Spa Trends to Watch for in 2008: Make Sure Your Aesthetics Business is Keeping Pace

Number one, the “Feng Shui’d” Gym. Instead of the standard mirrored walls and fluorescent lighting now fine art and waterfalls are in. Projects like Gwinganna in Australia and Clay in New York, well known spa gyms and fitness studios are now seen as the place to “reinvent” the body as well as the mind and the spirit.

Number two,  A Star (Therapist) Is Born. It should be obvious that  a spa treatment is only as good as the therapist involved, and man therapists are getting superstar reputations and being sought out by those in the know for having great skills, knowledge and the caring spirit.

Number three is Wellness, Wellness, Wellness. And did we say wellness? Wellness is gaining popularity as baby boomers get older and want a more youthful appearance. In our modern age we have sick houses, sickness models and sick  just about everything else. Reiki and traditional Chinese medicine are becoming important aspects of the spa world.

Number four is  Luxury Detox and Luxury Bootcamps. Long associated with deprivation, now you can get the same detox results with a spa setting. High thread count sheets, nice rooms, nurturing environment and spa treatments. Sounds great, let’s detox.  

Number five, Spa Real Estate Mania. Developers are adding spas to their properties and hotels and resorts are adding condo units to those properties that have spas. SpaFinder thinks the number of mixed use developments with a spa focus will grow to 300 this next year. Health conscious baby boomers are driving the focus.

Number six,  Taking Sleep Seriously, Especially if you Want to Lose Weight. Medical studies show the importance of sleep for improved productivity at work, better cardiovascular health and even for weight loss. More hotel spas this year will add sleep

Number seven, Fertility Tranquility. Many people have waited to begin a family and now these couples find that getting pregnant isn’t as easy as they thought. Stress is often the culprit and many wanna be parents are checking out the spa as a place of less stress. Also fertility oriented acupuncture. Another big thing here is the babymoon, a honeymoon for those who want to become parents for conception purposes.

Number eight, Hydro and Thermal Super-Experiences. The European style comes to America. Tyrolean Sauna, multi sensory showers, reflexology footbaths, and Zen gardens.  

Number ten, Plug-in or Unplug. The controversy is over cell phones and Blackberries. Many spas ban them, and others allow them.