So there’s a few ways this stay-at-home business can go. One is that we all eat too much and lay on the floor thinking about all the things we should be doing instead.

The other is that we stay inside but also make inside our new world, bar crawls are now rooms-of-your-house crawls, Friday drinks are FaceTime drinks and exercise will also likely be an inside job.

Which is why we’re all here today. To discuss Gold Coast exercise-based businesses who have taken things online so that we may all stay fit while we have to stay inside.

VIP Lockdown Machine Squad
Run by local legends Machine Life, the online squad is $25 p/w with live daily workouts that can be accessed anytime on your phone or computer, using just your body weight, tips and tricks from the trainers (Jesse and Alyse) and an online community to support you through this time. Trainers help with technique, nutritional guidelines, motivation and accountability so that there’s no slacking off plus you get healthy recipes, live chats, team challenges and tailored workouts for all fitness levels. Join here.

Pilates by Lisa
One Gold Coast gal who has been doing the online thing for quite some time is Lisa, of Pilates by Lisa. Who is offering online pilates classes for all levels of fitness that you can (and should) absolutely get involved in from the comfort of your home with a FREE 10 day trial! Find them here.

Ritual Yoga and Pilates
The ladies at Palmy’s Ritual Yoga & Pilates are in the process of creating an online hub for yoga and pilates classes. They also offer pilates barre classes so you can get that booty all peachy for when we’re allowed outside again. Stay up to date with their progress here.

Currumbin Academy of Performing Arts
Here’s one for the kiddies – CAPA have taken their dances classes online so that’s one way for the little ones to burn some energy. Not to mention they’ll have fun and possibly learn a new skill while they’re at it. Check it out here.

Emily Skye Fitness
No doubt you’ve heard of Emily Skye, she’s been online for a long time now but she offers quite the array of workouts to keep you fit and fabulous. She’s a personal trainer so there’s lots of strength-based workouts, weights and body-weight based exercise. Plenty of variety. Find out more here.

Fluidform Pilates
Full body strength and conditioning is the name of the game at Fluidform Pilates with classes created to have a meaningful and positive impact. Of course, there are all manner of pilates classes on offer and creator Kirsten King is a former Gold Coaster. Get involved here.

We’ll keep updating as we find out about more business moving online but in the meantime, keep moving and take care of yourselves.

Words and photos by Kirra Smith

Summer is almost over and it’s safe to say that we have spent way too much time in the sun (as usual). Which means our skin has taken a bit of a battering and it’s time to give it some love.

In honour of that, we’ve found six of the best natural treatments from around the Gold Coast to help you get your glow after all that summer salt, sand and sunshine.

An Earth and Skin Experience
Ideal for newcomers to organic skincare, the Earth and Skin Experience consists of a Mini Earth Massage to ease the (no doubt ever-present) tension in your back, neck and shoulders followed by a customised Refresh Facial using organic skincare and a Jade stone facial massage. If you’re an old hand at the organic skincare thing, there are MANY incredible treatments available, including some for the fellas.
Where: Earth and Skin, 2 Regency Place, Mudgeeraba

Acupuncture at Nüwa Natural Health
A traditionally eastern medicine treatment, acupuncture has taken the western world by storm. It works by balancing the energy systems within the body, enhancing relaxation and increasing energy. The name Nüwa is derived from the goddess of ancient Chinese Mythology best known for creating mankind and repairing the pillars of heaven. Put simply, it’s a necessary personal investment.
Where: Nüwa Natural Health, 4/784 Pacific Parade, Currumbin

Manicure and Pedicure at ERVA
Is there anything more relaxing than a manicure slash pedicure complete with a luxe massage and the prettiest nails at the end? We think not. At ERVA you can expect exactly that without the use of toxic products and with the addition of experiencing one of the most beautiful, love-infused treatments of your life. The team at ERVA are the best there is and no matter which treatment you choose, you’ll walk out feeling like you’re floating on a cloud.
Where: ERVA Nail Spa, 3 Park Avenue, Burleigh Heads

