The Fitness Portal
Meet Your Neighbour, The Fitness Portal
We welcome “The Fitness Portal” to the Uptown neighbourhood.
Uptown catches up with co-owner and creative director Taylor Blackler to hear about The Fitness Portal, a brand new gym in the space that was previously home to BodyTech.
The Fitness Portal had their start in 2019, and not long after expanded to a second Wellington location. From there, things really took off. Taylor was planning to head across the ditch, when The Fitness Portal team presented him with the opportunity to expand up to Auckland. We’re pleased to announce that they’ve found their first Auckland home in Uptown!
Taylor merges his skills in fitness, marketing and content creation, and a long-time dream of owning a gym, to create a community at Fitness Portal.
As you walk in, you’ll be greeted by staff who are creating a friendly, supportive and motivational environment. Inspired by facilities seen overseas, Fitness Portal has a health club feel, offering lots and catering to many, all under one roof.
The gym floor feels non-commercial, with everything you need as well as unique pieces of equipment for hard training. The facilities also include a swimming pool and spa, as well as sauna, steam room and ice bath. Group fitness and personal training are also on offer.
Portal Cafe, located just inside the gym entryway, is worth a visit on its own. Already known among Uptown locals, cafe owner Azumi serves great coffee, smoothies, toasties and pastries. “Azumi came to us with her idea to start a cafe inside Fitness Portal, and it was pretty much a no brainer!” says Taylor.
The construction of the space was informed by their vision and business model:
“The vision of Fitness Portal is to create a space that everyone feels welcome in, and can progress whatever their fitness goal is.”
“We cater to everyone,” says Taylor. From casual gym goers wanting an attractive space to stay active, to powerlifters and bodybuilders wanting hard training.
There’s a challenge in creating a space that works for everyone, but The Fitness Portal has struck a great balance.
“The member’s experience is so important to us, whether you are a 16 year old kid wanting to learn how to train, or a 55 year old wanting to come for a swim and a coffee and a walk on the treadmill. We have very high standards across the board. That’s how we operate.”
Taylor cites the membership and staff base as The Fitness Portal’s biggest success so far. “The people have been great. The staff have been our backbone. We’re very lucky,” he says. Members who come from surrounding offices and apartments love the convenience, as do those who make the most of Uptown’s connected position and travel from the surrounding CBD and Newmarket areas.
Head over to 8 Nugent Street for a tour of Fitness Portal, and enjoy a coffee from Portal Cafe while you’re there!
Website: thefitnessportal.co.nz
Instagram: @fitnessportal.akl
Facebook: The Fitness Portal
Email: auckland@thefitnessportal.co.nz
Phone: 09 558 1408
Address: 8 Nugent Street, Grafton, Auckland 1023
