Who’s Going to the Spa?

News Note

By Editorial Staff

Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, August/September 2000.

A survey from Les Nouvelles Esthetiques (Dec. 1999) revealed that 85 percent of spa-goers are female. Nearly half are college educated and fit the “boomer” age range of 34-52 years. Married clients account for 63 percent; at least a third have annual incomes of $45,000 to $75,000. And what are they asking for? The International Spa Association reported that Swedish massage and aromatherapy are being ousted by requests for Pilates, Ayurveda, Thai yoga massage and Feldenkrais, according to Dayspa (Nov. 1999). Also going by the wayside are meditation, alternative medicine, Kurs, sauna and the “no pain, no gain” approach. The new favorites are feng shui and Japanese designs, fitballs, hydrotherapy baths, steam and mind/body techniques.