspace. A second Health Club location is planned for South Yarra in January 2026.
The move reflects a growing shift among urban professionals who are seeking more from their wellness experiences than traditional gyms offer. Increasingly, consumers are looking for spaces that combine convenience, personalization, and a sense of community. This trend is driving the evolution of health clubs into multi-use facilities where training, recovery, and social interaction can take place under one roof.
Spanning more than 5,000 square meters, the Richmond facility brings together an expansive gym floor, purpose-built class studios, coworking lounges, a café, and a full-service bathhouse. According to The Commons, the goal is to offer a comprehensive experience that supports both physical and mental well-being, alongside professional productivity.
The programming includes over 200 classes per week across 20 formats, such as reformer and mat Pilates, yoga, strength training, spin, dance, and low-impact recovery practices like sound bathing, breathwork, and Yamuna body rolling. A full suite of performance assessments and recovery modalities will also be available, including VO2 max testing, red light therapy, lymphatic compression, infrared saunas, and Theragun stations.
Bathhouse amenities include magnesium-infused hot pools, a cold plunge, sauna, steam room, and heated stone benches. Community-led experiences such as group sauna and ice sessions, as well as candlelit bath rituals, are also part of the programming.
“Our goal is to create a space where people can improve their health, connect socially, and feel supported in all aspects of their wellness journey,” said Cliff Ho, Co-Founder and CEO of The Commons. “We’re seeing a real shift, especially among younger generations, towards valuing holistic health and more balanced work lives.”
Designed in collaboration with DesignOffice, the Richmond Health Club features a material palette of cork, timber, and concrete, paired with saturated color accents to give the space a modern and inviting character. The South Yarra location will follow a similar model and design philosophy.
Foundation memberships start at $79 AUD per week for unlimited fitness classes and $119 AUD per week for fitness plus bathhouse access, with both requiring a 12-month commitment. Members will have access to both Richmond and South Yarra locations.
The Health Club concept is part of a larger multi-year expansion strategy for The Commons, which includes coworking, wellness, and hospitality initiatives. While the integration of fitness and workspaces is not new, The Commons’ approach positions wellness as a central part of the professional routine, rather than an optional add-on.
By creating spaces that serve both functional and social purposes, The Commons aims to meet the evolving needs of a market where wellness is increasingly viewed as a shared, everyday priority.
