In light of the growing interest in post-exercise recovery, it’s a good time to examine how well your facility prioritizes recovery and makes related tools and therapies available and accessible to its members.

The post-workout recovery is a crucial component of fitness thanks to its ability to curb muscle soreness and damage, fatigue and inflammation. Taking time to recover is also integral to improving physical performance.

It’s important to note that recovery isn’t reserved for those training for triathalons or competing professionally. Even the body of a weekend warrior deserves – and needs – rest and relief following intense physical activity. And with so many Americans feeling stressed, you can expect some to seek out recovery offerings not to treat muscle fatigue but in pursuit of wellness and relaxation.

So how does a center go about catering to a broad range of people and their various needs?

Offer Active and Passive Recovery Options

As with training programs, recovery is extremely individualized and largely dependent on the type and intensity of exercise being done – along with the muscle groups involved. But workout recovery should incorporate both active and passive techniques.

Active recovery, or the “cool-down phase,” involves slow body movement aimed at reducing lactic acid buildup in the muscles; increasing blood flow to muscle tissue; removing metabolic waste from the muscles; and reducing muscle tears and pain. These tactics include but are not limited to:

• low-intensity exercise like walking, yoga, biking and swimming
• myofascial release (i.e., foam rolling)
• stretching
• tai chi

On the contrary, passive recovery requires stillness. This category includes:

• massage
• compression garments
• water immersion
• contrast (hot and cold) bath therapy
• cryotherapy
• electrostimulation
• sleep
• rest days

Wondering if any of the aforementioned tactics are more effective at warding off some of the side effects of physical exertion? You can find arguments in defense of the efficacy of all of these recovery strategies. But one study vouches for massage when it comes to curbing muscle soreness and fatigue. (Water immersion and compression garments also proved effective but not quite as powerful.) To combat inflammation, that same study again recommends massage as well as post-exercise recovery involving exposure to cold, like cold water immersion or cryotherapy.

Planning Your Recovery Zone

Whether you’re a small facility serving an office population, a large health club or something in between, it’s best to dedicate a space to recovery activities exclusively. Even if it’s the corner of a room outfitted with mats and foam rollers, the existence of such offerings nudges users to engage in recovery and shows with your facility’s commitment to wellness.

If you’ve got more square footage and a larger budget at your disposal, the options increase. Perhaps you invest in calf compression devices and hydromassage chairs, install saunas and hot/cold tubs, or set up entire treatment rooms for massage and acupuncture.

And if you lack the space for a designated recovery zone, add classes (e.g. tai chi, yoga or low-intensity cycling) to your group exercise calendar to allow fitness enthusiasts to work recovery into their schedules.

But to really hone in on the best recovery products and services for your facility, survey your members to determine what resources and tools they feel are lacking or would enjoy using. You might even consider offering them an opportunity to sample gear and solicit their feedback.

As you establish or tweak a recovery zone, keep in mind that placement is key. A high-traffic area gives your space greater exposure, which peaks interest and potentially increases usage. A windowed room, in particular, is its own best advertisement. But some recovery methods require more privacy and are best located behind closed doors. Regardless, it’s important to communicate the availability of your recovery tools and facilities with signage, through your social channels and maybe even with some promotional efforts.

One more thing: Don’t neglect to factor staff availability into the selection process. If you can’t assign someone to the recovery area on a permanent or near-permanent basis, limit your offerings to user-friendly designs that can be employed without assistance.

Options for Selling Your Recovery Services

Once you’ve decided what recovery offerings to introduce to your facility, it’s time to figure out how to get member buy-in, literally. There are a variety of ways to make these amenities available, including:

1. Membership add-on. Under this structure, members pay an additional fee to gain access to recovery services. This route is worth considering if you have premium services available and expect a contingent of members to use them more regularly than others.
2. All-inclusive package. Here, recovery tools and services are included in the cost of membership. This option might make the most sense if you’re only offering access to basic recovery tools.
3. Pay-as-you-go. Whether it’s a session (think sauna), service (massage) or class, this option offers members access to your recovery offerings for a fee, strictly paid on an as-needed, per usage basis.

Ready To Remedy Your Own Recovery Program?

With recovery’s appeal on the rise, it’s a great time to take an inventory of your own offerings to see how you might enhance or supplement what’s currently available. If you need assistance determining your needs or next steps, Aquila’s got 30 years of experience in fitness center design, facility management, health engagement and wellness programming. We’d love to help. Contact us for more information.