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Specifier: Body at rest
Recovery is firmly established as a core pillar of overall fitness. From percussive treatments to full-on recovery suites, Julie Cramer looks at the tech that’s driving the movement
Our Recovery Lab is designed for athletes and teams, creating a dedicated space to optimise recovery and enhance performance through technologies. It includes heat therapy, with Finnish saunas for deep dry heat and sport infrared cabins for targeted muscle relaxation. Dry float therapy, with Zerobody Dry Float, promotes blood flow, reduces muscle tension, and supports psycho-physical recovery.
Cold therapy features Ice Bath Pro for immersive cold-water recovery and Zerobody Cryo, a dry alternative to cryotherapy that ensures safe, controlled cold exposure.
Using Recovery Lab offers health club members significant physiological benefits. During warm-up, it prepares the body and enhances mental focus, reducing injury risk. Post-activity, it aids recovery by minimising muscle soreness and preventing overexertion, ultimately improving sleep quality.
On rest days, members can engage in programmes of preventive care that promote psycho-physical resilience. Additionally, for those dealing with injuries, Recovery Lab’s technologies facilitate faster recovery, ensuring members can return to training safely.
Offering free trials or demo sessions can showcase the benefits firsthand. Educational workshops can inform members about the physiological advantages of recovery therapies, while success stories from athletes can build credibility.
Incorporating the Recovery Lab into training programmes and promoting it as an essential tool for injury prevention and improved overall wellbeing can also attract more members.
The trend is being driven by the growing understanding that rest is as crucial as training for long-term performance.
Scientific research highlights the importance of both physical and mental recovery to reducing injury risks and improving decision-making. In the future, these methods will continue to evolve, integrating more personalised and effective solutions for enhanced physical and mental wellbeing.
Our ice baths are popular in health clubs, physiotherapy spaces and recovery suites. They’re single-user ice baths that are built for business and performance.
The Fitness range offers a choice of cold water experiences, from ‘Fitness Chill’ with arctic water as low as 3°C, or ‘Fitness Ice’ at 0°C for a true ice bath experience. Our certified multi-stage filtration system ensures crystal-clear water, and baths are quickly installed through an easy plug-in option with no plumbing required.
Cold water immersion supports the reduction of chronic inflammation and also helps manage stress. Ice baths are used as a physiological stressor to build resilience in the nervous system and facilitate deeper relaxation through parasympathetic activation, once the initial gasp has passed. Users can feel great for hours afterwards from an emotional standpoint.
Ice baths work on the idea that when we’re challenged, we’re changed. So focus the marketing on the nervous system and emotional wellbeing, because it’s the truth and it resonates more with people. We believe a peace like no other can be found in an ice bath and that’s where a ’stronger you’ comes from. It builds the nervous system so people are ready for whatever else life throws at them. These are powerful messages for marketing.
People are spending more time in nervous system overload, whether physically or mentally. Burnout, anxiety and depression are at an all-time high and people are open to different ways to address this. Life isn’t easy, so ways to decompress, recover and come back stronger are more relevant than ever before.
More: www.brassmonkey.co
Our Flow System machine with Alternating Deep Flow Technology (ADFT) uses intermittent vacuum therapy that switches between overpressure and underpressure, to stimulate lymphatic drainage. The flow moves from the tips of the toes to the ADFT locking mechanism on the lower ribcage, and also activates parts of the body not being directly treated.
Athletes use it to stay at peak performance while avoiding trauma and overtraining, while others love its skin-tightening and body-contouring effects.
Flow System also provides passive muscle training to support quality of life and independence for seniors. For people with a sedentary lifestyle, and those looking for rehab after trauma or surgery, the system can stimulate blood flow and boost rejuvenation in a natural, touchless way.
The system’s software tailors treatments to each user’s specific goals. With six target areas and 30 treatments levels, ranging from 8 to 24 minutes each, it delivers a wide range of benefits.
Health club members can use the Flow System for training preparation, faster recovery and long-term vitality. It can enhance circulation, flush out toxins and reduce inflammation, as well as boosting collagen production, improving skin elasticity, and preventing muscle atrophy through passive stimulation.
They can highlight its benefits when added to traditional recovery protocols and position it as a professional upgrade to optimise training.
They could place digital screens or posters in high-traffic areas, explaining ADFT and its benefits and offering it as a premium membership add-on.
It’s becoming a core pillar of fitness, hospitality, corporate wellness, beauty and physiotherapy. We expect to see more AI-driven personalisation, integrated wellness memberships and smart recovery lounges in health clubs in the future.
