The health club rarely stands still with new facilities for regeneration and renewal, a co-working lounge and plans for a Hyrox training area
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Muscles can be trained by progressively overloading them.
In response to the greater weight or number of reps, the body is prompted to respond – growing in size, strength and capability.
It’s an apt analogy for Third Space’s approach to its offering.
The last time I sat down with David Burrow, senior general manager at Third Space Canary Wharf, Europe’s largest luxury health club, was about to embark on a major renewal project.
Changing rooms were refitted, showers replaced, saunas and steam rooms upgraded, lighting boosted and tweaked, flooring improved and training areas refreshed with new equipment including weights and cardiovascular fitness machines.
But seemingly the Canada Square club has barely taken a rest before plunging into its latest round of upgrades.
It’s a case of going straight into the next set.
“We’ve converted the space at the front of the club, which used to be The Pearson Room, into a beautiful Reformer Pilates studio,” said David, who is in his ninth year managing the club.
“It overlooks the wonderful grass square through floor-to-ceiling glazing, which really adds something to the class experience – it’s a design feature.”
responding to members’ needs
The conversion is in response to demand.
Reformer Pilates, which makes use of spring-loaded beds to resist or support an individual’s movement, is booming right now, with businesses popping up across the capital.
The latest studio doubles the club’s provision at its main Canary Wharf site – both spaces a response to the demand seen since launch at its nearby Wood Wharf branch.
“We knew it was going to be popular, but the demand is incredible,” said David.
“We run classes every hour, on the hour in all three of our studios and we’re also expanding our programme throughout our other clubs beyond the Wharf because it’s what our members want.
“There’s a waiting list for almost every session.
“What’s been key for us is having the right quality of instructor.
“As a piece of apparatus, Reformers are pretty standard but having someone with the right level of experience is what keeps people coming back.
“The success of Reformer Pilates at Third Space has been driven by our instructors and they are absolutely sensational.
“They are all different and deliver their own style of training but at a level of quality our members expect.
“We provide high end Reformers, but it’s the teaching that’s incredible and helps members be the best version of themselves, while feeling they can really connect and progress.”
The square-facing studio isn’t the only addition to the front of the club.
Next door is a lounge space that’s also proving popular.
“In response to flexible working we’ve tried to create a place where people can find a happy medium between using a laptop and socialising,” said David.
“We’ve got soft-seating areas for people to relax and have conversations, and we’ve got a breakfast bar where people can work.
“It’s been another hugely popular addition and soon we will open a balcony area off it that people will be able to use too.”
stars of the Recovery Spa at Third Space
Perhaps the most substantial change in recent weeks at the venue has been the reopening of the venue’s spa, now with a very clear focus on recovery.
Open to both members and non-members alike, it’s a tranquil space away from the more intense areas of the club.
David said: “We’ve changed it from something more traditional into a Recovery Spa for regeneration and renewal.
“We do all the things you’d expect such as facials, aesthetic treatments, massage and acupuncture, but we’ve also added new features such as Cryotherapy, Red Light Therapy and a Vibroacoustic Bed.
“We test all of these things thoroughly before making the decision to include them in our offering.
“We’re always sceptical. I went to try the bed and it was a really fascinating sensory experience.
“In the middle of the afternoon I was wide awake, thinking there was no way it would make me fall asleep.
“But I got on it, switched it on and a minute later I was out.
“There was a tap on my shoulder 25 minutes later and I woke up.
“It’s a very clever tool and you can have different programs with different frequencies, depending on what your aim for the session is.
“The benefits of good sleep are so enormous and people are increasingly aware of that.
“You need rest and repair time to function properly and this bed helps people access that.
“Another thing that can help people in many different ways is our new Cryotherapy chamber that can take up to two people.
“They step into a space chilled to -85ºC and it shocks the body into simulating recovery with a euphoric feeling that’s incredible.
“It’s short – you can go in for three minutes and your skin temperature drops significantly.
“It can be challenging, but you come out feeling great.
“The demand for that and cold plunges is increasing everywhere and it’s a must if we’re going to provide an area where people can recover and regenerate more effectively.
“Wellness – feeling better and being better – is so important to people and I think that’s a good thing – the right direction of travel for our industry.”
Third Space is currently giving new members at Canary Wharf their £100 joining fee back as club credit to spend on its products and services such Natural Fitness Food, personal training, Recovery Spa treatments and more...
rocking Hyrox and more
Speaking of the future, these changes are far from the end of the story, with competitive exercise concept Hyrox inspiring the next move.
“We’ve got another project that will almost double the size of our free weights area, adding on a Hyrox studio – the first gym to have a space dedicated to the sport,” said David.
“Although the contests are about sport and the drive to achieve, there’s a huge communal element to it, so competitors are both doing better physically and feeling better because you have that community there.
“The process of change is non-stop and we’re constantly reviewing feedback from our members and data on what they use.
“Some people love the dynamism of a Yard WOD at peak time in Canary Wharf. Others prefer something more chilled.
“What we want is an offering that allows everybody to be the best version of themselves.”
key details: Third Space
Third Space membership for The Wharf including full access to its Canary Wharf and Wood Wharf clubs currently costs £230 per month.
Group membership including all sites excluding Mayfair costs £279 per month, with an all-club deal costing £305.
Members receive 25% off their Recovery Spa booking included with membership.
You do not need to be a Third Space member to use the spa with sessions
available to book online.
Find out more about the health club here
Read more: Lina Stores is set to open its doors in Canary Wharf
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