Why social wellness clubs are the next networking hotspot

In the name of wellness, I step out of the cryo chamber, where I have just endured a bone-chilling three minutes at a staggering minus 87 degrees C. Almost immediately, as my body warms up, I feel a surge of endorphins and adrenaline. 

This unexpectedly mood-lifting session is more than just a fleeting thrill; it is, in fact, a growing trend in the wellness world. Proponents talk about its range of potential benefits, which include reducing inflammation, aiding muscle recovery, and boosting energy levels and mental clarity.

At Rekoop, the newest social wellness club on the block, cryotherapy has quickly become one of the most sought-after treatments.

A new way to network

Here, the concept of a “social” wellness club immediately comes to life. I find myself engaging in lively conversations with the friendly staff, fellow guests, and even Diana Kraemer, the co-founder and wellness director. We exchange animated stories about our cryotherapy experiences, turning what could have been a solitary experience into a shared adventure.

When I mention my surprise at how naturally I’m connecting with strangers, Kraemer smiles knowingly. She explains that fostering a sense of community is a cornerstone of Rekoop’s philosophy.

“The shared focus on health and wellness ensures that everyone is here for the same reason, fostering a sense of camaraderie. Treatments (like cryotherapy) that boost endorphins set a positive tone for meetings and socialising, making interactions more genuine and enjoyable,” says Kraemer.

Social wellness clubs are still a relatively new and niche concept in Singapore, with Trapeze Rec. Club possibly the only other establishment that blends well-being with the community here. However, such wellness hangouts have already gained significant traction in major cities worldwide.

For example, Remedy Place in New York and Los Angeles, Saint Haven in Australia and The Body Lab in London are pioneers in this sector.

Riding the wave of endorphins

In contrast to gyms and fitness studios, which focus on exercise or spas that provide more personal pampering and relaxation like facials and massages, wellness studios focus on holistic well-being by offering a range of wellbeing treatments like cryotherapy, ice plunge tubs, mild hyperbaric hydroxy therapy (or oxygen pods), as well as services like coaching, nutritional counselling, and even traditional therapies including acupuncture, reiki, and more.

Gabriella Franklin, co-founder of Neowell, which supplies AirPod oxygen therapy chambers to wellness spaces globally, including Remedy Place, Saint Haven, Rekoop, and Como Shambhala in Singapore, observes that this purposeful line-up of treatments and services helps create an immersive and relaxed environment.

“These wellness clubs represent the modern-day third place. Meaningful moments are shared, and genuine connections are made with like-minded people. When people are relaxed and rejuvenated, positivity exudes, becoming highly infectious to those around them,” she elaborates.

This alternative to traditional forms of socialising or networking is also a refreshing change to staid professional networking sessions or events where alcohol is used as a social lubricant. 

Grant Wee, founder of Trapeze Rec. Club and the upcoming concept Hideaway, which focuses on wellness and recovery, says, “The traditional way of networking might not be for everyone. The pressure of meeting new people in stiffer settings can be stressful. Oftentimes, it caters to the extrovert and can border on superficial when you feel like everyone has an agenda.”  

Wee adds, “People get comfortable quicker when they have shared interests outside of their professional lives, allowing them to connect on a deeper emotional level.”

Additionally, there is a growing demand for alcohol-free socialising options. Dr Jonathan Leary, founder of Remedy Place, believes social wellness clubs will continue to increase in popularity as more individuals choose to go alcohol-free.

“Life is stressful, loneliness is prevalent, and people need to connect, but most social experiences are filled with temptation and toxins. We need to fix the loneliness problem, and social wellness fills that gap of doing something sociable without booze,” he says.

Finding life-long friends

Indeed, since its launch three years ago, Trapeze Rec. Club has seen members form strong bonds and friendship groups. Wee shares an example: A group of members recently travelled to Malaysia to support a fellow member participating in a Muay Thai fight.

Another member, Sylvia McKaige, founder and chief executive officer of B2B content marketing agency Salween Group, also found her tribe at TRC. “When everyone’s goal is improving their well-being, it creates a common ground that makes interactions feel more genuine,” she says.

She was part of a group of members who recently vacationed together on Jeju Island in South Korea. Thanks to the training they received at the club, they did everything from cafe hopping and eating their way through local cuisine to hiking up the country’s tallest mountain, Mount Hallasan.

She quips. “Nothing bonds people faster than the shared agony of a tough workout. And the moral support during ice plunges helped break the ice — pun totally intended.”

This article was originally published in The Peak.