THE FUTURE OF WELLNESS
IHF has upped the ante when it comes to wellness in Christchurch. The newly opened health club in The Crossing has the best of everything: weights, coaching, cardio, classes, plunge pools, saunas, and a members’ lounge. Generously placed over 1200 square meters with a no expenses spared fit-out, owners Dan and Katrina Hood have single-handedly made it easier and more affordable for you to achieve your health and fitness goals, and it’s right in the centre of our city.
WORDS Joshua Brosnahan
Whether you get your release with an intense exercise routine or a calming meditation session, IHF can offer you the most premium experience in Ōtautahi. It’s the little extras that will make your day, like complimentary snacks, beverages, and towel service. There’s also free parking and no joining fees. This health club is an oasis escape and everyday luxury.
IHF Health Club has a lounge called Elements, which is accessible to all members. This is also a full service restaurant, with a full menus on offer. Food offerings are ready to eat or made to order, and you can refuel with a selection of wholesome snacks, meals, and beverages designed to satisfy most lifestyles.
All members enjoy 24/7 access to club facilities. This includes Elements, the members’ lounge, gym, group fitness and yoga classes, saunas, and plunge pools. The partnership with leading brand Life Fitness means the offerings here are premium, from the weights equipment and cardio machines to the new PRAMA group fitness classes and affordable health coaching. These classes target, strength and conditioning, mobility, cardio, stretching, and other areas. All the options you need, under one roof, in an exceptional environment.
Stuart Hay from Wilson and Hill Architects was tasked with the re-occupation and adaptation of the historic structure. He says that Dan and Katrina Hood’s “passion and drive to deliver this project for the city and focus on quality and providing a superior experience for their clients is second to none”.
“The final project is clear evidence of this drive.”
This allowed the distinctive 1930s building to have a new lease of life.
Three structures were united to produce a cohesive fit-out for IHF. Stuart notes the historical plasterwork and timber panelling as a key feature restoration. The modern, crisp approach to the renovation is interlaced with striking living walls from Oasis Greenery Systems – giving this space a real living, breathing atmosphere, somewhat fitting for a wellness hub.
Stuart remarks on the intimacy of the 1932 façade, highlighted in the windows and scale of the changing rooms. “The exposure to Cashel Mall is maximised through the large glazing on the original 2001 building, and the positioning of the cardio area overlooks the street.
With its large display windows, the volume of the newer build (from 2016) is maximised to the greatest effect in the PRAMA and Yoga studio.
Jina Andrews of Andrews Construction also mentions that this was somewhat of a challenging project and relied on the excellent organisation of his team when making changes to the building.
“When converting the old to new, there’s an extra level of attention to detail needed when working on the structural changes.”
The end results truly speak for themselves, and Dan mentions that it took many dedicated people to achieve what they have with the club.
“We are proud of the strong and supportive team that we have built here at IHF Health Club. There is something for everyone, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for us and our members.”
