by One Playground
A Look Back On 2024
As we step into 2025, it’s time to celebrate a year filled with milestones, growth and unforgettable moments. From lifting and stretching to flowing and flexing, we’ve moved like never before.
2024 has been a defining year for One Playground. This year has set the stage for what’s to come, with the announcement of two brand-new gyms in Haymarket and Merrylands and the unveiling of our new destination for wellness, the Urban Oasis. These milestones reflect our vision for the future and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
But before we look forward, let’s take a moment to reflect on the celebrations and achievements of the past 12 months. None of this would have been possible without our incredible members. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported One Playground, whether you’re a new member this year or have been with us from day one, now more than 10 years ago!
We Celebrated Our Tenth Birthday!
June 5th 2024 marked 10 years since we opened our first location at 429 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills. The space you see today is a far cry from what it was back then. The building was…not glamorous… but we saw potential.
We had created “Fitness Playground”, and our mission was to change the gym environment and experience. We were tired of traditional gyms and envisioned a place where members felt inspired to show up to, where community replaced intimidation and where fun and variety overcame boredom.
Thankfully, our simple idea worked.
In 2023, Fitness Playground underwent a significant transformation: we rebranded ourselves as One Playground and began to move beyond fitness and into all things wellness. Our business has evolved a lot over the last 10 years, but this mission remains the same. Designing spaces and experiences that people love is more than a job or a business, it is our craft and our passion.
As we look ahead to the next decade, we’re excited to continue this journey. The best is yet to come, and we can’t wait to share it with you!
Two Brand New Spaces Opened
Newtown Reformer
The first of our new facilities saw us take over the ground floor of the King Street building home to our Newtown Gym. What was once a framing shop is now a stunning reformer studio, offering over 200 classes a week.
As anyone who’s tried to book a 6am class will know, Reformer continues to be one of our most popular class modalities. With wellness proving just as important to our members as fitness, this new space has quickly become a home away from home, a space to strengthen and tone, stretch and recover.
Over 7,000 hand-installed mirrors adorn the ceilings, illuminated by colourful dynamic lighting. It is a space that truly inspires and excites!
If you haven’t taken a class in Newtown Reformer yet, we highly recommend booking your spot.
Urban Oasis
Announced on our birthday and opened on Saturday 14th of December, a wellness haven nestled in the heart of Surry Hills has arrived. The Urban Oasis is ready to help members prioritise their wellbeing and recovery in the new year.
It is a space where wellness favourites can be found; Reformer Pilates, Mat Pilates and Yoga are sprinkled across the timetable. But in One Playground fashion, we have gone even further beyond this:
- The Urban Oasis brings the launch of Semi-Private Reformer Pilates, a type of training that blends the personalisation of 1-1 and the accessibility of group training.
- Breathwork and Meditation have permanent slots on the schedule, helping members to reconnect mind and body.
- Complete a class or workout by spending time in a traditional or infrared sauna, free to use with a Play membership, no booking required.
Wellness is no longer a second thought to members. They are reclaiming their time and ensuring they counterbalance their fast-paced and stressful daily routines with a deliberate focus on self-care and balance.
Come and pay us a visit at 41 Holt Street!
We Announced Two More Locations
The Flagship at Haymarket
The future of fitness is coming. One Playground Haymarket, our first entirely new facility since 2014, is set to open in Summer 2025.
This grand space features a stunning brass, winding staircase, marble flooring, and state-of-the-art equipment complemented by cutting-edge technology.
At Haymarket, we’re revolutionising Group Training, introducing five brand-new concepts:
- Reformer: A sophisticated and stylish space, catering to both dedicated fitness enthusiasts and those who value staying up-to-date with current workout trends.
- Motion: This unique studio blends the expressiveness of dance, the flowing nature of yoga and the core strength of Pilates, creating a dynamic and engaging workout experience.
