A
health club (commonly referred to as a
gymThe word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
) is a place which houses
exercise equipmentAn exercise machine is any machine used for physical exercise. These range from simple spring-like devices to computerized electromechanical rides to recirculating-stream swimming pools...
for the purpose of physical exercise.
Most health clubs have a main workout area, which primarily consists of
free weightsWeights are exercise equipment used for strength training. The term is typically used as a shortened form of the term free weights, but it can also refer to any exercise machine that uses weighted plates to generate the major opposing force....
including dumbbells,
barbellA barbell is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight training, weightlifting and powerlifting. It consists of a metal bar, one or more sets of weight plates, and a set of collars. Barbells range in length from to...
s and exercise machines. This area often include mirrors so that exercisers can monitor and maintain correct posture during their workout.
A cardio theater or cardio area includes many types of
cardiovascularAerobic exercise is exercise that involves or improves oxygen consumption by the body. Aerobic means "with oxygen", and refers to the use of oxygen in the body's metabolic or energy-generating process...
training-related equipment such as rowing machines,
stationary exercise bikesAn exercise bicycle or bike, or stationary bicycle, or Exercycle is a device with saddle, pedals, and some form of handlebars arranged as on a bicycle, but used as exercise equipment rather than transportation...
,
elliptical trainerAn elliptical trainer is a stationary exercise machine used to simulate walking or running without causing excessive pressure to the joints, hence decreasing the risk of impact injuries....
s and
treadmillA treadmill is an exercise machine for running or walking while staying in one place. The word treadmill traditionally refers to a type of mill which was operated by a person or animal treading steps of a wheel to grind grain...
s.
A
health club (commonly referred to as a
gymThe word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual education of young men...
) is a place which houses
exercise equipmentAn exercise machine is any machine used for physical exercise. These range from simple spring-like devices to computerized electromechanical rides to recirculating-stream swimming pools...
for the purpose of physical exercise.
Main Workout Area
Most health clubs have a main workout area, which primarily consists of
free weightsWeights are exercise equipment used for strength training. The term is typically used as a shortened form of the term free weights, but it can also refer to any exercise machine that uses weighted plates to generate the major opposing force....
including dumbbells,
barbellA barbell is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight training, weightlifting and powerlifting. It consists of a metal bar, one or more sets of weight plates, and a set of collars. Barbells range in length from to...
s and exercise machines. This area often include mirrors so that exercisers can monitor and maintain correct posture during their workout.
Cardio Area/Theatre
A cardio theater or cardio area includes many types of
cardiovascularAerobic exercise is exercise that involves or improves oxygen consumption by the body. Aerobic means "with oxygen", and refers to the use of oxygen in the body's metabolic or energy-generating process...
training-related equipment such as rowing machines,
stationary exercise bikesAn exercise bicycle or bike, or stationary bicycle, or Exercycle is a device with saddle, pedals, and some form of handlebars arranged as on a bicycle, but used as exercise equipment rather than transportation...
,
elliptical trainerAn elliptical trainer is a stationary exercise machine used to simulate walking or running without causing excessive pressure to the joints, hence decreasing the risk of impact injuries....
s and
treadmillA treadmill is an exercise machine for running or walking while staying in one place. The word treadmill traditionally refers to a type of mill which was operated by a person or animal treading steps of a wheel to grind grain...
s. These areas often include a number of audio-visual displays (either integrated into the equipment, or placed on walls around the area itself) in order to keep exercisers entertained during long cardio workout sessions.
Group Exercise Classes
Most newer health clubs offer group exercise classes that are conducted by qualified fitness instructors. Many types of group exercise classes exist, but generally these include classes based on
aerobicsAerobics is a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines with the goal of improving all elements of fitness...
, cycling (spin cycle), boxing,
high intensity trainingHigh Intensity Training is a form of strength training popularized in the 1970s by Arthur Jones, the founder of Nautilus. The training focuses on performing quality weightlifting repetitions to the point of momentary muscular failure...
, yoga, pilates and muscle training. Health clubs with swimming pools often offer aqua aerobics classes.
Sports Facilities
Some health clubs offer sports facilities such as a
swimming poolA swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is an artificially enclosed body of water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest and deepest is the Olympic size...
s,
squashSquash is a racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball.Squash is recognized by the IOC and remains in contention for incorporation in a future Olympic program....
courts or boxing areas. In some cases, additional fees are charged for the use of these facilities.
Personal Training
Most health clubs employ personal trainers who are accessible to members for training/fitness/nutrition/health advice and consultation. Personal trainers can devise a customized fitness routine, sometimes including a nutrition plan, to help clients achieve their goals. They can also monitor and train with members. More often than not, access to personal trainers involves an additional hourly fee.
Other Services
Newer health clubs generally include health-shops, snack bars, restaurants, child-care facilities, member lounges and cafes. It is not unusual for a
saunaA sauna is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions, or an establishment with one or more of these and auxiliary facilities. These facilities derive from the Finnish sauna...
,
steam showerA steam shower is a type of bathing where a humidifying steam generator produces water vapor that is dispersed around a person's body. A steam shower is essentially a steam room that offers the typical features of a bathroom shower...
, or
wellness areasWellness is generally used to mean a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. It has been used in the context of alternative medicine since Halbert L. Dunn, M.D. began using the phrase high level wellness in the 1950s...
to be present. Health clubs generally charge a fee to allow visitors to use the equipment, courses, and other provided services.
Levels of Services and Offerings
Health clubs offer a wide array of 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 those seeking social activities in addition to a workout . In addition, some clubs such as many local YMCAs offer per-use punchcards or one-time fees for those seeking to use the club on an as-needed basis.
Costs can be altered 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. Bally's, Lifetime Fitness, and other large chains offer these memberships, but from a fiscal perspective, these type of memberships are most likely to be beneficial to those who use the club frequently and hold their memberships for years.
See also
- Stan Bennett's Health and Fitness
- American Family Fitness
American Family Fitness is a Richmond, VA-based chain of fitness clubs, operated by Richmond Fitness, Inc. It has been in business since 1988, and claims 300+ employees and a revenue of over $7 million annually...
- Gold's Gym
Gold's Gym International, Inc. is an international chain of co-ed fitness centers originally started in California by Joe Gold. Each gym features a wide array of exercise equipment and personal trainers to assist clients....
- YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide movement of more than 45 million members from 124 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs....