Go behind the scenes of Saks Wellery, retail’s new game-changing wellness experience

If you’re looking for more proof that wellness is going mainstream (as we predicted in our 2017 Wellness Trends), see exhibit A: Saks Wellery, the healthy-living playground currently occupying more than 16,000 square feet on the second floor of Saks’ Fifth Avenue flagship.

As interest in healthy living continues to grow, savvy retailers are jumping on the trend—but few go as full-throttle as the totally immersive pop-up experience, which combines mini fitness studios, athleisure shops, and natural beauty spas into one feel-good package. (Yep, you can literally go from sweating at ConBody to shopping at Beyond Yoga…in ten steps.)

And on Thursday, May 11, the idea lived up to the buzz: nearly 2,000 Well+Good readers and healthy-living enthusiasts poured in for the launch, co-hosted by yours truly.

Nearly 2,000 Well+Good readers and healthy-living enthusiasts poured in for the launch.

Actually, the intrigue was off the charts: Guests joined in for mini workouts, chilled in salt chambers, snapped photos with host Tracy Anderson, and grabbed Well+Good tote bags by the hundreds (seriously—we gave away approximately 600 of them).

“Our latest concept shop, focused entirely on wellness, continues the Saks tradition of elevating shopping to a higher level by building exciting customer experiences,” Saks chief merchant Tracy Margolies shared. “We want the Saks Wellery to be a sanctuary for our customers—a place to find peace and solace in the middle of our bustling city.”

Keep scrolling for pics of all of the buzz—and check out all the feel-good opportunities you can hit up yourself through fall 2017.

Clothing pop-ups by Ron Dorff, Greyson Clothiers, Alala, Heroine Sport, Beyond Yoga, and Phat Buddha—as well as Saks’ own athleisure lines—gave guests plenty of opportunities to fill up their W+G tote bags.

The evening’s host struck a pose: Saks president Marc Metrick, Well+Good co-founders Alexia Brue and Melisse Gelula, and fitness star Tracy Anderson (and yes, guests got a chance to snap a pic with Gwyneth’s BFF, too).

It-girl DJ Pamela Katz kept the tunes pumping all night—and sipped Pressed Juicery in between tracks.

A peek at the crowd—a small fraction of the nearly 2,000 wellness fans who attended, eager to get a first look at what amounted to basically a healthy-living dream-land.

Party-goers lounged on TechnoGym’s Wellness Balls—the exercise booster used for muscle toning and restoration—while waiting their turn to try out innovative fitness equipment.

Splash Mixers were the drink of choice for the evening, providing an all-natural, low-sugar take on traditional cocktails—including Carrie Bradshaw’s favorite: Cosmopolitan.

Those who braved the long lines at Breathe Salt Room were rewarded with a luxurious detox session inside the Himalayan salt chamber (and excellent photo opp, of course).

The gorgeous space was basically selfie paradise.

For those that craved a breather, Glow Recipe provided flash facials for a quick self-care moment among the commotion.

All the action was sure to make you thirsty—but Hfactor was on hand with hydrogenized water, which includes an added dose of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

Need a timeout to take a selfie? No problem—S’well set up photo stations to snap a selfie with a friend (because good lighting is everything).

The space also included workout studios where fitness buffs could try out the technique. Case in point: Peloton gave guests the opportunity to test-drive its state-of-the-art bikes, and this rider crushed a full workout during her turn!

Here’s a fun game: Spot the Well+Good tote bags.

The colorful bikes at Martone’s pop-art-inspired booth gave a whole new meaning to riding in style (move aside, Citi bikes).

The founder of prison-style boot-camp class ConBody, Coss Marte, posed for his mugshot while amped-up attendees worked up a sweat at ConBody’s studio space.

The aforementioned ConBody studio, where one lucky winner of a pull-up contest scored a week of complimentary classes and ConBody swag.

Looks weird, feels amazing: Guests received restorative massages at Bendable Body, which employs a specialized stretching technique for ultimate post-workout recovery.

On the supplement front, Care/of provided consultations on the brand’s line of personal vitamins for curious health aficionados.

Over at the Parsons Xtreme Golf simulator, even Tracy Anderson couldn’t resist giving it a shot. (Golf shoes not included.)

Dying to experience it all yourself? You can check out the whole space (and hit up pop-up fitness classes at The Saks Wellery Studio, above) through fall 2017. Keep tabs on the schedule—you don’t want to miss it.

In partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue

Photos: Getty Images for Saks Fifth Avenue