This Opinion article is part of a Narcity Media series. The views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
Sweat and Tonic just opened in Toronto's The Well and it's a gym every fitness lover needs to try at least once because I've never seen anything like it in the city before.
The boutique fitness and wellness club in The Well is the second location. And it's 3.1 million-square-foot of fitness rooms, changing rooms, a juice bar, working spaces, and more.
I got invited to check out the new space and took my first-ever Sweat and Tonic class, and I have a lot to share about the experience.
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The first Sweat and Tonic opened in 2019 and it's located on Yonge and Shuter Street. The space hosted over 520,000 workout classes in the HIIT, Ride, Yoga and Pilates categories. The new location on King and Spadina is bigger and hosts more people per class, some up to 70 members.
I had a taste of the experience myself and here's a first look.
Sweat and Tonic First Impression
Sweat and Tonic entrance at The Well.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
Let's start with the entrance and what people can expect when they walk in.
The fitness club is located on the second level of The Well, close to Prince Street Pizza, which is hard to resist after an intense workout. But once you enter Sweat and Tonic, on the right, you'll find the reception and merchandise store with fitness clothes from Lululemon and other collaborators.
Tonic Bar. Right: Smoothies from Tonic Bar at Sweat and Tonic The Well.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity, Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
On the left is a Tonic Bar, which is open to the public, and anyone can grab a smoothie, soup, coffee or snacks like toast and sandwiches.
The Tonic Bar also has tables and Wi-Fi and is a great place to work or catch up with friends.
Walkway to the workout classes in Sweat and Tonic.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
If you're taking a class, you will walk through a tunnel that is so beautiful you'll definitely be stopped for a photo op. The tunnel is filled with mirrors and lights that make everyone feel the pre-workout glow.
Women's washroom at Sweat and Tonic.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
The women's changing room is every girl's dream. With low light around the mirrors, Dyson hair dryers at every station, tampons, lotion and more.
The showers have a marble finish and a rain shower, which is the perfect place to be after a sweaty workout.
Sweat and Tonic's Workout Studios
There are three workout rooms: the Ride, HIIT and Yoga studios.
From the people I met, the yoga studio is where most people are eager to go, but for me, the more intensive workouts are my kind of vibe. That's not to say I don't love a beautiful and calming yoga studio, but I do love punching a boxing bag.
On Friday, I participated in a Triple Sweat workout, which meant I checked out all three studios and what they offer. Now, keep in mind, I am a workout junkie and classes are the only way I can feel good about myself. I've been to F45, Barry's Bootcamp, SpinCo, Ride and Fit Factory, but Sweat and Tonic was something else.
I love each of the other fitness studios for particular reasons, but Sweat and Tonic reminds me a lot about how I got into working out in the first place. I grew up in Dubai, and their workout culture is top-notch. For example, the spin studio at Sweat and Tonic looks similar to a place called Crank Dubai, and the HIIT looks like Platforms Studio.
Growing up, studios in Dubai looked similar to the ones at Sweat and Tonic, and I loved every moment of it. Yes, it might seem too bougie for some, but I strive for that kind of life.
Ride Studio
Ride Studio at Sweat and Tonic in The Well.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity, Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
The spin class at Sweat and Tonic felt like a mix between a club and a workout in the best possible way. The Ride Studio takes up to 78 people, and it's an unforgettable experience.
This studio is Canada's largest indoor cycling studio, with a massive immersive 266-inch projection screen and custom light shows synced with a theatre-quality sound system, which will transport any rider to a different universe.
Indoor cycling is difficult, but the Sweat and Tonic Ride Studio helps you stay motivated.
HIIT Studio
HIIT Studio at Sweat and Tonic in The Well.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity, Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
I then attended a HIIT class, which has a 60-person capacity. The room has treadmills, weights, and a boxing floor. Each attendee moves from one station to another, working on different muscles and having a full-rounded workout.
In a class as big as this one, the custom lighting and raised 360-degree instructor platform help keep the workout going. You can still hear your instructions, and the teacher can keep an eye out for all participants. The studio is designed for strength training and conditioning classes, which include Booty HIIT, Box HIIT, and LiftHIIT.
Yoga Studio
Yoga Studio at Sweat and Tonic in The Well.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity, Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
And now for a lot of people's haven. The yoga studio is massive, and it has unmatched energy. With large windows letting in natural light and an interior that feels unreal, the studio is beautiful.
The infrared-heated room is Canada's first immersive yoga studio, with a 445-inch projection screen and light and sound systems that create a magical audio and visual experience.
People can expect to experience classes that range from Vinyasa yoga to pilates and hot HIIT. But, members can also focus on more calming and well-being-based classes like candlelit meditation, sound bowl and reiki.
Even though I am not flexible and struggled a bit to do some Yoga moves, I left feeling calm and relaxed, which is exactly why I'd go back.
Final Thoughts
Mira doing a yoga pose during class.Mira Nabulsi | Narcity
The fitness and wellness club expects to open a spa in February 2024, where members will be able to enjoy a patio, pool deck, cold shower plunges, hydrotherapy, traditional and infrared heat saunas, massages, and so much more — I'm really excited to see that.
Also, for particular memberships, you can enjoy a back room called Tonic House, a co-working space by day and a lounge or event space by night. The space takes up to 100 people, and there are private bookable rooms, an all-season patio, and a full-service cocktail bar with healthy bites and delicious espresso martinis.
Sweat and Tonic membership start at $180, and drop-in classes are $32 per workout. And so, I'll leave you with this, if you're into fitness and looking for something new, Sweat and Tonic has everything you can possibly imagine all in one space, you'll never want to leave, so check it out and hopefully you're just as impressed as I am.
Toronto's Swanky New Sweat & Tonic Gym Opened In The Well & Here's A First Look (PHOTOS)
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