Organic Infusion at endota spa
endota is an oldie but a goodie with several locations across the Coast. They have a few standout treatments but the Organic Infusion is their signature facial created to relax and rejuvenate. Using certified organic skincare, containing powerful botanicals and antioxidants infused using jade rollers to give you a clear complexion and restore calm. Skin is nourished. Mind is nurtured. The end.
Where: endota spa, Shop 1, Oracle South 17 Elizabeth Ave, Broadbeach

A head spa treatment at éva organic hair and beauty salon
This beautiful little salon in Palm Beach is turning heads for all the right reasons. Using only natural, organic, cruelty free and vegan friendly products éva organic hear and beauty salon came about after owner Indre starting looking into the cause of reactions to common hair products. On top of your regular cut and colour try the Head Spa Treatment which includes the main reason everyone goes to the hairdresser, a heavenly head massage.
Where: éva organic, Suite 2 / 1154 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach

Reiki at Earth Energy Medicine
You may not have heard of this one but Reiki is becoming popular amongst those willing to try something a little bit different. The ancient Japanese technique is used for stress reduction and relaxation while healing the body on all levels; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. It’s known as the art of gentle hands on healing and it’s actually quite an interesting experience if you keep an open mind. Give it a try, you only live once right?
Where: Earth Energy Medicine, 7 Correa Court, Elanora

Words by Kirra Smith

Life inevitably takes its toll – you don’t have to tell us twice. Whether you’re juggling work, children, or a questionable affection for rosé (guilty), your body and mind are going to feel the effects. Enter: the ultimate fix, the humble soak session. Okay, it may not solve ALLLLL of your problems, but we promise it’s a good start.

In order to achieve an upgraded level of vitality and mindfulness, you needn’t go it alone. You’ll require some assistance, and this is where soak and float centres come in. These are the kind of spaces where tranquil surroundings and expert insight go hand in hand to pull you from that long road to ruin: a five-minute break with a strong cup of tea just isn’t going to cut it these days.

We took it upon ourselves to do some research, and lucky for us, the Gold Coast has a sizeable selection of such places where you can unwind, soak and nourish yourself back to previous glory. Here are our top 8 picks to recuperate and rejuvenate when rosé life has gotten the better of you.

Soak Bathhouse
Conveniently located in Mermaid Beach, Soak Bathhouse is the comprehensive answer to looking after yourself with a holistic approach. By their own ethos — it’s time to start feeling great again — they invite you to experience opulent mineral spa baths and steam rooms. If you’re feeling brave, take a dip in the cold plunge that sits at a very fresh 10 degrees to get the blood pumping. But it’s so much more than just a spot for a soak, if you’re after the full wellness experience why not add on an infared sauna, LED facial or massage? Because health is wealth. If soaking up the vibes with a beverage in hand is more your vibe then the Soak and Sip is a must-do, we’re partial to their Wine Not Wine Pouches because rosé all day! And if you feel the need to hit the emails between sauna and plunge pool circuits, they have a gorgeous co-working space to nut out some work.
Where: 2532 – 2540 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Greenhouse The Bathhouse
The Bathhouse team were behind one of the original venues to open allowing you to soak your weary body and relax in a serene setting. Now nestled in Tallebudgera Valley – the ultimate destination for relaxation if you ask us – Greenhouse The Bathhouse has everything you need to switch off and kick back for a few hours. Soak up a 90-minute session in their magnesium spas and then soak up some rays (using protection of course) on the sun terrace and garden lounges. An ode to traditional bathhouses and sweat lodges, they offer intuitive massages on demand and have even got a beautiful restaurant and botanical bar onsite so you can refresh and rehydrate.
Where: 286 Tallebudgera Creek Road, Tallebudgera Valley

