I Went to a Social Wellness Club for the First Time and a Membership Might Be the Move
by Brande Victorian
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April 19, 2024

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I Went to a Social Wellness Club for the First Time and a Membership Might Be the Move

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One of the hardest aspects of my continuously on-again, off-again wellness journey — besides my personal lapses in discipline — has been navigating social obligations where free drinks, fatty foods, and low-vibrational conversations are the norm. I’ve found myself in internal debates about whether I’ll have enough self-control to pass on the champagne and Hors d’oeuvres as people pretend to engage with me for altruistic motives. Many times the resulting answer is “no,” leaving me to choose staying at home more often than not, which after some time, can be isolating. 

That’s why, when the new powdered supplement brand The Absorption Company invited me to try out their products for an afternoon of self care at Remedy Place in West Hollywood, I jumped at the chance.

I’ve been wanting to try out Remedy Place ever since I learned social wellness clubs are a thing. The basic principle of said spaces is that human connection and healing therapies go hand and hand, but unlike a spa or gym where communicating with those around you can be seen as intrusive, Remedy Place facilitates healthy social interaction as an important facet of overall wellness. 

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I arrived early to my appointment on a Thursday afternoon and hung out in the lounge where non-alcoholic happy hours are regularly held. The bar just a few steps behind was serving up functional elixirs made with one of The Absorption Company’s powdered supplements which, like the name suggests, are designed to significantly increase the bioavailability of the nutrients your body is craving. Because I was about to enter a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that would challenge my belief that I don’t have issues with small spaces, I opted for the watermelon Collins mocktail infused with Calm., a supplement crafted to help reduce cortisol levels, regulate and improve mood, and facilitate serenity and mental clarity.

Functional elixirs at Remedy Place in West Hollywood (Courtesy of Brande Victorian)

I’m inclined to believe Calm. went to work pretty quickly because I didn’t flinch when it was time to climb inside the device, though once the transparent cover came down and the latch was sealed, I couldn’t shake the thought that it was quite possibly the size of the vessel that went down in OceanGate last year. 

Nevertheless, I ultimately found it relatively easy to relax inside the chamber designed to accelerate biochemical healing once my ears adjusted to the increased oxygen pressure. I was warned that the beginning and ending of the 30-minute session would feel like the ascent and descent of a flight and it was certainly very similar, albeit more intense. I was allowed to bring my cell phone inside, and I was given a pair of headphones and an iPad loaded with music and TV streaming apps to keep me company. 

I chose the pre-recorded guided meditation to silence my doomsday overthinking, and roughly 10 minutes in, I would say I experienced some of the mood-lifting benefits of oxygen therapy. Studies have shown oxygen therapy, in addition to its ability to help treat physical issues such as wounds, infections, and injuries, can also improve mental health outcomes for patients experiencing depression. 

A hyperbaric oxygen chamber at Remedy Place (Courtesy of Brande Victorian)

One of the more reassuring aspects of the therapy is that you can see outside of the chamber during your treatment, and for a good majority of it, someone was standing nearby should I have experienced any issues. There’s also an emergency stop button should you need it and a button to ring the front desk with any concerns along with a timer and language that reminds you you’re in control inside of the tank so there’s no reason not to lay back on the cushiony surface and indulge in the cool air and calming therapy you signed up for.

After the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, I opted for a turn in the infrared sauna suite, although I was encouraged by a member of the Remedy team to do a Cryotherapy session, which is often paired with oxygen therapy because it further helps reduce inflammation and boost endorphins. Still, I’m glad I chose the sauna because it’s the feature that most got me seriously thinking about a membership. 

Courtesy of Brande Victorian

The private suite is exactly as it sounds, a completely separate space where you can bask in the relaxing and detoxifying benefits of a sauna completely solo. Inside, a bench with a cold towel and a tiny sculpted ice block awaited me for when the heat got too hot. There was also a shower with Saya amenities for me to freshen up after my session, and, once again, an iPad for me to listen to a selection of my choice. I chose a Sarah Jakes Roberts sermon because it had been that kind of week. A serving of Restore. was also there for me to partake, a fitting choice for its rehydration properties, as each stick provides more than 700mg of electrolytes from sodium, magnesium, and potassium.

This was hands down my favorite service. Though a longtime fan of saunas, I often find myself in a tug of war between trying to keep my towel closed and ward off unnecessary conversation with fellow guests in a shared space. Here, I could vibe out solo with sounds, thoughts, and messages that elevated my wellness experience rather than took away from it. And that, to me, is the beauty of Remedy Place as a social club. I can receive therapies in a private space where I feel most comfortable and at peace, but also re-engage in conversation afterward with individuals who likely share similar health goals and outlooks without the temptations that can come in other environments — which is exactly what I did after a lavish post-sauna shower.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find that membership to the social club isn’t nearly as expensive as I thought it would be, with an option as low as $30 per month that in this professional, political, and economic climate is giving “money well spent.” The soft life movement may be well behind us as we grapple with the realities of a pending or perhaps present recession, but wellness is never simply a trend. As discussions build around the lack of third places for adults seeking to connect post-pandemic, social wellness clubs offer just that in an environment that makes choosing things that help you be your best self easy and accessible. 

Courtesy of Brande Victorian

As I’ve continued to mull over possible membership, I’ve kept up my supplement regimen with the samples The Absorption Company provided, which have made choosing wellness at home easier as well. As somewhat of a supplement junkie, I’ve routinely needed a boost of energy in the morning, something to help me chill out midday amid work stress, and another thing to keep my head clear so I can sleep through the night, and the brand offers all of that and more without the calories, sugar rushes, and other additives found in similar products. I just add a packet to 16 ounces of water and drink, which has also provided a much-needed boost to my daily water intake.

It’s true that the more you work on yourself, the more you question whether the people, places and things in your life serve your highest self. It’s also true that making friends and genuine connections as an adult is extremely difficult. Social wellness clubs feel like a place where you don’t have to choose. You can organically expand your circle without losing sight of your purpose and goals for yourself, and that’s something we all deserve to experience.

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