Revive Wellness Club, a wellness brand originally founded in the United Kingdom, has officially opened its first Canadian location at 2100 Bloor Street West in Toronto’s High Park neighbourhood. The company’s expansion into Canada is spearheaded by Greg Aguilera, who owns 100% of the brand’s Canadian operations.
“This is just the beginning,” said Aguilera. “We plan to open up to 20 locations across Canada, with six corporately owned and the rest franchised. But we’re being selective—this is about doing it right, not just fast.”
A New Kind of Wellness Hub
The Toronto location is more than a spa—it blends wellness, research, and community under one roof in just over 2,100 square feet. At its core is contrast therapy, the practice of alternating hot and cold exposure, delivered in a space designed to be calming and seamless.
“There are no corridors, barely any doors,” said Aguilera. “You flow from one space to another. We designed it to be an experience—not just a treatment.”
The facility includes a sauna, cold plunge pools, therapy spaces, and a coffee shop—a nod to both wellness and social connection. “We serve the best coffee around,” Aguilera said. “We partnered with Chaveta, a local coffee roaster at 994 Bathurst Street. Our team did six days of barista training. If we’re going to do something, we’re going to do it properly.”
Built from the Ground Up
The Toronto club was developed from scratch. “When we walked in, it was a construction site,” Aguilera said. “We’ve been here since it was a concrete floor. And already, we’re talking about what the first renovation would look like.”
While the space is compact, it’s designed for maximum impact. “This space packs a lot of punch,” he said. “And we’re already thinking—if the space next door becomes available, can we expand?”
A living wall, originally planned for the space, was put on hold due to its $100,000 price tag. “We’ve done the plumbing for it, so maybe down the road. But for now, we wanted to invest elsewhere,” said Aguilera.
Grounded in Science and Research
Revive isn’t just about wellness trends. The brand is partnering with the University of Toronto and OCAD University to foster academic research and creativity.
“We’re working with U of T’s kinesiology, physiotherapy, and chiropractic departments to host student researchers who will study the effects of contrast therapy,” said Christabel, a team member and project leader. “We want real-world data on how this affects both physical and mental recovery.”
A community art project with OCAD is also underway. A mural will adorn a blank wall in the club, reflecting the neighbourhood and Revive’s values.
Aguilera emphasized the importance of these partnerships. “We’re not just saying we’re backed by science—we’re contributing to it,” he said. “Contrast therapy has been around forever, but the research is still limited. We want to change that.”
Wellness for Everyday People
While contrast therapy is often associated with elite athletes, Aguilera says the real growth in the UK—and now in Canada—is among everyday people.
“We thought our main clients would be Olympians and pro athletes,” he said. “But it turns out, the biggest growth is in the everyday person. People with stressful jobs, parents, commuters, anyone looking for one hour to reset.”
Sessions last around 60 minutes and include multiple rounds of hot and cold exposure. “It’s long enough to feel the benefits without diminishing returns,” said Aguilera. “You get dopamine release in the sauna, then you reactivate that with the cold. It’s about balance.”
A Space to Unwind and Belong
Beyond the science and saunas, Revive is deeply focused on building community. The club hosts support groups, therapy talks, and will soon launch a running club.
“We want to be a space where people can come have a coffee, work remotely, go for a walk, or do a session,” said Aguilera. “People talk to each other here. The energy shifts depending on who’s in the room.”
The club’s philosophy is simple: wellness should be accessible, consistent, and community-driven. “This isn’t a once-a-year spa day,” he said. “This is something you build into your life.”
Eyes on Expansion—Cautiously Optimistic
Revive Canada has ambitious plans to expand to 20 locations by 2027. The next targets include areas across the Greater Toronto Area, followed by the Golden Horseshoe. Aguilera noted that British Columbia and Nova Scotia are also in consideration, with Kelowna cited as a possible location.
“We want to be careful,” he said. “We’re not giving out franchises like candy. Franchisees need to be passionate. If you’re not invested emotionally, this isn’t the business for you.”
Aguilera added that all of the operational systems in place—from hiring to training to community engagement—are designed with scale in mind.
“We built this for growth. But controlled, intentional growth,” he said.
Global Aspirations—and a Wellness Cave
While Canada is the priority, the long-term vision is international. Aguilera owns 33% of Revive UK, which has four locations including partnerships with British Olympians and sports teams.
He teased one particularly ambitious idea: “We want to build the first Revive in a cave in South America,” he said. “A real cave. And all Revive members globally would have access.”
Not Just Wellness—Longevity
Ultimately, Revive is about more than just treatments. It’s about giving people a space to heal, decompress, and invest in their long-term health.
“People are starting to see that wellness isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said Aguilera. “This isn’t eyebrow threading. This is your vascular system, your mental health, your body’s ability to cope with stress. It’s real.”
Revive Wellness Club is now open to the public at 2100 Bloor Street West in Toronto. The team encourages locals to stop in—for a session, a coffee, or just a chat.
“This is just the beginning,” said Aguilera. “Toronto is the first chapter of a much bigger story.”