City Cave Float & Wellness Centre
Seeking the ultimate relaxation with added health benefits? Yep us too. City Cave Float and Wellness Centres have six convenient locations across the Gold Coast and specialise in float therapy, remedial, sports, pregnancy and relaxation massages while also offering Infrared Sauna facilities. It’s about time you look after your mind, body and gut at City Cave with their holistic services.
Where: Markeri St, Mermaid Waters, 76-84 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina, 3/201 Ferry Road, Southport, Helensvale Plaza Shopping Centre, 12 Sir John Overall Dr, Helensvale, 340 Hope Island Rd, Hope Island or Shop 2, Coomera Square, Coomera

The Bathhouse at Ground
As if you needed another reason to take a sojourn out into peaceful Currumbin Valley, you can certainly add this new decadent bathhouse to the list. Set within the tranquil grounds of the Currumbin Eco Village, book yourself an hour here and simply let life’s stresses fade away. Spend your 60 minutes of luxury jumping from giant hydrotherapy spa pools to a genuine Finnish sauna before sinking into a refreshing pool packed with salty goodness all under the canopy of their gorgeous fig tree If this isn’t enough for you, be sure to book a massage or other heavenly treatment which take place in their adjoining fairy-tale-looking century-old Queenslander.
Where: 2 Village Way, Currumbin Valley

Native State
Another goodie for the southern Gold Coasters, Native State is where luxury, wellbeing and peak performance coexist in perfect harmony – sounds pretty inviting if you ask us. The marriage of gym, movement classes like yin and vinyasa yoga if you want to get it om, and of course the bathhouse is pretty much everything you need in one spot. Native State offers both casual sessions as well as full studio memberships if you can’t enough of the holistic health haven.
Where: 3/2 Creek Street, Coolangatta

Floating Away
Float therapy sounds exactly like our kind of therapy, Floating Away is the ultimate spot to do just that in your own float tank and leave the weight of the day behind. It’s that time of year when we’re pretty much crawling to the finish line, so a session of sensory deprivation to escape the outside and immerse yourself in a deep state of relaxation sounds like just what the doctor ordered. Or why not sweat it out before you soak it up in their infrared sauna? Guaranteed to leave you feeling rejuvenated. Because we’re all about that journey to self discovery we were totally intrigued by their Yoni Steaming offering. An ancient practice of vaginal steaming and yes, you read that right – a steamer for your nether region – the Kardashian-approved treatment helps to promote circulation and hormonal balance. It’s basically a facial for down there. Because every part of you deserves self-care.
Where: The Oasis Shopping Centre, Level 1/75 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

Organic Aum
Possibly one of the Gold Coast’s best-kept secrets, Organic Aum, a Japanese fusion day spa, is a hinterland haven nestled in Lower Beechmont. With natural rainwater used to fill the spas before being topped with magnesium, the open-air wooden hot spas are the ultimate place to beat muscle fatigue or wind down for some stress relief. Now when you visit our beautiful hinterland it makes sense to make a day of it. If you’re going solo our pick is one of their indulgent facials or if you’re planning on making a date of it their massage rooms are perfect for two. If you’ve been trying to find a way to relax and recentre we’re big fans of a sound healing session (if you haven’t tried it, you need to) and Organic Aum introduces the Singing Ring – a new instrument invented in Japan – that uses crystal-infused metal to cleanse, recharge and refresh your energy. Sign us up.
Where: 113 North Road, Lower Beechmont

The Banya
Ok, so it’s not technically on the Gold Coast, but like Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman, we’re happy to claim it! Set in the heart of the ‘biggest little town in Australia’, The Banya is a total #mood. Indulge in allll the offerings, from lap pools to hot mineral pools, a wood-fired sauna, steam room, and a refreshing cold plunge hugged by lush foliage and cobblestone pathing. With 5 massage treatment rooms and a rooftop sundeck, relaxation awaits. Post-soak, savour a leisurely lunch or drinks at the on point on-site bar and dining. Explore small share plates, nutritious options, and a selection of wine, cocktails, and health elixirs – perfect complements to elevate your relaxation experience. Namaste!
Where: 35-37 Burringbar Street, Mullumbimby

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.