Join the club
IHF Health Club is a premium health, wellbeing, and fitness offering in the central city. Avenues’ Sophie Petersen shares her experience.
Amongst the buzz of The Crossing, IHF Health Club feels less like a gym and more like a beautifully designed exhale. From the moment I arrived, the experience felt calm and considered. The staff at the front desk were warm, welcoming, and genuinely enthusiastic, immediately setting the tone for the day ahead. Before I even set foot on a treadmill, I was given a full tour of the facilities, which impressively felt both luxurious and completely approachable.
I started the morning with a Grounded Yoga class in one of the most beautiful studios I’ve seen in Ōtautahi. Warm, softly lit, and blissfully quiet, the space immediately slowed my nervous system down about three gears. The class itself was restorative in the truest sense of the word. No frantic flows or pressure to twist into unmanageable contortions. Just slow, intentional movement, deep stretches, and breathing that makes you realise you’ve been carrying your shoulders somewhere near your ears for most of the week. The instructor was calm, encouraging, and wonderfully intuitive, creating a class that felt equally welcoming whether you were a seasoned yogi or simply there to decompress.
From there, I made my way across to the cardio area, where pockets of treadmills and step climbers overlook the constant movement of Cashel Street Mall below. There’s something quite motivating about exercising while watching the city hum along beneath you. The space is flooded with natural light and softened with leafy greenery throughout, making it feel far removed from the intimidating, fluorescent-lit gyms many of us are used to.
Next, I ventured to the gym floor. What stood out immediately was how spacious everything felt. There was room to move, room to breathe, and no overwhelming “gym bro” energy that can make traditional fitness spaces feel daunting. Members smiled at one another, staff checked in regularly, and the atmosphere felt inclusive without being exclusive. With personal trainers, health coaches, osteopaths, massage therapists, nutritionists, and physiotherapists available, no part of the IHF experience has gone unconsidered.
After working up a sweat, I headed to the changing rooms, which really deserve their own review. Armed with a fresh towel and a plush robe, I made my way toward the recovery area to finish with a sauna session followed by a cold plunge. The facilities are immaculately clean and beautifully designed, right down to the multiple shower settings and the luxurious Ashley and Co products lining the bathrooms and showers. Premium members even have access to dry-cleaning services and an impressive collection of Dyson and GHD hair tools, which proved particularly useful given I had meetings that afternoon and needed to emerge looking slightly more polished than “woman who willingly submerged herself in freezing water.”
Before leaving, I stopped by the Macro Lounge for a complimentary coffee and something to eat while answering a few emails. It felt like spending time in a thoughtfully designed members’ club. My parking was validated on the way out, and I wandered back to my car feeling refreshed and relaxed.
The phrase “accessible luxury” is often thrown around, but IHF Health Club genuinely delivers on it. Beautiful facilities, thoughtful details, safe lockers, welcoming staff, and an experience that feels polished, peaceful, and empowering – value for money. Perfect for anyone looking to elevate their wellness routine.