Seattle's Most Unique Gym: Henry's Gymnasium
Craving more than a typical gym? Henry's Gymnasium in Seattle blends high-end fitness equipment with museum-quality art, wellness amenities, and a full bar - where workouts become cultural experiences in historic Queen Anne and Capitol Hill.
A look inside the Queen Anne facility.
Step into Henry's Gymnasium and you'll see this isn't your typical Seattle fitness center. Where else can you workout surrounded by 300+ pieces of historical art, sip an IPA at the full-service bar, and unwind in a salt sauna - all under one roof? This isn't just a gym; it's a fitness experience meets art gallery, spa, and social club.
"Part Gym, Part Club, Part Museum" is exactly right. From walls decorated with vintage Seattle photos and Mandela quotes to LED-lit workout spaces and cutting-edge recovery amenities, Henry's redefines fitness.
The Origin Story
When we went to visit, we just had to hear about how this business started. Glen Swain, the owner and creative mastermind behind Henry’s Gymnasium, aims to bring people together through health and wellness, while celebrating diversity, art, culture, and local history. He is passionate about fitness and has a long career in the industry, starting as a personal trainer and progressing into business management.
“We have every shape, size, color, creed, and orientation at Henry’s Gymnasium…and we embrace the hell out of that!”
The Queen Anne building was originally constructed as a garage for blacksmiths to work on Model T-Fords in 1909. But, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Glen saw an opportunity to convert the empty space into something more modern and useable, while still honoring the important history rooted in its design (even using reclaimed wood from old Seattle schools).
Historic photographs of old Seattle and Henry Ford along with inspirational quotes from important leaders in history can be found all throughout the gym space.
Amenities & Services
Henry’s Gymnasium boasts a wide range of amenities at both the Queen Anne facility and their newest location in Capitol Hill. They offer personal training and recovery options to provide a holistic wellness environment.
Some highlights include:
Chromotherapy: Also known as color therapy. This is a treatment that uses different colors as healing properties to improve the body’s physical, emotional, and spiritual balance and restore energy imbalances.
Halotherapy: Also known salt therapy. This is a treatment that uses the inhalation of salt particles through breathing to improve the respiratory tract and skin and is thought to help reduce symptoms including asthma, eczema, psoriasis, hay fever, cold & flu, and sleep issues.
Infrared Salt Sauna: Combines the benefits of traditional infrared saunas, with the healing properties of Himalayan salt to improve cardiovascular function.
Red Light Therapy: A treatment that uses low-level red and near-infrared light to stimulate the body's natural healing and regenerative processes, improving skin conditions, reducing pain, and aiding in muscle recovery.
Normatec Therapy: A recovery technique that uses pneumatic compression to improve circulation and reduce muscle soreness.
Hydromassage: A form of massage therapy that uses pressurized water jets to stimulate and massage the body.
Cryo-Contrast Therapy: Involves alternating between hot and cold treatments, such as a hot bath followed by a cold plunge, to potentially improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and aid in muscle recovery.
Vibration Therapy: A rehabilitation method that uses mechanical vibrations to stimulate muscles and tissues, improving strength, balance, and bone density.
Bar: Selling fresh smoothies, pre and post-workout drinks as well as beer and wine.
What makes Henry’s Gymnasium unique?
What truly sets Henry's apart is that it serves as a lifestyle destination, not just a fitness facility. The curated art collection, nightclub lighting and dedication to music makes gym-goers feel inspired on a scale not seen before in Seattle. While most gyms push you out after your workout, Henry's invites you to stay. The full-service bar with craft beer, wine, and fresh smoothies creates a social hub where fitness meets community.
This, plus premium recovery amenities typically only in high-end spas, transforms the gym experience into something more luxurious and engaging. It's where art, fitness, wellness, and social life intersect under one historic roof - redefining what a gym can be and taking holistic wellness to the next level!
Planning your trip
Henry's Gymnasium operates two locations in Seattle - the original Queen Anne facility housed in the historic 1909 building and their newer Capitol Hill location. It’s worth arriving early or staying after your workout to fully experience what makes this gym unique.
Consider scheduling a tour to see the extensive art collection and get familiar with their range of recovery amenities like the infrared salt sauna and cryotherapy options!
