Recovery is trending.
In fact, the Wall Street Journal reported that gyms are seeing an increased demand for “gentler classes and recovery spaces.” Plus, a recent survey of 16,000 Americans from wellness app Mindbody reported 43% are exercising to feel better and 59% to reduce stress.
With these types of spaces and offerings increasing in the private sector, it’s something campus recreation must pay attention to. Below are examples of what it looks like at health clubs around the country to spark ideas for your own facility:
1. Specific Spaces
Chelsea Piers Connecticut’s Recovery Room offers an infrared sauna, massage chair, multiple Normatec Puls 2.0 Full Body packages and a wide-variety of Hyperice products. Read about their recovery room and others like it here.
2. Recovery in Training
ENERGi Fitness incorporates recovery time into every group fitness class. For example, a 30-minute class includes one to two minutes, and a 45-minute class includes five to seven minutes. This time includes stretching, foam rolling or both. Find more ideas here.
3. Increased Offerings
24 Hour Fitness has increased its recovery classes 33% since the summer of 2021. One such class is “Modus” which combines cardio, strength and meditation. Plus, certain locations will soon be offering cryotherapy, vitamin shots and IV drip infusions of nutrients.
EXTRA CREDIT: Check out this in-depth active recovery article from NASM.
Some of this is new and some of it is not. But, it’s key to keep this topic on your radar and be aware of the newest offerings.
As cryotherapy, repercussive therapy, IV drip infusions, etc. become more prominent, your students may start to expect such offerings from you. It may be far down the road, but like on a road trip, it doesn’t hurt to look at the directions to see what turns may lie ahead.
