Spa Trends for 2008: Get Your Business In Order Now

The news is in on spa trends for the coming year. New ideas in health, beauty and fitness are thriving in the spa world. Take a glimpse at what’s new for 2008. Starting with a shift from pampering to wellness. Of course pampering will still be an important part of the spa experience, but as baby boomers get older, followed by generation X which is adding to its age every year, the idea of wellness in spas is taking hold.

One trend to watch for is the Feng Shui’d gym. Mirrored walls and fluorescent lighting are out, and fine art, waterfalls and the ambiance that leads to relaxation is taking its place. The lead is being made by ambitious gym design projects at such famous spas as Gwinganna in Australia, Clay in New York and Techno Gym company in Italy, famous for the Kinesis system. Spas, gyms and fitness studios are now being thought of as places to improve the health of the mind and the spirit as well as the body.

One definition of wellness is the quality or the state of being in good health, actively sought after. Spas are only one of the many industries affected by the trend towards wellness. Breakthroughs in medicine and the desire on the part of so many people to become more youthful in appearance and vital in the way they feel are blending with nutrition, education and fitness. Add the alternative practices of reiki, energy medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and the wellness swing is in full bloom. Make sure that your spa is cashing in.

Have you heard of luxury detox or luxury boot camps? Detox programs and boot camps for weight loss have long been thought of as depressing places with hard line supervision, Spartan accommodations and deprivation. Many spas however are providing the needed treatment with nice rooms and nurturing environments – complete with high thread count sheets and spa treatments. Spa-ification of medically guided drug and alcohol rehab centers are utilizing fitness, nutrition, massage and meditation in their programs as well.

Taking sleep seriously is another new trend. Those who want to lose weight especially need to do so. What began as awareness is now a focus. Rancho La Puerta and Red Mountain spas offer “sleeping room only” sleep health workshops. Recent medical strides highlight the importance of sleep for improved productivity, cardiovascular health and many other aspects of health. Take a look at sleep for your clients.