Riding the wave of health and fitness

At the forefront of the “wellness” movement are saunas of both the traditional and infrared kind, as well as steam and massage showers, alongside solaria and fitness equipment such as steppers, exercise cycles and rowing machines.
This trend is having an ever greater influence on the shape and features of products for the bathroom. Where new ranges of shower enclosures are concerned, the idea of health and fitness is evidenced in such supplementary functions as aromatherapy or light therapy. Music and radio in the bathroom are now part of the picture as well. The application of multimedia functions here, such as phoning, watching TV or a video whilst showering, can be envisaged as possibilities for the future .
Saunas that form part of the new concept were introduced at i&M’s product forum.
But a number of clever devices are already available. These include a “Monsunregen” shower with an integral light source, which gives the user the feeling of showering in “liquid light”. Other impressive accessories include a chromoexperience shower head as well as celestial sounds in the infrared sauna. Aroma saunas, plus fun and fitness showers for two, add to the spectrum of feel-good products.
Which is how this previously “profane” sanitary facility is becoming integrated into the living space and lifestyle of the health and fitness wave. It is not simply a question of a passing fad, but a movement that is continuing to gain ground in all areas.
In Ulm Praktiker presents health and fitness products on an area of 100 m².
The sauna cum steam bath, for example, offers an alternative to or complements the traditional Finnish-style sauna, which is too hot and too dry for many users. Infrared saunas are becoming increasingly popular, since their dry heat is considered to be very well tolerated in general.
Wellness and fitness revolve around the fun factor, the positive experience of physical hygiene and emotional relaxation. When retailers offer the relevant products for sale, they must provide more than a simple display: the overall impression made by the range and the entire display space determine the programme’s degree of acceptability to customers. Essential features are an attractive décor and a display of appropriate accessories and body-care products.
Infrared saunas are continuing to grow in significance.
Praktiker is one of the DIY retailers that are now devoting attention to this subject. The company has already taken up the theme in Stockstadt, and the store…