It’s not just for seniors
By Sue Nelson
There are more than 3-million U.S. fitness professionals helping more than 73-million Americans stay healthy through exercise, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. The fitness industry plays a central and essential role in promoting and maintaining mental, physical, and social health and well-being.
Although aquatic facilities tend to market and promote water-exercise programs to “seniors,” most of us know that aquatic exercise is for all ages of different fitness levels. By having added a wellness component into services, guests will learn the “how, what, and why” of aquatic exercise.
In implementing the following six steps, aquatic facilities can increase membership and their bottom line:
1. Gather health histories and lifestyle evaluations. Collect detailed information and keep it on-site for appropriate and safe intervention. Know each member’s health status, risks, problem areas, and precautions to guide effective programming and optimal participation.
2. Conduct fitness evaluations. Measure abilities, implement activities, and then re-measure those abilities to show results associated with water exercise. Focus on members’ needs to provide a result-oriented approach, as opposed to diverting their attention to just having “fun” in a particular class or program.