Wellness

As of 24 December, New Zealand’s adventure capital has officially welcomed a seriously luxe new wellness destination, with The Bathhouse Spa Queenstown now open and ready for soaking.

Meet Watershed: Queenstowns’ very own, purpose-built sauna, floating on Lake Wakatipu.  Just a stones’ throw from the CBD, it’s officially opening this December. 

We’re all for gyms levelling up their recovery game with the introduction of saunas and ice baths but a wellness space that’s completely free from the unrelenting beeps of tabata training just hits different. 

The famous cinnabun from Hill House Cafe has returned to South Auckland.

From Charles and Patrick Williams—the good folks who brought us Williams, one of Tāmaki's most frothed cafes (by restaurant royalty and hungry punters alike)—comes Bowler, a bangin' salad and açaí bowl pitstop tucked inside Les Mills on Victoria Street. 

Neon-lit workout spaces appear to be on the rise and, as a Personal Trainer who self-identifies as a Disco Moth, I couldn't be happier.

If you’re a pilates addict or a cardio junkie, you’ll know that while both kinds of workouts are body sculpting in their own way, both are missing something. Pilates gets you that beast-level core and perky glutes, but it doesn’t really get the heart racing, while a good HIIT or cardio session will burn calories and have you out of breath—but won’t help you achieve long lean muscles and serious core stability. 

Formally a mezzanine micro-studio perched above a hairdressers in Auckland CBD, So Fitness has got some brand new digs and we’re here for it. 

Have you heard about the boxing gym that is taking Auckland by storm? Well, let us introduce you to Studio Box. With a Newmarket location already under its wing, a brand new studio has opened up in the city that has evolved the studio's signature workout into a 45-minute, 10-round, full-body cardio and strength class.

Let’s be honest, who has time to work out these days? Yep, we understand the struggle. But what if we told you, you can get fit in just 20 minutes a week?! It sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong! Due to high demand, Auckland's first and only boutique EMS studio fu/nis has just opened a second outpost in Takapuna, bringing their fun and efficient training methods to the grateful citizens of the shore.

Goodness Bistro is aptly named – as soon as you walk into the elegant eatery in the newly refurbished Britomart precinct, you won't stop saying ‘Oh My Goodness’. Not least, because everything they make is gluten-free, vegan, organic, paleo and free from refined sugar.

If you're looking for bliss in a chic modern setting, you ought to hit Wyld. 

Let’s be honest, who has time to workout these days? Yep, we understand the struggle. But what if we told you, you can get fit in just 20 minutes a week?! It sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong!

The perfect antidote to the cold, windy and rainy weather, stepping into HANA's gorgeous space is like immersing yourself in a heavenly oasis of calm on a balmy day. 

When it comes to pilates, Reform Fitness do things a little differently. Forget that holistic, soul searching stuff. Reform Fitness are all about body enhancing, muscle trembling dynamic reformer pilates. Their full-bod workouts promise to provide a euphoric experience and enhance your body. They have a range of classes catering to all skill levels as well as—our favourite—a cardiolates class that combines high intensity interval training with pilates.

Want to work out but don’t want to slave away in the gym for hours? Then you’re in the right place—check out SALA, a gym with a difference. With the belief that movement and mindfulness are two sides of the same coin, SALA offers a variety of immersive classes that will have you sweating away your troubles in no time.

Just when you thought the fitness scene in Auckland couldn’t get any better, new kid on the block Playground Fitness is taking it up a notch by putting the fun back into fitness. Think nightclub-inspired lighting, state-of-the-art cardio and weights equipment, immersive music, and short 'n' snappy sets that'll get your heart rate up in no time.

Editor’s Note: This venue is permanently closed

Editor’s Note: This venue is permanently closed

Located in Ponsonby is one of Auckland’s very own branches of Spring Spas—the global frontrunners in the day spa industry. Combining beauty treatments with relaxation, Spring Spa offers pampering from head to toe with an emphasis on nails, skincare, waxing, threading and multi-treatment packages. With an open plan design and concrete floors set against natural wooden fittings and pops of modern colour, this is your very own urban beauty retreat where you can beautify in style. Book a private room for some ‘me’ time or take advantage of the spa lounge to visit with your girlfriends and do some bonding. Sitting on the Ponsonby ‘strip’, this is a perfect pre/post activity to a shopping spree or a meal out.

Feeling stressed and looking to bring a little Zen into your life? Then look no further than Chuan Spa. Situated in the heart of Auckland City at the upmarket Langham Hotel, Chuan Spa is a modern, oriental style retreat that offers an array of tranquil massages, skincare and beauty packages that will be sure to restore your Chi in no time.

Part of the Castaways Resort, the luxurious Bersanti Day Spa is Auckland's only cliff-top spa. Boasting breathtaking panoraic views of Karitahi Beach and beyond, things don't get much more spectacular than this!

Editor’s Note: This venue is permanently closed

Just a hop, skip and jump away from the city, Spa Ayurda is your go-to destination for a pamper sesh. This Ponsonby gem has allsorts of treatments on hand that will leave you feeling ultra zen and rejuvenated. Recently crowned as the best Ayurvedic spa in the whole of Oceania, their signature Ayurvedic Body Rituals are not to be missed. Want to get the whole family in on the pampering? Just your luck men's kids' and and pregancy wellness packages here too!

It's 2017 and we all want to reduce our waste and keep our globe clean and green. GoodFor is New Zealand's first zero plastic and zero packaging bulk wholefoods store. Say goodbye to plastics bags and hello to mason jars! GoodFor makes sustainable shopping a whole lot easier—browse their aisles for kombucha and peanut butter on tap!!! All plastic-free and eco-friendly, this new Ponsonby opening is not to be missed. And, if you're not convinced just yet, one tree will be planted for every purchase made in store. We're in!

