Category Archives: Spa Fitness and Wellness

Round-up of Cool Online Fitness/Wellness Gadgets Spas Should Know About

tweetwhatyoueat Round up of Cool Online Fitness/Wellness Gadgets Spas Should Know AboutAt this year’s Global Spa Summit in Bali, we were treated to several short social networking/technology talks from my favorite tech guru Marc Smith from Connected Action.  Marc is the only presenter I know in the technology space who might also make it as a standup comedian!  Click here to access a short 10 minute video of Marc on the topic of online health and fitness/wellness gadgets.  Skim through the notes Engaging Business via Technology:  Sensors – All the Rage! , or check out Marc’s powerpoint presentation.

Marc started off showing us a GSS 2011 Social Network Map. It showed Liz Terry (Managing Director, Leisure Media) as the most connected social networker at the GSS; everyone who had tweeted about GSS was on the map as well.

Marc went on to introduce us to some medical sensors.  The following is a list of the ones he thought spas should check out.  It’s a handy list that will help you get up-to-date quickly.  (Well, as up-to-date as possible for now.)  I think it is safe to say the one that got the most buzz was the the sensor you pee on and then it analyzes the effect of your diet and exercise efforts.  Have fun exploring!

  • Quantified Self.org: Helps to keep detailed records of your own health and wellness
  • Fitbit.com: You clip the device to yourself, and when you walk by your computer, the data transfers automatically.
  • Bodybugg: Uses specialized sensors to track calories burned; manages calories consumed via a web based program; tracks your steps with a built-in pedometer
  • Runkeeper: will tweet “Mark has just run 4.5 km”
  • Nike + iPod: Tracks how fast you run and socializes this. Gives you encouragement from friends to keep at it, it also satisfies any kind of competitive urge.
  • Body media: Keeps track of weight loss activity and encourages you to keep going!
  • Zeo headband: You simply sleep with it, and it tracks your sleep cycle.
  • Tweet What You Eat:  A twitter-based food diary. Use Twitter to track what you eat by ‘tweeting’ food items to your personal food diary on the web.
  • Meal Snap: iPhone app that lets you take pictures of your food, and auto-magically get back calorie and caption information.
  • Lose It!: iPhone application that helps you to stay on track each day by recording your food and exercise while staying within your budget.
  • Ovi: Wellness diary, using the “experience sampling” methodology.
  • WellApps: A website full of applications to assist in your quest for wellness.
  • BodyKey: Take it to the bathroom and urinate on it; diagnoses you
  • GoogleHealth: With a Google Health account, you can store, manage and share all of your health and wellness information in one central place. It’s available from Google at no charge.
  • Microsoft Health Vault: Similar to GoogleHealth it is an online health tool and device directory.
  • CureTogether and PatientsLikeMe: Helps to connect you with someone else who suffers from your condition; essentially a support system.
  • FourSquare badges: Unlocking badges is very motivating to people; they enjoy earning status markers.

My twitter address: @susieellis

SpaTrends 2011 – “Aging…Raging” (Think pain relief massage.)

aging 300x213 SpaTrends 2011 Aging...Raging (Think pain relief massage.)

Whatever terms you use, “aging baby boomers,” “silver spa-ers” or “active retirees,” the fact is that the 65-plus spa-going demographic will have a massive impact on the industry for years to come. The data on the “graying” of the North American, European and Japanese populations could fill a library, with these regions’ populations aging at a rate unprecedented in human history. Millions of baby boomers (the generation that galvanized the spa/wellness revolution) are now turning 65 with 2011 as the year the oldest baby boomers first cross this threshold.

This demographic viciously rejects labels, and the days of “over-65” as a catchall “old-person” category will soon become ancient history. (After all, there’s a huge difference between a 70-year-old who plays tennis three times a week and an 85-year-old seeking pain relief.) Savvy spas will now be rethinking everything to address these all-too-often-ignored niches’ specific needs: from facilities, to equipment, to programming, to marketing and staffing. Physical therapy, rehabilitation, recuperation and just plain old pain relief will increase on spas’ menus, to meet the needs of clientele with back, neck, knee and mobility issues.

We are likely to see a renaissance in the hydrotherapy arena that was considered a relaxing past time for grandparents – especially in Europe.  As the baby boomers discover the therapeutic benefits of exercising in water and the pain-relief benefits of soaking in thermal water, they will no doubt put their own spin on this activity making it chic and hip. SpaFinder forecasts a renewed respect for the benefits of sanitas per aqua that has recently taken a backseat to weight loss, beauty and fitness.