More: www.artofcryo.com
This powerful whole-body red light therapy bed has 17,000 red and near-infrared LEDs and six optimised use-case settings for 15-minute automated sessions.
A patent-pending power distribution technology makes Prism energy efficient, consuming four times less energy than most other industry models.
Whole-body red light therapy penetrates the skin to stimulate the mitochondria to produce more ATP (cellular energy). In turn, it can reduce pain and inflammation, alleviate symptoms of autoimmune conditions, improve neuropathy, aid in weight loss and accelerate the body’s natural recovery process up to 10 times.
They can pair red light therapy with existing treatments and services, as it enhances the effects of many other therapies and can help recovery after workouts.
We recommend selling red light therapy in large packages or memberships to encourage clients to incorporate it into their wellness routine. Selling monthly, recurring memberships gives users the best outcomes.
Red light therapy has gained a lot of traction in the industry due to it being an unattended and comfortable treatment.
It has a wide array of benefits that can help people with a multitude of conditions. It has minimal contraindications (pregnancy is the only one), so is helpful to most, including those with pacemakers, metal implants, prosthetics and medical conditions.
The HydroMassage Lounge offers a personalised, full-body heated massage. It has a broad appeal to all demographics regardless of member age or fitness levels, as most everyone appreciates a relaxing massage for post-workout recovery to alleviate sore, achy muscles.
Sessions are only 10 minutes in length, and HydroMassage provides the convenience of remaining fully clothed and completely dry. Using the interactive touchscreen, members have full access to control the intensity and speed of the massage, in addition to targeting up to 60 specific points on the body. Members often return to the gym’s recovery area as a daily destination to experience the soothing benefits.
There’s a common misconception that recovery should be in a private room off the gym floor, when in fact, this is the opposite of what works best. The smartest approach to drive awareness is to position recovery services like our HydroMassage or CryoLounge in open, visible spaces, as when members see others experiencing the products, they’re more likely to try them as well. Plus, every new member should receive a free trial on club tours.
Thanks to sports science, we have much more knowledge about the importance of recovery after exercise. Now more than ever, members understand that a balanced, total body approach to wellness should include fitness, diet, sleep, proper rest, and recovery.
With the sharp increase in demand for recovery, most health club operators have all started incorporating it in their models, as the question has very much transitioned from “if” to “how” you should incorporate recovery in your club.
More: www.wellnessspace.com
The Profi Sauna is one of our most popular solutions for commercial wellness, offering nearly unlimited configurations to allow for the creation of bespoke designs.
One function of the sauna is the Vitality Boost – an automated programme that re-creates the infusion ceremonies traditionally performed by sauna masters.
Using targeted technology, heat, moisture and scent are distributed evenly throughout the cabin to have a specific effect on the bathers. The system ensures consistently high infusion quality aided by individually-selectable settings, allowing clubs to offer themed and scheduled sauna events.
Frimas Ice Steam Room and the Espuro Foam Steam Bath are both additional concepts that can make up a multisensory wellness experience.
These innovations support recuperation and enhance wellbeing. Regular heat treatments promote circulation, strengthen the immune system, support muscle regeneration and help release tension. Especially after training, they speed up recovery and contribute to the mineral supply of the bones.
A holistic wellness offering creates real value, supporting quick post-training recovery and promoting stress reduction.
Health clubs can position themselves as exclusive recovery oases when complemented by dedicated relaxation zones and innovative wellness ceremonies such as our Foam Steam Bath – an attractive upgrade for both existing and new members.
The trend is being driven by increasing stress levels, growing awareness of health and the need for sustainable regeneration.
Personalised, holistic multisensory wellness experiences, as well as innovative hot/cold concepts, will continue to gain popularity.
New technologies enable wellness providers to optimise their offerings, focusing on individually-customisable, scientifically-backed recovery concepts that revitalise body and mind.
More: www.klafs.com
Our saunas combine infrared, gemstones, LED light, Himalayan salt, video, sound and oxygen and their multiple configurations adapt to various business models.
At the core of our technology are carbon emitters that not only warm the body but also activate, amplify, generate, and absorb multiple sources of energy.
When exposed to infrared, stones such as jade, tourmaline, pink ferric oxide and bian emit their own unique infrared wavelengths. This combination offers enhanced benefits while maintaining the beloved dry sauna experience.
