SIMPLY THE BEST

A return to the old school

Fitness is going back to basics. In line with the buzzword recent years – functionality – a number of fitness facilities are already creating free training zones on their gym floor. Fewer machines, more space and focus on the use of the exercise’s own body weight, complemented by smaller pieces of portable equipment such as dumbbells and exercise balls – this is the basic premise of the zones. It’s trend that’s guidance, often due to health club, could benefit from.

The concept is already tried and tested at Celebrity Fitness, which in incorporating such zones into all of it’s health club and offering hourly, instructor led, small group training sessions to engage members and create a buzz on the gym floor.

And other fitness operators are following suit. Others will follow with style circuit training with an emphasis on minimal equipment. It’s concept that spa could adapt within fitness suites or exercise studios.

These zones also lend themselves perfectly to personal training, which will continue to grow in importance as a revenue stream in 2011; small group personal training in particular will be a key driver, something that spas could also potentially include.

With a similar ‘back to basics’ approach, outdoor fitness offering will also continue to grow, attracting those who may not be drawn towards the gym environment. Spa owners able to tap into this market, creating outdoor offerings of their own, should be able to grow their fitness membership base or at least add another dimension to their fitness menu.