How Luxury Fitness and Wellness Brands Are Redefining Retail Space in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has always been a city that sets the tone for lifestyle trends — from red carpet fashion to clean eating, to the way Angelenos approach health and wellness. Today, luxury fitness and wellness brands are not only transforming how we live but also reshaping the retail real estate landscape across the city.

The Shift: From Gyms to Experiential Lifestyle Destinations

Traditional gyms once prioritized square footage and equipment density. But in LA, the new wave of luxury fitness tenants — think Equinox, Bunda, Barry’s, and Alo Wellness Club — are blending design, community, and exclusivity. These spaces are less about treadmills and weights and more about curated experiences: spa-like locker rooms, smoothie bars, meditation lounges, and even co-working areas.

Prime Locations, Premium Rents

For landlords and developers, leasing to high-end fitness and wellness operators has become a powerful way to anchor a project. Just as luxury retail once drew foot traffic, boutique fitness and wellness concepts now act as lifestyle drivers. In submarkets like West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills, wellness-driven spaces are commanding prime corners and reshaping what “retail frontage” means. Instead of pulling traffic through merchandise displays, these brands draw affluent consumers through experience-led design and community-building programming.

Why Luxury Fitness Works in LA

    1.    Demographics: Angelenos prioritize health and image — and are willing to pay for it.

    2.    Culture: Wellness isn’t a trend here; it’s a lifestyle embedded into the city’s identity.

    3.    Synergy: Luxury fitness concepts pair seamlessly with upscale retail, beauty, and dining. It’s not unusual to see a Barry’s Bootcamp next to a Nobu, or Alo Yoga adjacent to a Lululemon and Erewhon.

The Tenant Advantage

Luxury fitness brands understand that location is part of their brand equity. By leasing high-profile spaces, they build visibility and create aspirational experiences that extend beyond workouts. Their presence elevates entire properties, often attracting complementary tenants in fashion, food, and beauty.

Looking Ahead

As Los Angeles continues to lead the way in merging lifestyle and real estate, expect to see more wellness concepts in mixed-use projects, adaptive reuse properties, and even traditional retail centers. Landlords who can curate the right mix of high-end tenants will benefit from the stickiness and prestige these wellness anchors bring.

In LA, fitness is no longer just about breaking a sweat — it’s about creating an immersive lifestyle destination. And that shift is redefining the value of retail space across the city.

Ari Mencias  

ari@cbi-commercial.com, 310.943.8534.