- Force: Discover a vibrant space where unity fuels transformation. This dedicated space is designed for progressive group training and circuit training. Experience science-backed programming that guides you through incremental improvements in both strength and conditioning.
- Surge: Enter a technosphere designed for an immersive indoor cycling experience, where advanced sound systems and lighting create an exhilarating experience. Home to both rhythm-based and data-driven rides.
- Pulse: Let the music lead you as your pulse becomes the driving force behind your fitness journey. Each member enjoys their own bench and pre-set equipment, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
Our coaches are ready to help members take on a new challenge, helping them to look, feel and perform better in 2025.
Haymarket will also feature free saunas for members, offering the perfect way to recover and relax after a workout.
Interested in joining Haymarket? Click here to start your journey into the future.
The Mirage at Merrylands
While Haymarket offers innovation in the city, The Mirage at Merrylands brings a luxurious health and wellness experience to Western Sydney, designed to offer a premium health and wellness experience, bringing the luxurious feel of a high-end hotel to Western Sydney. We wanted to bring a wellness and fitness service to communities beyond the city and beach suburbs, providing top-tier facilities that meet the evolving needs of the community, making premium health and wellness accessible to more people.
Spanning two levels and covering 3000 sqm, The Mirage is One Playground’s largest and most comprehensive facility to date. It offers members everything they need under one roof, with a single membership giving you access to five distinct group training studios, two semi-private studios, private recovery suites, saunas and a 1,500 sqm weights and cardio area.
The area has a personal connection for CEO Justin Ashley and his wife Victoria Ashley have deep connections to Merrylands and Western Sydney. Victoria attended school in Merrylands, and Justin himself spent his formative years in the region. This personal connection has given them a profound understanding of the community’s needs and the desire to contribute positively to its development.
We can’t wait to unveil The Mirage in Summer 2024.
One Run Was Born
2024 is the year of the run club. After lockdowns cut us off from the world, we’re now pouring outside, craving community and the real world.
With community at the heart of what we do, starting One Run was an easy decision to make. Since May, every Wednesday Darling Habour has been taken over by One Playground’s runners, closely followed by our second location in Marrickville on Saturdays.
To make the experience even more exciting, we’ve partnered with New Balance for special events, exclusive goodies, and prizes because what’s better motivation for a run than a fresh pair of trainers?
Beginner or seasoned runner, member or non, all are welcome to join us for a gentle jog. Learn more here.
And We Had Fun Along The Way!
Throughout 2024, we infused fun and camaraderie into our journey with a series of memorable events that brought our community closer together.
Mardi Pardi
In March, we celebrated Mardi Gras with our annual Mardi Pardi, a month-long festivity filled with vibrant colours, energetic DJs and dazzling drag queens. The gym was transformed into a carnival of inclusivity and joy! Not too long to wait until the Pardi kicks off again in 2025.
Picnic & Pilates
Embracing the great outdoors, we hosted our first-ever Picnic & Pilates event. Members gathered in a picturesque park setting to engage in revitalising Pilates sessions amidst nature, followed by a delightful picnic. It was a glorious day that strengthened our bodies and the bonds within our community.
Breath & Ice
Despite the chilly weather, our Breath & Ice event saw impressive attendance. Members braved the cold to engage in invigorating breathwork and ice bath sessions. Some serious resilience and commitment to personal growth all around. The fresh, brisk air only added to the exhilarating experience.
Lift Your Mood
In October, we hosted Lift Your Mood, a charity event aimed at raising funds for the Black Dog Institute. Members donned retro ’80s aerobics attire, participated in an Athletica-style class led by enthusiastic instructors, and enjoyed live DJ music. It was a vibrant celebration of fitness and giving back, a dynamic blend of sweat, smiles, and social good!
Last Up: A Laugh
We’ll wrap things up with another chance to watch The Bunker coaches getting humbled by a reformer bed. You’re welcome.
See you in 2025 – bigger, better, bolder.
Happy New Year!
