First Look: At Inner Studio’s New Two-Storey South Yarra Outpost, the Sauna Is Even Bigger

Inner Studio’s new South Yarra outpost is the south-side counterpart to the wellness destination’s original Collingwood spot, founded by brothers and former AFL players Will Slade and Ben Sinclair.

Slowing down and resetting is the MO at Inner Studios. The new location comes two years after the pair launched in Collingwood in a converted factory. The studio quickly built a loyal following for its leafy atmosphere and blend of breathwork and temperature exposure classes.

“South Yarra felt like a natural fit for us,” Slade says. “It’s a dense and energetic part of Melbourne, and we liked the idea of creating a space that offers a clear contrast to that pace.”

Much of the minimalist design of the two-storey space echoes the original: soft lighting, muted tones, a lush canopy of plants, timber-clad detail. New natural stone flooring helps retain warmth underfoot.

Unlike the Collingwood outpost, where the team worked with landscape designer Clea Cregan of Miniscapes and landscape architect Andrew Laidlaw, the South Yarra fit-out was designed in-house by Slade. 

Downstairs, there are two curved concrete magnesium pools: a hot pool set at 38 degrees Celsius and a cold pool ranging between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius. There’s also a sauna, with space for up to 40 people – significantly bigger than the 25-person sauna in Collingwood, and the southern hemisphere’s largest, according to Slade.

Head upstairs for classes in a light-filled, acoustically engineered studio with 10 mats. Alongside its signature 45-minute breathwork and yoga sessions, the South Yarra timetable introduces mat Pilates classes.

“Pilates aligns closely with our focus on stress resilience,” Slade says. “[It combines] controlled movement, breath and body awareness to help regulate the nervous system while building physical strength.”

You can book in for one-off sessions that include a class and access to the pools and sauna, or opt for class-only access or a one-hour sauna and cold plunge session. There are also five- and 10-visit packs, as well as weekly memberships ranging between $50 and $75.

Wellness hubs are ubiquitous these days. If you’re heading in for the first time, Slade suggests arriving with “a positive mindset toward stress”.

“A big part of what we do is about putting the body through controlled stress – whether that’s heat, cold or movement – so it can adapt and build greater resilience over time,” he says. “And don’t be afraid to say hello to the person next to you.”

Inner Studio South Yarra
61–63 Commercial Road, South Yarra

Hours
Mon to Fri 6am–9pm
Sat & Sun 7.30am–9pm

innerstudio.com.au
@innerstudioaus