The colour white symbolises new beginnings and that’s what White Spa + Float Lounge in Herne Bay strives for. With a focus of facials, waxing, massage, organic tans, tints and nails, this spa believes in mindful, holistic therapy solutions including their insanely relaxing flotation pods—you’ll get hooked on them! There’s tailored treatments for fellas, combination therapies and of course, the opportunity to float away your woes. White Spa + Float Lounge even do late nights (9.30pm from Tuesday to Thursday, and Saturday and Sunday) so you can get your fix after work hours.

When it comes to pilates, Reform Fitness do things a little differently. Forget that holistic, soul searching stuff. Reform Fitness are all about body enhancing, muscle trembling dynamic reformer pilates. Their full-bod workouts promise to provide a euphoric experience and enhance your body. They have a range of classes catering to all skill levels as well as—our favourite—a cardiolates class that combines high intensity interval training with pilates.

Editor’s Note: This venue is permanently closed

If you like to add a little variety to your exercise regime, head along to Studio 3 for a trio of your fave exercises—yoga, pilates and barre. This includes Xtend Barre™, which fuses dance, pilates and sculpting exercises at the ballet barre for a toned body—fast. Hop to!

For an oasis in the central city, head to Abundance for total nourishment of your mind, body and soul. Offering yoga, pilates and barre beautiful classes, all within a beautiful environment, Abundance is truly an escape from the busyness and stress of modern life. 

The Auckland Yoga Academy is a great location for both students and teachers alike. For overall health and wellbeing, unwind and de-stress with ashtanga and hatha yoga. There are also meditation/mindfulness classes and chanting. If you’d prefer a little more privacy, there’s also one-on-one session and if yoga is seriously your thing, you can even train as a teacher. 

Urban Ashram believes that everyone can benefit from practicing yoga, and their Ponsonby studio is definitely the place to do it. With classes to assist you in being strong, centred, aligned and mindful, Urban Ashram is a welcoming environment to relax and unwind in. Every Thursday night, the Yoga Lab hosts workshops, master classes, events and guest teachers to help you deepen your yoga practice. 

Nestled in Grey Lynn is one of Auckland’s best yoga studios. Yoga Ground is perfect for beginners and those wanting to find balance in their minds and lives. The studio is flooded with natural light and helps you find your flow one class at a time. Yoga Ground also hosts retreats in the Coromandel and Bali.

Golden Yogi in Takapuna understands that everyone has a different yoga style and practice it for different reasons. From vinyasa, yin yoga, kundalini (deep meditation) and align and flow, to restorative, kids and pregnancy, Golden Yogi has classes for every age and ability. Keep an eye out for events as they host regular workshops, retreats and talks. 

Situated in Stonefields, OM Yoga Studio will help you breathe, move and flow without aches and pains in no time. With a focus on yin, vinyasa and locating trigger points, OM offers classes for every level of fitness and flexibility. 

Located in Kingsland, The Centre is a serene yoga studio run by some of Auckland’s best yoga teachers and natural health therapists. They offered yoga, meditation, naturopathy, massage therapy and hypnotherapy as well as a number of different health services. The Centre lives on top of Little Bird Unbakery—the perfect place to pick up your post yoga snack. 

Whether you’re a yoga novice or as limber as can be, the team at beautiful new studio EastWest Yoga Newmarket will take you on a yogic journey through Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Nidra, Ashtanga and Yin Yang. The 22 classes a week range from 60 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on your fitness level and lifestyle. Joining the sister studio in Ponsonby, an EastWest membership now gives students access to both sites.

Keen to embrace yoga but don’t know where to start? EastWest Yoga in Ponsonby will help you learn the basics and get a killer workout at the same time. Located on Ponsonby Road, this yoga studio specialises in hot hatha, power vinyasa and yin classes. You can opt for different packages depending on your lifestyle. 

*Update: Now an online offering only.*

If you like to heat things up a bit, then head to Britomart for some bikram yoga. A series of 26 hatha yoga postures, combined with two pranyama breathing techniques, it’s designed to help you have an invigorating yet rejuvenating yoga experience. The Bikram Yoga Britomart studio temperature is kept at 40 degrees for the optimum workout. 

They may have been around for a hundred years, but The Teps are still as popular as ever. With two pools, spa and sauna facilities, as well as a fitness centre, The Tepid Baths are a one-stop health location. Not only this, but there’s also an on-site café for your caffeine fix post-workout. Get up bright and early for a swim before work or pop by for a dip after work. 

After a rather long stint in the shadows, the iconic Victoria Park Market has been returned to its former gorgeous self. It’s looking shiny and new, but with the exposed brick and community feel that made Aucklanders fall in love with the place all those years ago. Victoria Park Market’s re-development has seen a number of stores move in as well as some great bars and restaurants, old and new. 

Relax and ease the stresses of the world at East Day Spa in the heart of the city. As part of SKYCITY, there’s food packages to enjoy or visit for all your beauty and relaxation needs. East Day Spa is the go-to spa for local and visiting celebs is one of Auckland’s best spas with everything you need. 

Clean and green, Ecostore is all about making sure your home, body and baby are super-healthy and safe AND their products are good for the environment.  There's no nasty chemicals so you can use them with without worry. We've all seen them in shops around the country but their flagship store in Freemans Bay is worth visiting to get an idea of their full range - and to check out other environmentally friendly brands.