heat
experiences
GOLDEN RULES TO TELL YOUR MEMBERS
n Don’t bathe on a full stomach n Be aware of the contraindications: encourage members to see a doctor if they are unsure
n Wash and dry thoroughly beforehand
n Do three cycles of heating up and cooling down
n Make sure you cool down thoroughly in between sessions
n Stay hydrated: the ideal drink is water with lemon, as this includes minerals
A full induction
to the wet area will improve spa etiquette and ensure members make the most of the experience
n It’s not about endurance: get out if it feels too hot
Informative signage and an induction is
the very least that clubs should be doing, but a small class could be the best way to impart knowledge and foster appreciation of the spa area. “Each user should be inducted in the health suite in the same way they are in the gym,” says Mitchell.
HEAT EXPERIENCES: THE BENEFITS
n Increases mental focus n Fosters a calm, relaxed energy n Relaxes the body tissues n Impacts sensory nerve endings, reducing mental fatigue and aiding sleep and coping mechanisms
n Reduces stress hormones n Increases beta-endorphins n Aids detoxification n Improves circulation
“The operator needs to explain how to get the most from the experience and go through the etiquette, like sitting on a towel in the sauna and washing down the steamroom seat with a kneipp hose.” McCarthy adds: “Clubs should talk to people beforehand and make sure they’re aware of the contraindications, as well as doing a blood pressure check and making sure members are physically up to it.” However, while some people may
have contraindications which exclude them from the sauna and steamroom, the whirlpool is suitable for everyone provided it’s no hotter than 35ºC. “Whirlpools provide non-pressure massage, destressing, relaxation and improved blood flow and muscle healing,” says Kundhi. “Heat and warm water improves circulation, plus it takes the pressure off muscles and joints. It also loosens tension, encourages deep breathing and is a great way to avoid the build-up of lactic acid.”
68 Read Health Club Management online at
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INTEGRATING SPA Bramham says the bathing ritual is an excellent way of setting yourself up for the day, fostering a calm, relaxed energy and mental focus. So why not think about selling a morning ritual to your club members? Encourage them to come to the club before work, to use the spa rather than the gym to set themselves up for the day. “There has been so much emphasis
on physical fitness and losing weight that we’ve forgotten the importance of fostering mental wellbeing and de- stressing,” says McCarthy.
“Health club operators should use their thermal areas to make the gym visit more varied. The more variation there is to the gym experience, the more likely people are to stay as members,” concludes Kundhi.
healthclub@leisuremedia.com kath hudson
august 2012 © cybertrek 2012
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