Health and luxury for her

Toronto’s Body Blitz sets the bar using water therapy

Step aside gentlemen; this sanctuary is an escape for women only. Body Blitz Spa, located in a trendy 11,000-sq. ft. warehouse in the heart of downtown Toronto’s King West village, is an urban hotspot that focuses on the health by water philosophy.

Growing up in a household of women, it is no surprise that sisters and co-owners Laura and Rena Polley introduced Toronto to its first women’s only water spa. Body Blitz, which opened in 2005, is based on the ancient European model of communal bathing. The Polleys wanted to provide a relaxing space for women to feel comfortable while exposing their skin to the nutrients in the spa treatments.

Body Blitz was built in an old Fort York warehouse from the late 18th century. The designers kept the brick from the historical building and complemented it with limestone, pine pillars, dark wood, and expansive ceiling heights.

“We added a beautiful curved glass wall that flows through the hallways; it is a great addition to the décor,” says Sara DeRuiter, director. The combination of the natural elements, low lighting and slight modern twists enhance the ambiance.

Although the spa’s reputation is built on its therapeutic water circuits, the Body Blitz menu also features registered massage therapy and replenishing body scrubs, glows, and muds.

Using dead sea salt, hot green tea, and cold plunge pools along with an aromatherapy steam room and infrared sauna, the spa created a circuit consisting of a series of body soaks, steams, and plunges. The objective is for clients to elevate their body temperatures in hot zones to sweat out and dislodge heavy metals, toxins, and pollutants from the core of their bodies. It is also designed to ease sore muscles, improve the respiratory system, and nourish the skin.

Blitz on the Go is an extension of the spa experience and allows clients to purchase the spa’s own products featured in treatments. DeRuiter says the product line reflects the spa’s ongoing commitment to a healthy body. The Canadian-made products use fair trade ingredients, pure essential oils, and are paraben and sodium lauryl sulfate-free. A customer favourite is the Argan oil face serum, containing vitamin E and essential fatty acids to promote anti-aging and skin protecting qualities.

“We put all of our focus into our customer service to make sure our clients are taken care of and have an amazing experience,” says DeRuiter. “They walk out sharing their praises and good word to their girlfriends, sisters and coworkers.”