Health club
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A health club (also known as a fitness club, fitness center, health spa, weight room and commonly referred to as a
In recent years, the number of fitness and health services have increased, expanding the interest among the population. Today, health clubs and fitness centers are a reference of health services, rising the adherence to physical activity.[1]
Facilities and services
Main workout area
Most health clubs have a main workout area, which primarily consists of
Cardio area/exercise theatre
A cardio theater or cardio area includes many types of
Group exercise classes
Most 2010-era health clubs offer group exercise classes that are conducted by certified
Sports facilities
Some health clubs offer sports facilities such as swimming pools, squash courts, indoor running tracks, ice rinks, or boxing areas. In some cases, additional fees are charged for the use of these facilities.
Personal training
Most health clubs employ
Other services
Newer health clubs generally include health-shops selling equipment, snack/protein bars and
Levels of services and offerings
Health clubs offer many services and as a result, the monthly membership prices can vary greatly. A recent study of American clubs found that the monthly cost of membership ranged from US$15 per month at basic chain clubs that offer limited amenities to over US$200 per month at spa-oriented clubs that cater to families and to those seeking social activities in addition to a workout.[4] In addition, some clubs - such as many local YMCAs and JCCs - offer per-use punch cards or one-time fees for those seeking to use the club on an as-needed basis. These one-time fees are commonly referred to as day passes.
Costs can vary 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, making them potentially beneficial to those who use the club frequently and hold their memberships for years.
Types of services in health clubs
Health clubs in North America offer a number of facilities and services with different price points for different levels of services. Some services have differently-priced levels or tiers, such as regular, pro, platinum and gold facilities or packages. Some of the health and fitness facilities use cardio equipment, fitness screening, resistance-building equipment, pro shops, artificial sun-beds, health spas and saunas. The membership plans vary from as low as $20 per month, for value-priced gyms to as high as $700 per month. These health clubs, especially in the United States, are equipped with a range of facilities and provide personal trainer support.
History
In 1840, Hippolyte Triat, a French vaudevillian strongman, established the first commercial gymnasium in Brussels,[5] in response to the growing interest for physical exercise. In 1847 he opened his Gymnase Triat in Paris, introducing membership fees with varying rates for men, women, and children.[6] The first health clubs for the general public were probably opened in Santa Monica, California in 1947 by Vic Tanny.[7]
See also
References
- PMID 32326141.
- ^ New York Magazine, Apr 24, 1989, p. 117
- ISSN 2071-1050.
- ^ "guide of gym club".
- ^ Brighton, Wellard & Clark 2020, p. 67.
- ^ Buck, Josh (1999-12-01). "The Evolution of Health Clubs". Club Industry. ClubIndustry. Archived from the original on 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
Hippolyte Triat, a former vaudevillian strongman, opened a gymnasium in Paris in 1847, apparently responding to this rising interest in exercise. The Gymnase Triat is significant because it was among the first clubs to charge for membership; the gym had different rates for men, women and children [...]
- ^
Roberts, Scott (1999). The business of personal training. Vol. 1995. Human Kinetics. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-87322-605-9. Retrieved 2010-12-27.opened an exercise facility in a Second Street loft in Santa Monica, California.
The earliest health clubs designed for the general public were probably the ones started back in 1947 when Vic Tanny
- Brighton, James; Wellard, Ian; Clark, Amy (2020). Gym Bodies: Exploring Fitness Cultures. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-21410-6.
- Carroll, L. "Choosing a health club", MSNBC Health, December 19, 2003. Accessed February 23, 2008.
External links
- Media related to Health clubs at Wikimedia Commons