When a holiday won’t fit into the schedule, it’s time to consider another option to find an oasis within city limits. Bringing European spa style to the city of Toronto, Body Blitz owners Laura and Rena Polley opened their first women-only spa in the King Street West neighbourhood in 2005.
Their spa concept, one that was about having fun and making the “waters” part of a healthy lifestyle, was a hit with busy locals who needed pampering. Body Blitz Spa was attracting an increasing number of groups, from bridal to birthday parties, which led to the need for expansion. The opening of their second location — a 21,000 square foot space in the east end of the city — in November 2012 provided a new headquarters for the company’s administrative staff as well as another place for ladies to benefit from a staycation getaway in the city.
Owner Laura Polley knew that she wanted to make a spa that was for women only. Coming from a family of five girls, she says, “I knew what women wanted. We felt women deserved to have their own space and the time to look after themselves. Having toured various countries to visit their waters, we wanted to bring this tradition to Canada.”
Instead of the customary 15 minutes advance arrival that most spas request, guests are asked to arrive an hour or more before treatments to experience the water circuit. In this laidback communal environment, bathing suits are optional and conversation encouraged — this isn’t a quiet zone, but definitely a relaxing one. Laura is proud to have created a unique space where women come together to benefit from a healthy, welcoming environment.
Women of all ages soak in warm pools, detox their bodies in the soothing Dead Sea salt pool and relax in the Epsom salt pool. They are encouraged to follow the circuit recommendations to alternate soaks with time spent in a steam room, sauna and cold pool multiple times before relaxing in one of the lounge chairs surrounding the pools. “Women in North America used to treat spas as an indulgence or something you did on special occasions. Incorporating Body Blitz into their lifestyle is part of being proactive and maintaining good health practices,” says Laura.
Body Blitz Spa also offers a variety of face and body treatments, such as shiatsu or aromatherapy massage, body scrubs or mudsand face renewal treatments in 19 treatment rooms. All products are 100% Canadian made and are an extension of the Body Blitz Spa experience, says co-owner Rena. Using house-made products that eschew parabens, artificial colours and animal testing, with a focus on fair-trade and natural ingredients, the spa embodies a philosophy where products have, as explained on their website, “a maximum effect on your skin and a minimum effect on the environment.” In this spa, its about health first and beauty benefits second.
