TotalFusion Newstead, Australia’s biggest, most luxurious gym, wellness centre, opens

Brisbane is now home to Australia’s biggest, most luxurious gym complete with snow room, hyperbaric chamber, float tanks and a rooftop pool. VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY

Imagine jumping on a swing in a snow-filled room or sipping a cocktail after a workout or a sweat session in an infra-red sauna.

All that and more is on offer from Wednesday, November 1, at what is being billed as the biggest and most lavishly-appointed gym and wellness centre in the southern hemisphere.

TotalFusion Newstead in inner-Brisbane, the latest health outlet by local father-son business duo Leon and Ben McNeice, is about to blow the competition out of the water.

Ben McNeice and his father Leon partnered on the project. Picture, John Gass

Leon McNeice said the facility, next to the Gasworks retail precinct, set a new benchmark for Australia.

It included basement parking for 350 people. At the other end, there was a rooftop magnesium pool with a bar serving cocktails made with herbs from the organic garden — which by the way was home to 150,000 bees and a couple of chooks thrown in for good measure.

No others like it: TotalFusion Newstead photo gallery

VIEW GALLERY

As well as two levels of the usual gym equipment, there was also the only medical-grade hyperbaric recovery chamber in an Australian gym.

Other eye-popping features were a snow room with a swing, a salt room where the air was infused with Himalayan rock salt, a traditional sauna plus seven infra-red saunas, eight hot/cold plunge pools next to the lap pool, a doggie daycare, childcare facility, Ninja course and rock climbing wall.

The new TotalFusion gymopening at Newstead.

Just $50 per week gets you through the door. Prices went up from there depending on what services customers wanted, with the option for a platinum membership.

Mr McNeice said they expected 5000 people initially to sign up, despite Newstead having the highest concentration of gyms of any suburb in Queensland.

Chef Neven Vanderzee and food and beverage manager Corryn Rattray with some of the food and one of the chickens from the edible garden. Picture: John Gass

But the vast 9100 sqm, beautifully-finished centre, which also featured a “hall of commitment’’, fireplace, outdoor garden piazza and lavish bathrooms and lockers, was built with a capacity for even more members.

“It’s definitely the most luxurious in Australia, by far. Even compared to other locations around the world we know of there are very few at this size and with this level of architectural design,’’ he said.

“Acme architects, who have worked on a number of hospitality venues with (interstate pub tsar) Justin Hemmes, came up with the design.’’

TotalFusion earlier this year opened a huge gym, health and wellness centre in Morningside and another was in the approval stage at Graceville.

It also had traditional gyms at Chermside and Mt Gravatt.

But Newstead was Leon and Ben McNeice’s first big project together.

Even the bathrooms are gold star.

Ben McNeice said that for a number of years it was a true family affair, with his mum Michelle — who has a yoga, pilates and group fitness background — also involved.

“I’ve worked on and off with Leon since high school, but also had other roles,’’ he said.

“I’ve certainly learned a lot from him, particularly the importance of surrounding yourself with the best team possible.’’

Leon and Ben McNeice at the rooftop magnesium pool. Picture: John Gass

The Newstead facility was the culmination of about three decades in the industry for Leon McNeice, who over the years has owned several health clubs and was the first in Brisbane to install airconditioning in a gym.

He went on to found the Goodlife chain. After selling that he was involved with Snap Fitness in Australia and New Zealand before beginning TotalFusion.

Ben McNeice said they had deliberately decided to go in the opposite direction to many other gyms, which had gone down the road of fewer staff and 24-hour access.

“The idea also is to develop holistic wellness centres where people can get all their health needs in the one location,’’ he said.

“We’ve lived in Brisbane for decades and know the market well.’’

The new centre would employ 150 staff, from fitness instructors to chefs and medical practitioners.