Ireland’s most expensive gym could take the pain out of exercise

By Sybil Mulcahy

13/03/2020

NB: ANY PRICES QUOTED IN PRESS ARTICLES WERE CORRECT AT TIME OF PUBLICATION. CURRENT PRICING AND SERVICES MAY VARY.

There are flames coming out of the infinity pool in Irelands’ most expensive gym in Ballsbridge, it’s actually steam which is the first sign this place is impressive.

Eden One opened in Dublin 4, in February costing 12 million euro to build and is situated in the basement of the Eden development, one of the most luxurious developments of apartments in the city. Think a concierge, rooftop garden, and huge open space communal lounges for entertaining guests.

The gym which is also a full-service spa is part of the luxury offering and will set you back almost €3,000 euro a year, €200 euro a month plus €500 ‘joining fee’ but for that you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Think showers where actual snow rains down on you, heated infra ray marble loungers which penetrate the skins aches and pains and steam rooms where ionised micro salt is pumped into the air to help your respiratory system.

At 30,000 square foot in prime Ballsbridge territory, it’s the most expensive gym in the country by far and no more than 1,000 members are allowed to join at any time.

To get into the gym in the first place it’s like Fort Knox, you have to get past a serious-looking concierge at the entrance and once inside its all dim lights, leather couches and luxury touches.

General Manager David Howard gave me a tour showing me first the state of the art gym which offers you a personalised experience. There are dozens and dozens of high tech machines with little videos which tell you how they work or instead you can watch Netflix while you work out.

‘You scan your phone and it logs you into the machine and it becomes a personal experience’ David explains.

‘If you want to do a marathon on the treadmill, you can do it in parts, you can do 5k today and 5k tomorrow and when you get back onto the machine it knows what you have done and it logs you back in, the machine will remember you and you can charge your phone as you go as well.’

Alongside the machines, there are three huge studios for 100 different classes. The spinning room comes complete with a huge screen so you watch yourself cycling through the scenery.

Then it’s on to the spa which has four treatment rooms. Here they offer all types of facials and massages using Spanish skincare brand Natura Bissé which is also used in the Ashford Castle spa.

After your treatment, you can relax on heated Italian loungers or move to the upper deck which has an infinity pool and a separate pool that has hydrotherapy loungers.

A huge sauna with clear glass overlooks the pool and if you want to cool down there is waterfall rain showers and an ice fountain.

Upstairs is another relaxation area that looks into a garden where more lounging can be done on heated marble.

It took two years to complete Eden One and they have thought of every luxury touch, from the Dyson hairdryers in the changing rooms to the fluffy bathrobes and slippers everyone gets on checking in.

Even the bar is impressive. Yes you can sweat your guts out here and come down to the bar made of bespoke Italian marble and order yourself a glass of wine or a margarita.

Members depending on their level of membership are entitled to bring guests in to enjoy a full menu which they describe as Pan American.

There is sushi, sandwiches, steaks and a range of Italian dishes or the bartender who was previously in Adare Manor can whip you up a non-alcoholic cocktail.

‘We do have a full-service gym and we do have a full-service spa it’s not either or both it’s all of it’ says David Howard. ‘If you are someone who really wants a good gym and good classes we can do that for you here if you are someone who just wants to relax who just wants to use the spa area we have that as well.’

So far Eden One’s membership take-up is going well with more than fifty per cent of the one thousand places taken. If you don’t fancy paying €200 a month there are less expensive offerings which include weekend only and day rates.

It’s what you would describe as the ultimate luxury but maybe the opulent surroundings will take the pain out of doing all those leg crunches.

NB: ANY PRICES QUOTED IN PRESS ARTICLES WERE CORRECT AT TIME OF PUBLICATION. CURRENT PRICING AND SERVICES MAY VARY.