One of our favourite benefits is balance: quartz possesses birefringent properties, which means it can amplify both light and sound. This unique characteristic allows us to offer experiences that combine specific LED wavelengths with curated sound sessions. The augmented light and sound create a unique and immersive experience, enhancing a client’s wellness journey. EMF-absorbing stones are also part of our systems, with tourmaline or pink ferric oxide included in different models.
Some operators are offering 10-15 minute post-workout sessions for a cleansing experience, or 30-minute sessions for hyperthermic conditioning.
During off-peak hours, they can maximise the offerings by transforming the sauna into a versatile workout area. We also have professional sports teams that use them as a physical therapy space.
Clubs can also offer co-ed or group sessions during off-peak hours, with some locations choosing to incorporate non-electric bikes or pre-recorded yoga, Pilates, meditation, strength or breathwork sessions.
It’s a critical part of any comprehensive wellness routine. Recovery areas are gaining on the cardio space, so fitness spaces need to consider offering multi-treatment technologies to support muscle recovery, pain management, relaxation and mental wellbeing.
More: www.wellness-usa.com
Our Wellsystem RedWave light therapy models elevate recovery and both are suitable for gym and health club environments.
Harnessing a gentle and non-invasive combination of regenerative red and near-infrared light to aid recovery, Wellsystem RedWave units offer full-body LED light therapy. A 15-minute post-workout session promotes faster recovery in the musculoskeletal system through the stimulation of cellular activity at specific tissue depths. Members enjoy a relaxing and revitalising experience that offers enhanced recovery benefits.
The light activates the mitochondria so they produce more ATP and this improved metabolic activity enables faster breakdown of lactate, while relaxation and regeneration of the muscles helps prevent fatigue. Members recover faster and train better.
The red and near infrared light gets deep into the joints and tissues, increasing circulation, oxygenation and cellular repair. Additional benefits include reduced stress and pain and better sleep.
Both tap into the increasing demand for recovery-focused products and most users report a noticeable effect after the first few applications.
A simple communication to members highlighting benefits and ease of use can create an in-demand service that can also be used to maximise member engagement and as a retention tool. Activation assets and staff training are provided.
It’s increasingly recognised as an essential part of a workout and wellness journey. Members are actively seeking a more holistic approach to their ‘healthy body and healthy mind’ routine and there is a growing expectation that membership will provide access to such products.
We see this trend continuing to the point where recovery products are established as integral to success in all health clubs.
More: www.revive-redlight.uk
The Power Plate Pro7 is our leading vibration training and recovery tool widely used in health clubs.
This whole-body vibration (WBV) technology activates muscles, improves circulation and accelerates recovery. It caters for all with its touchscreen interface, pre-programmed workouts and customisable settings.
Using high-frequency vibrations, it stimulates muscle reflexes, helping users recover faster, reduce soreness and increase flexibility and mobility, while also promoting lymphatic drainage, reducing inflammation and aiding healing. By activating stabiliser muscles, it enhances balance and coordination.
The Pro7’s larger platform and sturdy design make it ideal for high-traffic health club environments.
With science-backed benefits and ease of use, it’s an investment in holistic wellness and rehabilitation.
By promoting its benefits through targeted campaigns and emphasising enhanced performance, reduced soreness and quicker recovery to appeal to fitness-focused individuals.
Offering free demonstrations or recovery classes can also engage members and highlight its effectiveness, while sharing success stories and testimonials on social media or within the club encourages word-of-mouth recommendations.
Special offers, such as discounted trials or package deals, can motivate members to try it.
It’s evolving into a proactive healthcare movement, with health clubs at the forefront of holistic wellbeing.
The integration of medical, fitness, and wellness supports a shift from traditional recovery to pre-covery, emphasising activation and warm-ups to prevent injury and enhance performance.
Innovations such as vibration therapy, red light and wearable tech enable personalised, measurable recovery, blending physical restoration with mental wellness for a more comprehensive approach to health and longevity.
More: www.powerplate.com
Our best selling product in the wellness space is our Normatec 3 Legs, dynamic air compression device. We’ve seen premium clubs such as Third Space, Equinox and David Lloyd create incredible recovery rooms for members and the members can’t get enough of them.
Because of our patented and scientifically-validated precision Pulse programme, the Normatec 3 Legs reduces inflammation, increases circulation and lymphatic draining, allowing members to recover faster.
We make sure staff are fully trained up about the products, so they can correctly inform members.
Recovery is more than a trend. Plain and simple, people want to feel better and move without pain. It’s a human need and we’re creating technology to help them do this.
Thousands of health clubs are building recovery rooms and programming to meet this consumer demand, which is fast becoming an expectation.
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