A growing trend in the United States these days are personal fitness health clubs. Gone are the days of “the gym.” These days, health clubs offer far more than simply work out equipment, or weights. Personal trainers are available to most clients, and spas, indoor pools, and steam rooms are becoming the norm among health clubs.
Most gyms have always offered circuit training, but it was up to the individual to determine what training they specifically needed. Health club style gyms will often create training programs and schedules for those are utilizing circuit training, as well as providing information about the particular muscles that are being worked, and the benefits to various physiological systems.
Additionally, while most gyms have always offered some sort of aerobic class, modern health clubs offer many, many classes. Step aerobics are now lead by instructors who also teaching spinning, which contrary to what it sounds like is actually a cycling class. Similar to stationary bicycling, spinning adds the force of weighted “wheels” to the work out, thus increasing cardiac workings as well as toning legs, and buttocks. Zumba is all the rage these days, which encompasses an aerobic style class coupled with a salsa style dancing. Popular among women especially, Zumba is fast becoming the number one requested class among health clubs across the country.
Personal trainers are frequent additions to most gym-turned health clubs. Trainers offer their clients one on one attention, and personalized training designed for the consumer. Some people are quite happy with their weight, and don’t desire to lose any more, but want a bigger midsection. Some people only want to work their arms, abs, or legs. Some people are interested in strength training only, while still others are working to control their weight. There are even personal trainers for those with special needs; many special Olympians work with personal trainers to develop strength for their competition. There are also personal trainers for pregnant women, the geriatric set, and amputees.
Most health clubs offer secondary services to their clients. It’s not uncommon to see a “smoothie bar” in some health clubs, or a “healthy café” in others. Clients have a workout, and then enjoy a protein packed smoothie on their way out the door. Businessmen can have a healthy lunch at the café and then work in a lunchtime workout. Any health club that offers a pool is ranked highly by their consumers; water aerobics are popular among the pregnant set, as well as though who have joint dysplasia, amputees, and the elderly. Essentials like locker rooms, hot showers, steam rooms and saunas are also indicators of a health club versus standard gym. Most consumers appreciate the extra amenities offered by their health clubs.
Most gyms are moving toward health club status. Offering a wider variety of services to their consumer base increases popularity within the community, thus increasing membership and the profit of the health club. Whereas gym memberships used to be quite expensive, the growing popularity of health clubsHealth issues allows for owners and managers to create variable pricing for members; annual contracts are the least expensive, while month to month services tend to be more expensive in the long run, but cost consumers less up front, and require no credit.