According to the American Council on Exercise…
“Post-exercise recovery is a vital component of the overall exercise training paradigm, and essential for high-level performance and continued improvement. If the rate of recovery is appropriate, higher training volumes and intensities are possible without the detrimental effects of overtraining.”
Trainers and fitness pros have long understood the importance of recovery for their client athletes. With the world’s renewed intensive focus on health and wellness post-Covid, the demand and need for recovery based sessions has heightened. The modality known simply as Recovery has become a mainstream and is most certainly here to stay.
From gyms to corporate fitness centers, and hotels to student recreation facilities, recovery zones are an essential part of the wellness environment forward.
THE SPACE PLAN | Where Best to Designate Space for Recovery
As you assess your existing floorplan and balance of space, you may feel challenged with where to integrate recovery.
You’ll ideally want a designated separate area for recovery (think lower energy zones, or a segregated lounge perhaps). Clearly recovery space won’t be well facilitated in the middle of a crowded sweat driving weight room or in other high traffic dynamic training areas. As with all modern aspects of wellness today and beyond, guests will further seek digital or live guidance to assist in becoming proficient in the myriad of techniques common within a comprehensive recovery session. You’ll further want to consider just how many simultaneous participants you’ll need to accommodate, and then design for that reality accordingly.
It can be a lot to consider. So, where to begin?
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX (OR 4 WALLS)
Trying to cram Recovery into an already maximally occupied and crowded space is just a bad idea.
Recovery sessions typically occur pre exercise, post exercise, and possibly on rest days. Given this, the individual does not require access or immediate proximity to exercise equipment. So where to find space? Think beyond the walls of the fitness floor and consider an entirely different space.
Where might you have underutilized spaces within your facility?
Health Clubs may have office space or cube areas that – in years past – were used for signing membership agreements, etc. With all of that executed online now, such spaces could be converted to intimate, personal Recovery zones.
Multifamily, Hotel, and other operators of fitness amenities can also get creative in locating appropriate spaces for recovery sessions. Maybe there is a large leasing office you can ‘borrow’ space from, an unused area in a vast open foyer, possibly part of the locker room that can be reimagined and redesigned without significant renovation. Recovery sessions can be accommodated for more flexibility than exercise spaces that typically require sizable amounts of fitness equipment to be effective.
NO SWEAT
One factor is particular that may govern your flexibility in space considerations for recovery is that although one should be comfortable, workout clothes are not required. recovery is not about sweat, its about frequency and finding time in between workouts, work, and other aspects of our busy day. Consider spaces that will accommodate people in-between meetings at the office or between classes on campus. At the gym, consider adjacent spaces where the music is lower and socialization within communal recovery spaces can be yet another way to engage and retain members.
You’re almost there. Next you’ll want to consider designing the area with smart storage for recovery tools, digital screens, and training tables or floor based matting.
ENTER AKTIV RECOVERY BAYS
Aktiv – with HYPERICE®, the industry leader in recovery training technology – offers innovative bays that combine smart storage and expert coaching designed to help people move and recover better.
With years of design expertise, Aktiv Recovery Bays are at once attractive, efficient, inviting and results-driven. They complement any space dedicated to wellness, and integrate aesthetically into gyms, clubs, and at the same time – luxury apartments and hotels.
Modular in design, bays can be interconnected to support personal or larger communal training zones.
For assistance with the design of your Recovery space, connect with one of our consultants here.
Related
Aktiv has partnered with HYPERICE®, the industry leader in recovery training technology. Aktiv RECOVERY bays combine smart storage and expert coaching designed to help you move better.