Taking a “proper break” is more important than ever, says Wello Works founder Tony de Leede
Awork-and-wellness concept hailing from Australia that combines popular therapies like HydroMassage and infrared saunas with the daily grind has become a reality with Wello Works, a new wellness coworking lounge that opened this month in Sandy Springs, a suburb of Atlanta.
While employers scramble to implement wellness initiatives for stressed-out employees who have come to expect health and wellness programs as part of their benefits package, Wello Works presents the ultimate solution: a chance to take a break for movement, recovery or relaxation while steps away from your desk.
The concept first launched in Rosebery, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, earlier this year.
Behind Wello Works is entrepreneur Tony de Leede, who has an impressive history in the fitness and wellness industry. Among his accomplishments, de Leede founded Fitness First Australia and launched YogaBar and Qmax Functional Training.
“The operative word is ‘Wello,’ which is a new word we have invented to mean a wellness break, and we talk about the evolution of the ‘smoko’ to a ‘wello,'” de Leede explained of his new concept. “In Australia, smoking breaks are referred to as smokos. We got some good traction from promoting the evolution of the smoko to the wello, as having a proper break is more important than ever.”
Wello Works consists of two spaces: Wello Coworking and Wello Collective. On the coworking end, Wello Works is now in phase one, offering lounge memberships and passes. Phase 2, which launches in June, will include desks, offices and “quiet coworking options.”
Workers can select from several membership options to access the coworking space (with a base price of $199 per month) or $20 for a day pass. The coworking area is accessible by a secure app and allows members to access meeting rooms, sound-absorbing phone booths or “break-out zones.”
Coworkers also have unlimited access to the Wello Lounge, which is considered the “heart and soul” of Wello Works and offers unlimited coffee and sparkling water, an O2 breathing chair, a recovery massage chair and virtual movement rooms.
The Wello Collective, which is independent from the co-working space, offers more premium wellness amenities in 10 – 20 minute sessions, such as HydroMassage, an LED light therapy bed, Relax Meditation Pods, an infrared sauna with salt bricks, a CryoLounge and Somadome deep meditation. The space is open to the public, provided they book a session.
A second project from de Leede, EcoView Retreat, is set to launch this November in Australia’s Tallebudgera Valley, conveniently located near the Gold Coast Airport. The retreat features villas, multi-purpose rooms, communal spaces, an outdoor pool, a conference room and a premium fitness and wellness center, which allows for flexibility when hosting various retreats.
“(It’s) a haven for corporate teams, wellness seekers, event planners, and anyone looking to create unforgettable experiences in a natural, secluded setting,” de Leede said.
Wello Work’s launch in the U.S. comes as health and wellness have evolved into key focus areas for consumers.
Major cities like New York are experiencing a rapid development of wellness clubs, and the wellness real estate market is projected to hit nearly $890 billion by 2027. Luxury athletic club Life Time is continuing to develop residences that cater to healthy lifestyles, and even major hotel brands are enriching their fitness and wellness offerings.
While health and wellness is an increasingly global phenomenon, the U.S. has by far the largest wellness economy in the world, valued at $1.8 trillion.
