Best new fitness studio and wellness concepts on our radar
Fitness studio design and boutique health & fitness concepts continue to evolve at pace around the world. Here we review some of the more innovative new gym and wellness studio concepts on our radar as gym consultants, from glow in the dark badminton, to infrared sauna studios, EMS training, an innovative bathhouse and a recovery studio.
Perspire - boutique sauna concept - usa
The use of infrared sauna technology at Perspire infrared sauna studios in the US means users benefit from red light colour therapy (chromotherapy) and the benefits of heating their body temperature via near, mid- and far infrared waves.
This technique is said to have a positive effect on muscle tissue, joints and blood flow. It is also a detoxifying process, reducing inflammation and aiding in muscle recovery. It is hard to quantify such things but for those of us who find the heat pleasurable, it’s easier to buy into the pitch although most research points to the the real benefits kicking in after 2-3 sessions each week.
A unique aspect about Perspire is that members are provided with entertainment during their sauna experience, including Netflix or Pandora music streaming, for example.
Studios are located across the USA.
Shuttle In The Dark - fitness studio concept - Malaysia
Shuttle in the Dark is possibly the most daring thing to happen to badminton court design in a while thanks to its glow in the dark visual effects and deliberately Gen-Z target market of gamers.
Players are given glow in the dark rackets, shuttlecocks, and optional vests suited for the futuristic experience of playing in such light conditions. Just as smart gym equipment with an element of A.I. is creeping into the industry, so are dynamic, genre-bending design ideas such as fluoro badminton!
A BWF International tournament grade badminton court mat and net mean that even serious players are catered for.. although perhaps when they are looking for entertainment rather than skill practice!
Located in the Twin Towers Fitness Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Feel Electric - fitness studio concept design UK
Feel Electric is based on EMS - Electro Muscle Stimulation - a method previously only used by athletes needing to stimulate worn out muscles or gently ease back into training after an injury flare up.
Slowly the technology has made its way into the mainstream as it is said to have a wide range of proven benefits such as fat burning properties, an increase in lean body mass, increase in connective tissue strength, cell metabolism, accelerated blood circulation, and the reduction of cellulite.
The Feel Electric studios provide Bodytec equipment that forces the body’s muscles to contract with the use of low impulse frequencies.
Fully certified trainers control the device so it can be tailored to an individual’s comfort level and needs.
Eash EMS training session is just 20-minutes long, said to emulate the length and rigor of a two hour HIIT workout (!).
Clearly most people would prefer to actually perform a HIIT workout but this type of alternative has its place for those with an injury to deal with, severe time limitations or lack of motivation for anything other than a 20-minute session where the machine does a large chunk of the work.
Feel Electric currently have six studios open with another three in the pipeline, all around the UK.
Sense of Self Bathhouse - wellness concept design in Australia
The incorporation of traditional bathing into contemporary lifestyle at Sense of Self in Australia represents elements of European, African, and Japanese bathing practices aimed at enhancing mental and physical health.
This bathing experience offers a variety of massage and treatments, communal bathhouses, and a selection of different programs, such as The Naked Body. T
Clients are invited to disconnect and immerse themselves in their inner world for a short while as an act of self-care.
One of the main features of this bathhouse studio is the premium design concept with marble tiles, indoor biophilia / plants and an oasis-like finish in the glass accents.
Another feature is the lack of exclusivity in the space as none of the spaces are separated by gender while still providing spaces for privacy for those that prefer an alternative option.
Pause Studio - recovery fitness studio concept USA
A striking preference for subtle biophilic interior design touches inspired by natural materials helps set Pause Studio apart from the fitness studio market, signifying its holistic approach to mental and physical fitness.
This US-based mini-chain currently has three locations on the West Coast and their USP is fundamentally about recovery, giving back to the body rather than taking from it, whether by exercise, work or stress.
LED light therapy is said to stimulate the production of collagen and ATP, improving circulation and reducing inflammation caused by exercise, and repairing damaged tissue. For anyone nursing one or more long-term injuries, this type of promise sounds like the Holy Grail, although does come with the caveat of it being effective with regular doses (3-4 times per week) of 20 minutes, making it a considerable investment in the medium-term.
A range of different IV therapies include the signature ‘Pause’ option claiming to enhance sleep, reduce stress and promote mental clarity via a “blend of vitamins, magnesium & glycine”. For any experienced nootropic biohackers we’d expect to see a little more detail in the ingredient list to understand what is going into our system but respect that Pause have their own trade secrets too.
Infrared saunas are intended to help soothe aching muscles after exercise or long stints sitting down at a desk via a full-spectrum infrared sauna treatment that delivers all the heat and less of the sweat.
Health claims to do with traditional saunas typically focus on eliminating toxins, a somewhat nebulous concept in our opinion as it takes more than 15 minutes of sweating to make any tangible difference on the toxin levels in our body.
Far-infrared saunas (FIRS) use an infrared element that radiates heat in the far-IR wavelength (10 µm). Temperatures in FIRS range between 40 and 60°C. IR heat penetrates more deeply than in a traditional sauna, which is why infrared sauna therapy is so effective - facilitating an intense sweat with reduced discomfort and cardiovascular strain. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4493260/
Finally, ‘contrast therapy’, or hot-cold therapy’, as the name suggests involves alternating hot and cold treatments, going from an infrared sauna to an ice bath, Wim Hof style, to (again, their claim) ‘improve circulation’ and de-stress, two fairly intangible benefits, as well as improving mental focus and aiding in recovery. For us contrast therapy unlocks something deeply primal inside us, and its benefits are hard to describe but it certainly makes us feel alive like nothing else on earth!
https://pausestudio.com/
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