Lisa Thomas on Offering a Recovery Zone

This month we spoke with Lisa Thomas, the director of member services at Club Greenwood, about the benefits of offering a recovery zone.

What recovery options do you offer in your recovery zone?

At Club Greenwood we offer our members HydroMassage lounge chairs; Normatec recovery boots, hip and arm attachments; Hyperice heat and cold compression; Power Plate; TRUE Stretch Cages; trigger point accessories; and a place to relax.

Why is it beneficial to offer your members a recovery zone?

Our members are working out harder. Muscle recovery is important when it comes to getting the most out of your workouts. If we can help our members heal and feel better faster after an intense workout, they will come back quicker and wanting more. In addition, after the year we’ve had with the COVID-19 pandemic, having a place to relax is beneficial to our members’ mental health.

What are best practices clubs should keep in mind when incorporating recovery zones?

Make sure you have a dedicated space for your recovery zone visible to your clients. Research what recovery tools will work best in your space, keeping in mind what your clients would like. Don’t forget to market what you are doing.

What are some common mistakes you’ve seen clubs make with recovery zones/offerings?

One mistake is thinking you can just offer a few foam rollers and trigger point products and call it a day. You must research what will work best in your environment and what your members want. Survey your membership and get their opinion. Additionally, find the cost “sweet spot.” If you charge too much — especially if you are a high-cost facility — you won’t get the numbers, you want. If you charge too little, you run the risk of not having enough for the masses and thus overwhelming the space and your clients.