The Rise of Active Community Events in Palm Beach County
By Darien Davies
Remember that perfect Saturday when you were walking to brunch on Atlantic Avenue or Clematis, or even driving along Dixie Highway, and saw a horde of people running past you? It seemed weird, right? There’s no reason for this many people to be running when there’s a more fun option to be had. If you ask those runners, or yogis, or fitness enthusiasts, this IS the fun option to be had.
Gone are the days when you have to lift at the gym by yourself with only headphones as your sidekick as a way to get lifted. The new wave of fitness includes a few hundred of your local cohorts sweating, stretching, and strengthening their way into health, wellness, and sociability.
According to Eventbrite, which is a global platform that connects people to live experiences and social wellness events, there has been a 146% surge in health and fitness event attendance, with running events up 130% and sober-curious gatherings growing 92%.
This shows that there’s an increasing shift away from solo exercising to community-based activities.
If you haven’t heard of The Club Palm Beach, here’s your in. They host a variety of events at private membership clubs, paddle clubs, pickleball stadiums, and beach events, to full-scale wellness festivals with workout classes, live DJs, health vendors, and recovery experiences. Some are high-energy, like their pool parties and beach takeovers, while others are more grounded and focused on mindfulness and connection.
But who the heck attends these events if you’re just now hearing about them? About 300 to 500 (or more) people, on the reg. All you need is a ticket to the event, which is open to you and everyone you know.
“It’s more than just a workout or a cold plunge. It’s about feeling seen, supported, and inspired. I want people to leave our events feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally,” said Samuel Lenz, founder of The Club Palm Beach. “Whether it’s making a new friend, discovering a new wellness brand, or just taking a break from their everyday routine, I hope every participant walks away feeling more connected, to themselves and to others. It’s not just about wellness, it’s a lifestyle. We make health and connection feel cool, not clinical.”
The goal is to create intentional spaces where attendees can focus on certain factors that Samuel believes will help them better their body and mind, whether that be through focusing on their health or their social wellness, or simply just getting outside and trying something new.
“We live in a world where so many relationships are formed through dating apps or late nights at bars, and they often feel shallow or short-lived. I wanted to create something different. A space where people could unplug, get off their phones, and form real, meaningful connections through shared wellness experiences,” Samuel said. “The Club is about building community, prioritizing your health, and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up. It’s wellness with purpose, and connection at the core.”
Another local group that is making big waves in the event wellness arena is The Cold Collective, whose goal is to redefine wellness in South Florida. Their mission is to make wellness more social, inclusive, and rooted in community, which could include a cold plunge, a group workout, or just a stellar and meaningful convo. They want participants to feel seen, supported, and inspired to show up as their best selves, which goes way beyond the average HIIT routine.
“Each event is a mix of movement, recovery, and connection. Pickle and Plunge brings the energy with pickleball, cold plunges, and good vibes. Waterfront Wellness taps into more of a West Palm Beach vibe, right at the waterfront with scenic workouts, recovery stations, and social moments under the sun,” said Victoria Vesce, co-founder of The Cold Collective with Scott Langill. “What makes us unique is how we combine fun and functionality. We don’t just do workouts. We create wellness experiences people actually look forward to.”
Even if you’ve tried some events and they didn’t hit, Victoria welcomes you back for another round. She and Scott wanted to create something that made wellness fun, social, and approachable, which is how The Cold Collective was born. Just like finding the perfect gym or workout space, you need to find the wellness event that speaks to you and your goals.
“We’re not your typical wellness brand. If you’ve ever felt like wellness spaces weren’t made for you, The Cold Collective is here to change that,” said Victoria, who welcomes around 200 to 500 like-minded attendees to events. “We’re here to build something real with cold plunges, sweat, sunshine, and good people.”
So if your fitness goals aren’t helping you reach your life goals, try and fit this wellness option into your routine. You might just find you’re getting more gains than inches lost.
