Gym Profile: Ivy Spa Club

Need a little motivation to kick-start your workout routine? What if you could watch your favorite TV show while sweating off the pounds and follow that up with a relaxing Vichy shower, thirty-minute massage, and gourmet snack? Nope, it’s not too good to be true—it's Ivy Spa Club.

Located on the second floor of downtown Minneapolis’s stunning Hotel Ivy, the club is not only a retreat for out-of-town visitors, it is also a convenient place for downtown workers and city dwellers to stop in for a quick workout—and maybe even a facial.

In addition to its long list of spa treatments (massages, body wraps, waxing, facial peels, aromatherapy), the 17,000-square-foot club offers state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment, including impressive rows of treadmills and elliptical machines by Matrix—all of which offer individual flat-screen TVs perched on top. (Hey, sometimes we’d prefer sweating to Project Runway rather than the football game.)

Stop by before or after work, or during your lunch break, for one of Ivy Spa Club’s rejuvenating group classes. Ranging from Yoga and Pilates to Body Blitz and Cardio Sculpt, each class has a limit of twenty students (and often it’s less), so you’ll never get lost in a crowd. In addition, five certified personal trainers are on hand for one-on-one fitness assessments and customized workout plans.

One of the most luxurious aspects of the facility is the locker room. Marketing manager Emily Finley says that Ivy’s gone above and beyond to make club-goers feel at home in the space. Warm woodwork, soft green hues, and lighted candles welcome members after their workouts or spa treatments. Inside each locker is a neatly folded towel and one of Ivy’s signature bathrobes.

Take advantage of the steam room and the Cold Plunge, Kholer Water Tile, or Vichy specialty showers—each fully stocked with Ivy’s custom-made organic shampoos, conditioners, and soaps. Especially convenient for on-the-go guests is the modern grooming area, complete with complimentary hair dryers, Q-tips, brushes, mouthwash, and other items you might not want to tote from home to the gym to the office.

After your workout and shower, kick back next to a fireplace in the dimly lit relaxation area, schedule a deep tissue massage, or head out to the Ivy Spa Club Café where healthy food items are catered in from a local chef. Between the classes, luxury showers, spa treatments, and food, you might actually look forward to gym trips.

Ivy Spa Club, Hotel Ivy, 201 S. 11th St., Mpls., 612-343-3131

Three membership levels allow Ivy Spa Club members to pick and choose the amenities they can access:

• Premier Membership ($199/month)–full access to facilities; complimentary fitness classes; special membership pricing on all spa services and products for you, your guests, and family members; and member pricing on Hotel Ivy services.
• Signature Membership ($139/month)–full access to facilities, complimentary fitness classes, and special member pricing on all spa services and products.
• Urban Membership ($79/month)–full access to facilities and special spa promotions and events.