Tips For Choosing The Right Wellness Center:

Wellness centers can help you get healthy, lose weight, learn life skills and escape life’s daily stresses. A new year means a new you and a new chance to get fit, in both mind and body. Aayushmaan Bhava wellness staff from across the state, including the Nature Cure Wellness Center in Sringeri town, have shared the top things to look for when joining a wellness center:

1. Location:  While the idea of a wellness center is to get away from home and take a break, you do want to be hours and hours away as this can be more and more relaxing. Being away from home can be hard but focus is always on our health along with nature.
2. Cost: Everyone’s budget will be different, so you have to go into the research process with a relatively clear budget in mind. There are two main reasons for this, firstly, having a price in mind will help you to narrow down your options. You will not end up wasting time scrolling through options only to find out later that you cannot afford them. Secondly, you are less likely to be talked into extra options or features that could amp up the cost of your stay. Going into the booking stages with a clear ceiling on your budget will make sure you don’t waste time talking about options that you do not want.
3. Specials: Wellness Center offer promotions at key times of the year, like in January. There are opportunities for discount memberships for seniors, such as the affiliation programs, where you can participate in classes for free based on your affiliation coverage. Wellness Center also offers a free session where a trainer will show you around and give you the basics on how to use the types of equipment. Take advantage of this time to ensure you know what you’re doing. Ask about personal trainers’ availability.
4. Ease of payments:  Wellness Center operate in different ways, but you’ll likely have to sign a contract and pay a certain amount of money each month via a credit card or payment gateway. Options of payment must be vast and easy.
5. Group fitness class variety:  Fitness classes can provide great motivation and help you achieve your goals faster than you would alone.
6. Wellness services/programs:  Some wellness centers go beyond just fitness, offering massage, chiropractic care, nutrition, acupuncture and more.
7. Staff:  Friendly, attentive and qualified staff are important. You want to have people whom you trust to give you good advice and also to make sure you are doing your activities safely. Don’t be afraid to ask for staff credentials. Depending on the services they offer, staff should be well trained in group fitness, personal training, nutrition, exercise and activities; have proper training under proper guidance in exercise physiology, exercise science or health education; or be a certified wellness coach or wellness director.
8. Hours of operation:  Double-check to make sure the Wellness Center is available for the times and days you want to be there.
9. What type of equipment are you looking to use?: Cardiovascular? Strength training? Dumbbells? What do they have? How much do they have? Every place is different, so make sure you check it out on a tour.
10. Atmosphere:  This needs to be a good “fit” for you. Do you feel comfortable and welcomed? Are you looking for television or music to listen to while you work out? The environment should fit your personality/goals and comfort level with the staff and other customers. You always want the Wellness Center to be clean and well-kept, too. You should have access to cleaning wipes to wipe down types of equipment before/after you use them to prevent germs from spreading. The changing rooms should be clean, too.

You ultimately want to choose a center you have a good feeling about and offer you all the things you’re looking for within your budget while allowing you to carry out the necessary activity and improve your fitness level – and still have fun doing it!