It starts with polished brass and leather-bound silence. You roll through the iron gates of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia, hand your keys to the valet, and step into a world that smells faintly of cedar, tobacco, and generational wealth. The carpets are thick. The walls are lined with portraits of men who’ve never did a burpee in their lives. This is not a place for fads or foam rollers. This is old money, old muscle, and high standards.
And somewhere behind all that heritage and hush sits one of the most exclusive fitness offerings in the country.
Sweat & Social Club has returned to Sydney’s CBD, but it’s not reopening as the cool, tucked-away gym it was before COVID. It’s gone upmarket—way up. Now located inside the Royal Automobile Club of Australia on Macquarie Street, it’s a private training experience so exclusive it’s capped at just twelve clients.
Yes, twelve.
It’s run by husband-and-wife duo Chief Brabon and Emilie Brabon-Hames—the transformation team behind some of Australia’s biggest names. If you’ve seen Guy Sebastian’s body comp change over the years, or Osher Günsberg’s shift from TV host to fitness role model, you’ve seen their work. And if you want in on it, you’d better apply early and come prepared to impress.
Rhodium-level luxury
That’s not a marketing phrase. That’s what they’re calling it. Rhodium. It’s a subtle flex—a nod to the fact that this offering goes beyond platinum in both polish and rarity.
Here’s what that looks like: You drive into the private garage at RACA and hand your keys to the valet. Your gear is whisked into the club. You’re coached directly by Chief or Em—no assistants, no filler sessions. After your workout, your training clothes are collected and laundered, dried, folded, and ready for your next visit. You recover in a steam room or sauna, grab your custom post-workout meal, and get your car delivered back to the door.
It’s part old-school club, part private wellness sanctuary, and part performance lab. But it’s definitely not a gym, at least not in the usual sense. No swipe cards. No lineups for the bench. No generic programming. This is by design.
“We’re not looking to scale,” Emilie says. “We want to work with people who are serious, consistent, and who get what we’re trying to build. That means keeping it small, and keeping it personal.”
The resume speaks for itself
You’ve seen their work. If not on red carpets, then on our own cover — Uli Latukefu, star of, among others, Danger Close, transformed his physique with Chief and Em in the lead-up to some of his biggest roles. Same goes for Guy Sebastian, Osher Günsberg, and Pete Murray. These aren’t 12-week challenges. They’re long-term, high-trust projects that rebuild the engine, not just the exterior.
Their original gym in The Rocks was a magnet for TV hosts, execs and early-risers who wanted privacy and real results. COVID killed that location, but the loyal following stayed. Some even drove out to Malabar just to keep training through lockdown.
Now, with offices full again and diaries packed, the Brabons have brought the operation back to the city — and tightened the circle even further.
“We needed a space that matched our clients’ pace and expectations,” says Chief. “No distractions, no compromises.”
Not for everyone, by design
If this sounds selective, that’s the point. They’re not trying to fill classes. They’re curating a client list. Twelve names at a time, tops.
There’s no need to be a RACA member to train here, but there is an application process. And there’s no guarantee you’ll make the cut. This isn’t about exclusivity for the sake of ego. It’s about time. The duo has more than 60 years of combined experience and a full book. They’re not trying to grow an empire—they’re refining a craft.
“We’re in a place now where we get to choose who we work with,” Em says. “It’s a privilege. We take it seriously.”
Applications are open now via SweatAndSocialClub.com.au. If you’re interested, move quickly. Spots like this don’t come up often—and they don’t stay open for long. https://sweatandsocialclub.com.au/
