The
Hottest New Spa Trends
The
popularity of spa treatments and retreats
continue to grow, as more women and men
find themselves relaxing with the help
of day spas, massage therapists and health
clubs. As the need for these healthy healing
alternatives increase, experts in the
spa industry predict an even larger variety
of extraordinary services available to
customers in the coming year. According
to the online spa resource locator SpaFinder,
the industry will see an increase in health,
fitness and spa combination therapies
upcoming years.
“Spas
are sparking important new ideas in everything
from health, fitness and beauty, to architecture,
design and cuisine,” said SpaFinder,
Inc. President Susie Ellis. “As we
look at these spa trends, we're
seeing the future — from where we
live, to how we plan a family, to how
well we sleep.”
As
the rise of spa residence communities
continue to grow, SpaFinder continues
to track the best and newest innovations
in spa treatments and offering. Massage,
spa and health club lovers worldwide can
more eco-friendly services and centers
in 2008, according to Ellis. Additionally,
2008 will bring on a more holistic approach
to the day spa. Here's a look at the newest,
upcoming trends:
Top
10 Spa Trends
The
Feng Shui Gym
Goodbye mirrored walls and fluorescent
lighting; hello waterfalls, fine art and
soulful design. For the past few decades,
health spas and gyms have retained a relatively
similar look — until now. Led by
ambitious gym design projects at spas
like Gwinganna in Australia, Clay in New
York and Italy’s forward thinking
Techno Gym company, spa gyms and fitness
studios are being reconceived as places
to not only tone the body, but also elevate
the mind and spirit. In addition, look
for fitness spaces to take a more prominent
role in the spa setting due to a growing
emphasis on wellness.
Star
Therapists
When all is said and done, a spa treatment
is only as good as the therapist who provides
it. However, for years consumers have
continued to be dazzled by spas’
innovative designs and not their seemingly
anonymous therapists. Look for this to
change in the upcoming year as savvy spa-goers
gain an appreciation and seek out therapists
with great skill. The spa therapist will
take a new role similar to star hairstylists,
becoming a critical asset for any establishment.
SpaFinder is ahead of the curve with its
gallery of star therapists
who were honored in the Therapist
Hall of Fame.
Wellness,
Wellness, Wellness
A focus on wellness is seeping into all
aspects of everyday life, including the
spa. Spa wellness is set to become the
next trillion-dollar revolution as it
teams up with scientific and medical advances
and health and nutrition trends. As the
consumers' desire to be healthier and
more youthful increases, spas are joining
in with treatments that promote overall
well-being including fitness, nutrition,
energy medicine, reiki and Chinese medicine.
Luxury
Detox & Luxury Bootcamps
Detox programs and weight loss bootcamps
have long been associated with deprivation,
spartan accommodations and hard-line supervision.
However, as the spa industry adapts the
bootcamp and detox trend, these popular
retreats become nurturing celebrations
hosted in luxurious spa-like environments.
The spa industry will be putting its soft
touches on everything from alcohol rehab
centers, fitness bootcamps and weight
loss clinics.
Spa
Real Estate
In the last few year, even residential
communities have added the spa/healthy
living component to their properties.
This trend will continue with force in
2008, as more condominium, apartment and
gated communities begin developing larger
and more accommodating spas and health
clubs. Additionally, spa-based residential
communities will continue to pop up across
the country, offering real estate buyers
a home surrounded by the best in healthy
activities, spa treatments and fitness
equipment.
Spa
Naps
As medical and health professional worldwide
place an even largest emphasis on the
importance of sound sleep, the spa industry
will too encourage their customers to
take part in this important health pillar.
In 2008, spa-goers can expect their nearby
day spas and wellness centers to begin
offering sleeping rooms for their guests.
Additionally, treatment rooms will be
designed with images, lighting and sounds
that encourage sleep during massages and
other treatments. As more medical research
points to the impact of sleep on weight
loss, wellness centers too will include
the sleeping trend in their offerings.
The shape of things to come — the
Yelo Sleep Cab in Manhattan, which offers
high-tech sleep chambers, designed to
induce rejuvenating power naps within
minutes. In fact, Yelo is opening two
new locations in 2008.
Fertility
Tranquility
Unfortunately, many couples often times
having difficulty getting pregnant. Often
times stress can be a culprit in this.
To help those parents-to-be relax; the
spa health industry may soon being offering
more treatments and diet regimes for its
clients trying to get pregnant. Centers
around the United States are already offering
programs including yoga, reflexology and
acupuncture that are believed to trigger
fertility. Don't expect the spa-baby connection
to end at conception either. More ad more
parents and expecting mothers are using
spa treatments and retreats as a great
way to relax and preparing for their impending
arrival.
Hydro
& Thermal Super-Experiences
How many spas would you have to visit
to experience a Balinese multi-steam bath,
an authentic Finnish Sauna, a Greek Herbal
Bath, an Indian Blossom Steam Room, a
Japanese Salt Steam Bath, a Laconium,
a Tepidarium, a Turkish Hammam, a Tyrolean
Sauna, multi-sensory showers, reflexology
footbaths, spa pool, water beds and a
Zen garden? The answer — just one!
You’ll find them all at Aqua Sana,
which is part of the “World of Spa”
concept at the Centre Parc family holiday
village in the United Kingdom. These spa
'theme parks' will becoming increasingly
popular in the new year, offering spa-goers
a one-stop spa center with all the treatments
they could ever need.
Urban
Spa Explorer
Young urbanities are quickly becoming
one of spa industry's largest consumer
bases. As these city dwellers continue
to discover new spas and up-and-coming
treatments, the idea of self-pampering
is growing. In addition, these urban spa
goers are helping uncover some the best
in vibrant, affordable treatment centers.
These urban spas, sometimes tucked into
unassuming street buildings, are the newest
treats in spa-going. From Russian bathhouses
to Thai massage establishments; the small
urban spa will continue to grow in popularity
in 2008.
Plug-in
or Unplug
Is it more relaxing to go to a spa and
stay plugged in or unplug from our increasingly
hyper-connected world and get away from
it all? Many spa centers offer their clients
a haven where they can turn off that Blackberry
for a few hours and relax in ultimate
peace and quiet. However, a growing number
of spa and health centers understand that
their customers want to stay connected
with the outside world while enjoying
some rest and relaxation. According to
a recent SpaFinder survey, one of every
five spas is now offering their clients
the option to keep their cell phones,
laptops and PDAs with them during treatment
hours.
(Source: SpaFinder)
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