A few forward-thinking examples:

  • Fairmont’s Willow Stream Spas are launching an extensive program promising ache and pain relief called “Stay Active Rx” with new products, services, and experiences being rolled out through all of 2011.
  • More spas (modeling after a Canyon Ranch) are featuring exercise physiologists, sports medicine professionals, chiropractors, orthopedics, naturopaths and physical therapists on staff (or on call).
  • Look for a rise in usage of the term “corrective” — “corrective” massage, “corrective” facials, etc., and for the already used-to-death term “anti-aging” to get a further workout.
  • We’ll see a rise in offerings like Biofreeze Pain Management massages.
  • Infrared saunas, which function at far-less searing heat (but penetrate heat further into the body than a traditional sauna) will become more popular.
  • Issues such as massage to ease constipation will surface.
  • Active release massage will become more familiar as it deals with specific trouble areas.
  • Look for new chilled loungers that accomplish what cold plunge pools do, but are more comfortable and safer for older guests.
  • Discover new expressions of places to ‘take the waters’ such as the Scandinave and Le Nordic models in Canada, the Hakone Kowakien Yunessun in Japan, and the glammed up Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Southern California.
  • Many spas are even using larger print for their spa menus!

Prior research has concurred that the number-one reason people go to spas is to “relax and de-stress,” but in some regions of the world that may soon be replaced by to “relieve aches and pains.”

My twitter address: @susieellis

Arts and Crafts at Spa Camp

IMG00052 20100821 2117 300x225 Arts and Crafts at Spa Camp It was Sallie – colleague and fellow camper – who dragged me into the arts and crafts center my first day at Camp Reveille – Joan Lunden’s spa camp. (Joan hosts her 4 day Reveille retreat for women near the end of August each year.) Trust me, when there are spa activities available, the last thing I wanted to do was sit in a barn-like structure stringing beads or working with clay pots. But I did notice that there were a lot of women participating and they did seem to be having fun. The large assortment of beads and baubles did look interesting and all that sparkle reminded me of being in a candy store. Nevertheless, I passed.

That afternoon an odd thing happened. I attended “Chakra Balancing” where the instructor had us lie down and then used one of those pendulums over our various chakra points to “check our energy.” Well… my chakras were checking out pretty well according to the briskly swinging pendulum over various parts of my body. Then she got to the chakra point over my overhead and all of a sudden – nothing. No swinging. No energy.

She gently mentioned that this chakra point had to do with creativity and that possibly the creative part of me was suppressed.

Yea, right…if you believe that kind of thing.

Later that evening I got to thinking (a left brain activity, hint, hint) that much of my life is indeed filled with lists, emails, and analysis. There is very little right brain activity – virtually no music, painting, drawing or dance (and definitely no arts and crafts)!

So reluctantly the next day I accompanied Sallie to the jewelry-making room thinking that just maybe incorporating a little creativity into my day might do me some good.

Well, the beautiful blue and white speckled stones, silver pearls, and sparkly beads became mesmerizing. Before I knew it a couple of hours had passed and I had created an attractive piece of jewelry that goes perfectly with denim – in fact Joan’s mother-in-law liked it so much she asked if she could copy it!

I had been noticing that arts and crafts, photography and other creative classes have been popping up on more spa menus lately – especially at destination spas. Perhaps these creative experiences are just what are needed for some of us (the tech-connected, work-obsessed) to find balance.

Although I haven’t tested my creativity chakra post “spa camp,” I do feel that some of my inner child was nudged at Camp Reveille. Am already thinking about spa camp next summer. After all, I have another idea for a necklace and bracelet combo…

My twitter address: @susieellis

Spa Camp with Massages and Facials? Yes!

lunden joan 245x300 Spa Camp with Massages and Facials? Yes!Last Thursday I had my first “adult spa camp” experience.  Joan Lunden (of Good Morning America fame) invited my colleague Sallie, COO of SpaFinder, and I to join her and 140 other women at her yearly Camp Reveille in Maine.  I haven’t been to camp since I was 13 or 14, but vaguely remember enjoying the swimming, canoeing, and camp fires (especially eating the s’mores).  I also remember that the bunks were hard, there were bugs, and I had to watch out for poison ivy.

When Joan explained that her camp was an adult version of kids camp that included massages, facials, and getting to know some interesting women from all over the country, I decided to pack my gear and give it a try.

