The Benefits Of A Wellness Club: Self-Care, Connection, & Exercise

The wellness movement is gaining increasing popularity in the US and beyond, attracting many people to lifestyle habits that may enhance their emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. This health-centric approach to life has led to the establishment of wellness spaces, where individuals can practice self-care and foster mental well-being while connecting with like-minded people. Wellness clubs are relatively new, membership-based organizations that combine various characteristics of gyms, social clubs, and even coworking spaces. Below, explore an overview of wellness culture, the benefits of wellness clubs, and options to help you find the right wellness space for you. 

Exploring the wellness movement

Arising in the 1970s, the wellness movement was a response to the stress and burnout many people experienced due to demanding careers and other life challenges. The wellness movement offered a more holistic approach to addressing these concerns, as opposed to focusing primarily on medication or other traditional forms of treatment. 

While the ideas underlying the wellness movement are generally positive, some have criticized wellness culture for placing pressure on people to engage in an increasing number of healthy practices, which can be burdensome. Furthermore, many people believe that the wellness industry primarily caters to affluent individuals, as the offerings of wellness companies can be prohibitively expensive for many consumers. Additionally, many companies sell products and services under the guise of wellness despite a lack of measurable benefits. Despite these criticisms, individuals seeking to improve their mental and physical well-being may derive numerous benefits from the wellness movement. For those who want to enhance their mental and physical wellness at an affordable rate, online therapy is an alternative option to wellness clubs.

An overview of wellness clubs

As consumers’ interest in wellness has increased, companies have started designing clubs where individuals can exercise, practice self-care, and meet new people. Wellness clubs incorporate elements from traditional health clubs (such as gyms, health foods, and yoga studios) and social clubs (including meeting spaces and organized events) to create spaces where people can find community while nurturing their mental and physical health.  

Like traditional health clubs, wellness clubs are typically membership-based, allowing people to utilize their amenities for a fee. Unlike health clubs, however, these wellness spaces usually adopt a more holistic approach to helping members thrive. This process involves a greater emphasis on social connection, enabling like-minded individuals to form communities and promote wellness together. 

Wellness club amenities

Wellness spaces often offer a diverse range of services and products designed to enhance members’ health, including:

1. Fully equipped gyms
2. Exercise classes
3. Health food vendors
4. Mindfulness workshops 
5. Cold plunge tubs
6. Spa treatments
7. Curated lounges
8. Coworking spaces – where members can continue focusing on their professional lives after they’ve finished working out

Wellness clubs’ offerings often consist of various complementary and alternative treatments. For example, Remedy Place, a social wellness club founded by Dr. Jonathan Leary, features locations in New York City and Los Angeles, offering amenities such as ice baths, hyperbaric chambers, IV drips, personalized supplements, acupuncture, and red light therapy beds. Such amenities can be beneficial for members interested in holistic approaches to addressing various mental and physical health concerns. 

The role of social connection in wellness spaces

Recently, experts in psychology and sociology have emphasized the importance of third places—spaces where individuals can go that are neither home nor work. Third places enable people to leverage the benefits of social support, which is crucial to overall well-being. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), social connection is a protective factor against:

1. Cardiovascular disease
2. Stroke
3. Dementia
4. Depressive disorders
5. Anxiety disorders

People can utilize online therapy to learn more about protecting their mental health and get support when starting something new – such as joining a wellness club.

Many people use wellness clubs as hubs where they can take work meetings, socialize with friends, or network. According to an article in Vogue, wellness spaces are the Gen Z and Millennial version of the country club. They allow members to connect in third places that aren’t bars, restaurants, or nightclubs, where healthy living may be more evasive. 

Mental health benefits of wellness clubs

A wellness space that helps you cultivate a sense of presence, practice self-care, and connect with others may aid in addressing a variety of mental health concerns and life challenges. The following are potential mental health benefits of wellness clubs. 

Mindfulness

Many wellness clubs offer mindfulness workshops and classes, where participants can learn to cultivate awareness of the present moment. Mindfulness is a form of meditation focused on bringing individuals’ attention to their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. Mindfulness has been shown to alleviate stress and anxiety, improve cognitive functioning, and enhance athletic performance. 

Self-care

People often join wellness clubs to ensure they make time for self-care and self-love during their week. Self-care, a primary selling point of many wellness spaces, can involve a variety of activities designed to promote mental and physical well-being. Wellness clubs help members practice self-care in various ways, including through movement, nutrition, and relaxation exercises. 

Motivation

One of the benefits of social connection in wellness clubs is that members can encourage one another to foster mental and physical well-being. For some, finding the motivation to practice self-care when doing so alone regularly can be difficult. Having a community of like-minded individuals may motivate you to try new forms of physical activity, become more consistent in your wellness routines, or explore various disciplines, such as yoga.  

Finding a wellness club that’s right for you

If you’re interested in joining a wellness club, a quick internet search can help you find potential options in your area. If there aren’t any wellness spaces in your community, consider joining a traditional gym or health club—many of which are now adopting holistic approaches to promoting mental and physical well-being. 

What to look for in a wellness club

When searching for the right wellness club for you, consider the amenities you’ll want to use. Do you want to participate in guided meditations or other mind-body classes? Are you looking for a sauna, sweat lodge, massage services, or other spa-related amenities? 

Price may be another factor as you narrow down your options. Costs can vary significantly depending on the club and specific membership. Basic memberships at affordable clubs typically cost around $75 per month, while higher-level memberships at more expensive wellness spaces can exceed $250 per month. You may also learn about the costs of services that aren’t included in the membership. Some spa treatments, fitness tools, or other amenities may incur additional costs. Additionally, many clubs charge a required one-time fee upfront. 

Often, wellness clubs will offer tours of their facilities, allowing you to better explore their offerings and potential benefits. Some clubs will even provide you with a day pass, allowing you to exercise, take a class, or use other services for free. You may also inquire about the club's staff qualifications to ensure you’ll be working with experienced professionals. Before starting, determine the busiest times, especially if you have a set schedule. Consider also asking about total membership numbers, hours, and any other facets of the club you’d like to know more about. 

Fostering mental wellness with online therapy

If you’re interested in adding therapy to your wellness routine, consider connecting with a qualified mental health professional online. Getting matched with a therapist can be a constructive next step on your wellness journey. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can work with a licensed professional to cultivate mental wellness remotely through video calls, voice calls, or in-app messaging. Your online therapist can also connect you with valuable resources, such as at-home exercises and support groups designed to promote self-care. 

Research suggests that online therapy can help individuals improve various dimensions of wellness. For example, in one study, researchers found that online therapy significantly reduced emotional distress while improving overall well-being. The study also notes that online therapy platforms can bridge the treatment gap, circumventing common barriers to mental health care, such as stigma and lack of providers.