WELLNESS

Health club

A health club is a place which houses exercise equipment for the purpose of physical exercise. There exist specific health clubs that specialize in catering for female exercisers and do not allow any male patrons on the premises. In order to cater for these types of exercisers, many health clubs offer a ladies-only workout area. Health clubs offer a collective and often entertaining and informal form of working out or bodybuilding beyond the structure of the classic gym.

Facilities & Services

Main Workout Area

Most health clubs have a main workout area, which primarily consists of free weights like dumbbells and barbells and exercise machines. This area often includes mirrors so that exercisers can check and maintain correct posture during their workout.

Cardio Area/Theatre

Cardio theatre including treadmills, stationary bikes and tv displays

A cardio theatre or cardio area includes many types of cardiovascular training-related equipment is located. This equipment usually consists of rowing machines, stationary exercise bikes, elliptical trainers and treadmills. These areas often include a number of audio-visual displays (either integrated into the equipment, or placed on walls around the area itself) in order to keep exercisers entertained during long cardio workout sessions.

Group Exercise Classes

Most newer health clubs offer group exercise classes that are run throughout the week by qualified fitness instructors. Many types of group exercise classes exist, but generally these include classes based on aerobics, cycling (spin cycle), boxing, high intensity, yoga, pilates and muscle training. Health clubs with swimming pools often offer aqua aerobics classes

Sports Facilities

Some health clubs offer sports facilities such as a swimming pool, squash court or boxing area. In some cases, additional fees are charged for the use of these facilities.

Personal Training

Most health clubs employ personal trainers, to which members have access to for training/fitness/nutrition/health advice and knowledge. Personal Trainers can help write a customised fitness routine, sometimes including a nutrition plan, to help members achieve their goals. They can also monitor and train with members. More often than not, access to personal trainers involves an additional hourly fee.

Other Services

Newer health clubs generally include health-shops, snack bars, restaurants, child-care facilities, member lounges and cafes. It is not unusual for a sauna, steam shower, or wellness areas to be present. Health clubs generally charge a fee to allow visitors to use the equipment, courses, and other provided services.

Levels of Services and Offerings

Health clubs offer a wide array of services, and as a result the monthly membership prices can vary greatly. A recent study found that the monthly cost of membership ranged from $15 per month at basic chain clubs that offer limited amenities to over $200 per month at spa-oriented clubs that cater to families and those seeking social activities in addition to a workout. In addition, some clubs such as many local YMCAs offer per-use punchcards or one-time fees for those seeking to use the club on an as-needed basis.

Costs can be altered through the purchase of a higher-level membership, such as a Founders or a Life membership. Such memberships often have a high up-front cost but a lower monthly rate. Bally's, Lifetime Fitness, and other large chains offer these memberships, but the tend to work out financial for those who use the club frequently and hold the membership for years.