It was a beautiful drive up to Camp Reveille in Maine – a posh boy’s camp owned by Joan’s husband, Jeff.  At the end of camp season Joan adds extra touches such as foam padding and comfy bedding for the bunks, a latte machine, and some nice gifts for attendees.  She turns the medical area into a spa and holds a retreat for women, incorporating her passion for helping others find both health and balance.  Since Joan has seven children, writes books, has a full career traveling and speaking, and does all of this while looking 20 years younger than she is and exuding a calm and balance self, I plan to take some of her advice.

All of the staff at Camp Reveille is top notch.  The therapists, aestheticians, and fitness instructors are selected by Joan; many are “her people” – the celebrity hair stylist, makeup artist, fitness coach, etc.  It’s probably the best collection of spa staff I have ever seen.  And, surprisingly, at $899 for 4 days and 3 nights (which includes all the fantastic food and the facial) it’s really quite a bargain!

I understand Joan and her “spa camp” are going to be taking Reveille-on-the-Road after a successful trial run at Dove Mountain in Arizona a few months ago.   Sallie tells me that future Camp Reveilles will be announced through the SpaFinder website and Club Spa.  Why don’t you ladies out there who need a break (I know that would be all of you!) plan on joining us at a future spa camp?  Joan’s mantra is “take some time for yourself” and if she can do it, we can too.

My twitter address: @susieellis

Spas, Wellness and Medical Tourism…Observations from a Medical Student in Europe

Charlotte 785961 Spas, Wellness and Medical Tourism...Observations from a Medical Student in Europe Spas, Wellness and Medical Tourism…Observations from a Medical Student in Europe
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Insider

My niece from Germany (yes….the third niece this summer) is visiting at the moment and we had a very interesting discussion last evening. Charlotte is a medical student in Germany who will be graduating next year before starting her residency. She plans to specialize in either radiology or neurology.

I decided to find out what her take was on such things as the words “spa,” “wellness” and “medical tourism” – all terms and concepts I read about, think about and most recently am writing about. I thought it might be interesting to conduct a sort of one-person-focus-group with someone from another country who I have never spoken with about these subjects. Since Charlotte is immersed in the medical field and grew up around the medical community because her father was a pediatrician, I thought her insights might be interesting.

So here are my questions, her answers and a few thoughts about those answers:

Q What do you think of when you hear the word “spa?”
A I am not totally sure because I have never been to a spa, but to me a spa is a place where you go to have massages, get beauty treatments, and most of all relax.

Q What do you think of when you hear the word “wellness?”
A We use the term wellness all the time in Germany, but I think it is an American word. When I think of wellness I think of pursuing health – maybe through exercise, massages, eating well, and such.

Q What do you think is the difference between “spa” and “wellness?”
A Hmmm….I don’t really know. I don’t think I can answer that. They seem quite similar.

Q What do you think of when you hear the word “medical tourism?”
A I don’t think I have ever heard the term “medical tourism” before. But I guess that isn’t surprising because it seems like everything in America comes to Europe years later. If I were to guess, I would probably say that “medical tourism” might be people experiencing medical treatments that are from different countries when they go to their doctor.

Well, I found her responses quite interesting. As our conversation turned into a discussion, here are some conclusions I came away with:

1. Re “Spa” and “Wellness”
We ended up agreeing that generally spas are places where people pursue health, and wellness is the thing they are pursuing and sometimes it will include some diagnostics. Also, what she confirmed (something I have often suspected) is that the term “spa” has a bit of an elitist connotation in Germany (and possibly in other places in Europe). She feels the term “spa” equates with “expensive” and “for the wealthy.” That might be one reason the term “wellness” has entered our vocabularies. It is a more inclusive way to say spa.

2. Re “Medical Tourism”
While her definition of medical tourism was different than the generally accepted definition I shared with her (traveling across international borders to obtain health care), she did find the concept intriguing. We realized that because her country’s health care system provides all medical care for its citizens, the idea of going outside of Germany for health care procedures is completely foreign to her. She felt that the only time she could imagine someone from Germany leaving the country for a medical procedure is if they are on a waiting list and don’t want to wait that long.

And finally…a few thoughts about Charlotte herself. I was pleased that she asked me to share with her the two papers I am writing about spas and medical tourism when I have them completed. It may mean our conversation on these topics will continue into the future. Secondly, I learned that my niece is a pretty smart cookie….having made an early request for residency placement two years from now, she snagged one of the few spots in a top hospital in Switzerland near Zermatt between November and March. Did I mention she is terrific skier?
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