What do Americans expect when they enter a wellness center? (I asked the pros)

Alida Moonen - wellness coordinator at Summa Health System

First, a question for you: What is a wellness center? Here in the US, virtually every “fitness” center has now become a “wellness” center. Spas are now “wellness” centers. Health systems (hospitals) are now “wellness” systems. Holistic practitioners do so in “wellness” centers. So, what do Americans expect when they enter one of these places? Solutions to a problem that they probably created themselves by making health and lifestyle decisions that led to the need for solutions.

What do they find? Tools and resources and skill sets that they should then apply to their lives so that they can achieve wellness. They don’t find solutions because the solution can only be achieved by applying the knowledge or skill to themselves.
Wellness is found inside a person, as a result of living a life that is holistic and directed toward achieving wellness, or well-being. Thus, the ultimate “wellness” center is found inside each and every one of us, should we choose to make ourselves one.

Nikki Akparewa - international nurse coach 

I think wellness is a very "hot" issue right now. The wellness industry is booming and expecting to continue to grow. I believe that in America we don't yet have a clear picture about what "wellness" is really all about. Is it about spas and massage? Nutrition and health? Physical exercise or mental health?

I believe it is about all of these things at one time. As Americans, we expect a welcoming and holistic atmosphere in a wellness center. On the horizon, we will learn to expect that our wellness professionals are an invaluable resource and play a critical role in how we manage our own health.

Bill McPeck - consultant, trainer and coach

In the United States, the term wellness center is not a widely used term. The more common terms would be gym, fitness facility, spa, etc. A person's expectations will be driven by the type of facility they are going to.

For a gym or fitness center, the person's expectations would be for them to find the equipment necessary so they can complete their aerobic and/or weight training exercise routine. The person entering a spa would, on the other hand, be seeking a very different experience. Their expectations would be focused more on personalized attention, pampering, relaxation, rejuvenation and restoration.

Craig Becker - associate professor at East Carolina University

That is a strange question for me because I don't have any data on perceptions of American's entering wellness centers. My take would be that most American's want to be better, which they may define as less bad, and that is why they enter. They most likely are being treated pathogenically so less sick or such that the aim is only at eliminating problems instead my focus which is creating a life that is about more than the absence of problems.

To me wellness centers, actually society, should be focused on enabling flourishing, achieving and thriving. Of course problems will still be present so a society should be set up to focus on helping people become who they can be by encouraging, nurturing and supporting those actions that enable accomplishment of interactions that will help everyone and everything benefit.

Kim Larsen - passionate health and well-being advocate

Wellness is becoming an over-used word, causing confusion in the American marketplace among consumers. Companies in many industries who make different products – from dog food to landscaping - use wellness in their business name. So what’s a consumer to expect when they walk into a wellness center - hopefully not a serving of complimentary dog food?

No matter which services are offered, Americans expect to work with qualified, authentic professionals who truly care about their needs and are not in business to sell gimmicks or capitalize on the “wellness” trend. They expect professionals to take time and understand all aspects of their life, including: what’s working well, what could be working better and their vision/goals. They want to work with a wellness professional who offers a holistic, individualized solution that’s evidence-based, cost-effective and sustainable long-term to meet their needs.

In conclusion, wellness is a long-term investment in one’s self and many options are available. Consumers should visit several wellness centers to determine which one best meets their needs and which professional(s) they are most comfortable working with. It all comes down to the people who will be guiding and supporting you on your pathway to well-being.

 

Don Ardell - wellness evangelist, author, advocate

They expect far too little and that adversely affects what they get. This is to say, they get watered down, ersatz information and programming that does not truly equate to wellness at all.

My work for the past several years has been to promote wellness as envisioned by Halbert L. Dunn, M.D. and other visionaries before and after who viewed wellness as a philosophy and lifestyle vastly more challenging, exciting and most of all rewarding in terms of quality of life and human happiness than what has been on offer under the guise of corporate and medically-based wellness programming in America.

I address what visitors to Czech and European spas might be encouraged to expect - I think this would constitute a great business model. It need not replace existing pampering functions; it would instead be an add on for current customers and an attractive for a whole new breed of intelligent, successful people looking for more meaning and happiness in life, not only better health and beauty.

 

So these were wellness the pros talking. And what do you expect when you enter a wellness center? Let me know in the Comments.