US gym giant Planet Fitness to open next to hip health spa City Cave at Arndale Shopping Centre

A revamped southside shopping centre is growing its reputation as a hip wellness hub with one of the world’s largest no-frills gyms to open next to a ritzy wellness spa.

Springwood has it all … Planet Fitness’s no-frills gym, left, and luxe at Cave City.

A revamped southside shopping centre is growing its reputation as a hip wellness hub with one of the world’s largest no-frills gyms set to open next to a ritzy wellness spa.

Springwood’s Arndale Centre aims to boost its image as a retail and health hub when US gym giant Planet Fitness opens in November.

The health chain, which rose to fame in the US offering a no-frills atmosphere and free pizza, will be in walking distance to the plush City Cave wellness spa, which opened last week.

Watch TV while doing a 30-minute speed workout at this no-frills gym which will open in Springwood before Christmas.

Although the two businesses are pitched at different ends of the market, both will attract the fitness dollar to the Arndale Centre, which underwent a $20 million refurbishment in March.

Bravo Fit, which owns Planet Fitness in Australia, signed a 10-year lease for an 1800 sqm tenancy at the Springwood centre, which included a multimillion-dollar investment with Arndale’s owners, Consolidated Properties Group and CVS Lane Capital Partners.

Gym members will have access to 200 pieces of equipment along with the chain’s famous 30-minute express full-body circuit which they can complete while watching TV.

Locker rooms and showers, hydromassage beds, massage chairs, spray tanning and red light therapy will also be available.

Go to the gym and then relax in a flotation tank also at Arndale centre.

After a strenuous gym session, stretched muscles can be soothed in a flotation tank at City Cave’s “urban retreat”, which also has infra-red saunas and remedial massage.

City Cave has 13 centres across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sydney, and signed a 10-year lease for its 250 sqm Arndale site.

Bravo Fit managing director Tanner Halton said Planet Fitness’s difference was offering bargain-basement membership for $5 a week but still offering a high-quality experience in a “Judgement Free Zone”

“The response from our Morayfield and Rothwell communities have bolstered our confidence that Planet Fitness has a bright future in Australia.”

Arndale’s owner and manager, Consolidated Properties Group and CVS Lane Capital, said

the shopping centre was poised to become the southside’s major health and wellness hub.

The new-look Arndale Centre at Springwood.

Consolidated Properties Group executive director of retail Craig O’Donnell said both City Cave and Planet Fitness would complement existing health, wellness and beauty retailers.

“We have a hairdresser, barber, nail salon, medical centre, pharmacy and skin care centre, City Cave is a welcome addition,” Mr O’Donnell said.

“The role of the neighbourhood shopping centre is becoming increasingly diverse.

“It’s not just a place to do groceries and fill a prescription, people are increasingly wanting recreation and lifestyle services as part of the offering.

“The recent rejuvenation of the centre, which included a comprehensive structural and cosmetic upgrade, has attracted a range of quality new tenants, to improve the shopping experience for customers.”

The Arndale gym will be open and staffed 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday and between 7am and 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The Arndale centre is pushing its weight into the fitness and wellbeing market.

Consolidated Properties Group and CVS Lane Capital Partners purchased Arndale Shopping Centre in October 2019.

City Cave’s Damian Coppolecchia said Springwood would be a convenient spot for members to unwind.

The outlet will offer a monthly membership program which allows customers to access services at any of the 13 locations.

Mr Coppolecchia said people were after a combination of wellness services in the one place, which is easily accessible.

“Arndale Shopping Centre is an ideal spot for City Cave – our members can enjoy a bit of pampering after they shop and we welcome walk-ins.”