From work spaces to working out

After bringing the concept of co-working spaces to 56 cities in 16 countries, WeWork now touts a unique gym and wellness facility, writes Katherine Rosman

The co-ed Roman bath at Rise.

The yoga studio at Rise.

To that end, Rise, many floors beneath 85 Broad’s WeWork floors, has a turf-covered area with CrossFit-like equipment, a large boxing studio that is heavy with heavy-bags and a cardio room for boot-camp workouts.

To extend into WeWork’s overall emphasis on communal habitats, both the male and female locker rooms at Rise lead to a large Jerusalem-stone-tiled area with a co-ed hot tub and sauna, run by an attendant named Jonathan who gently reminds people taking calls in the sauna that smartphones can melt. “It’s a process of educating people,” he said.

As part of an introductory offer, the cost of joining Rise is US$180 (RM762) per month, although the cost of Rise will rise to US$250 per month later in the fall. (Membership entitles those who are not WeWork members to use certain WeWork facilities at designated times.) You can also pop in for four visits a month for US$100.

Kaveh Akbari, 25, is the vice-president for marketing and strategic partnerships for MBK Sports Management Group and works out of WeWork’s 85 Broad location.

He joined Rise recently when it offered early membership. Akbari uses the gym about five times a week, and he likes the efficiency of commuting by elevator. He also loves the co-ed spa.

He likes how the yoga classes connect his spiritual wellness to his career ambitions. In a recent class he attended, an instructor told the yogis that he sees them as they see their own clients. Here, we are all people with problems who need someone to offer them solutions. “I’m doing the same thing,” the yoga teacher said. The reception area at Rise, a wellness centre opened by WeWork, the shared work space company.