Fitness Clubs vs. Social Clubs: Features and Cultures
October 28th, 2021 | 5 min. read
By Jen Azevedo
Between work, family, and other responsibilities, it’s important to find an outlet for your self-care. There are so many choices out there for this, but it can be hard to find one that fits right for your lifestyle. You need a home away from home, but you might not know exactly what to look for.
We want to help you find it. In this article, we’re going to go through a few different types of clubs you can join and what they offer. Here’s a breakdown of the topics we’re going to focus on:- Fitness clubs
- Fitness club features
- Social clubs
- Social club features
- Social health clubs
- Social health club features
- Deciding which is best for you
As we go through this article, you’ll be able to learn more about what each type of club is and what makes them stand out from the rest. By the end, we hope you’ll be able to narrow down your options and have a better understanding of what kind of club is best for you.
What is a fitness club?
A fitness club is an all-encompassing center dedicated to bettering your full-body health and fitness. These clubs focus on fitness in all forms, from cardio to strength to agility.
People often think of fitness clubs as a step up from a gym, but they can differ in many ways. For example, the culture and environment create a positive fitness culture.
Fitness club culture is devoted to making exercise enjoyable and focuses on individual self-improvement, as opposed to the comparison and insecurity people often face at gyms.
Fitness clubs offer many features and amenities that make working out fun for you. The variety of exercise options allows members to personalize their experience in a way that many other clubs and gyms cannot.
What makes fitness clubs stand out?
What makes fitness clubs shine is how they can customize each member’s workout. Fitness clubs typically offer classes, sports, programs, and various other amenities to fully tailor your fitness experience in a way that makes exercise a better experience for you.
Any fitness club is going to provide a unique fitness experience, but there are some features that many clubs have in common.
One of the most favored features of many fitness clubs is tennis. Most clubs offer lessons to anyone who wants to play, no matter the player’s level of experience.
Another court sport that’s rising in health clubs nationwide is pickleball. While it might not yet be offered at every fitness club, it is likely to become a staple amenity as the sport becomes more popular.
Group exercise classes are another amazing feature that many fitness clubs offer. These classes are a super fun option if you enjoy working out with a group in a fun, high-energy environment. From Zumba to kickboxing to yoga, there are plenty of options for whatever you’re looking for in a class.
Another benefit of joining a fitness club is the variety of intensive fitness programs that are offered, which usually run anywhere from a few weeks to several months long.
These programs are intended to improve your overall health and fitness through weight loss, muscle building, agility training, nutrition, or a combination of any of these components.
Another amazing amenity that many fitness clubs have is a swimming pool. You can use a designated lane to swim laps, join a water-based exercise class like water aerobics, or wade in to relax after a sweaty workout.
Lastly, a gym or fitness center is often included in your fitness club membership. This is an awesome amenity to have in addition to all your other forms of exercise for days when you want a more straightforward form of exercise.
While these are all common amenities that many fitness clubs offer, any club may offer additional amenities or features that are not listed here. If you’re considering joining a fitness club, it’s important to learn about all of the features your club offers to make the most of your membership.
What is a social club?
Social clubs serve a different purpose than fitness clubs do. Social clubs provide an environment for leisure, relaxation, networking, and gathering. You can think of a social club like the cool, mature older brother of a bar.
These clubs are wonderful for anyone looking for a sophisticated place to unwind that fits into their elevated lifestyle. But don’t get confused--this doesn’t mean boring. Social clubs can be a calm place to relax, but they usually have a very lively and exciting atmosphere.
Social clubs host many fun events. From live music to art shows, these clubs are capitals of culture. Even when no events or parties are being thrown, many clubs have bars or restaurants for members to socialize over delicious food and drinks.
What makes social clubs stand out?
Social clubs stand out because of the hospitality they provide. They want their members to be happy, comfortable, and entertained. Because social clubs are centered around socialization (hence the name), their service focuses on fostering that sense of community.
The environment of a social club is inviting and exciting. With talented bartenders crafting eccentric cocktails and music echoing through the room, these clubs are designed for members to have a good time.
It’s like having a nice getaway in your hometown.
What is a social health club?
These clubs go by many names. You may have heard of wellness social clubs, or maybe social fitness clubs. No matter the name, they all have a similar purpose: creating an environment for exercise and socialization all in one place.
Social health clubs combine the different elements of self-care. Physical and social health are equally important for maintaining your homeostasis, so these clubs put it all in one place.
Self-care takes a few different forms at social health clubs. Sometimes, members can visit the club’s lounge or bar to unwind after getting their butt kicked in Pilates. Or, you can connect with others while you connect with yourself in a group meditation class. Maybe you can even hit a DJ cycle class, where full-body workouts and live entertainment converge.
What makes social health clubs stand out?
While fitness clubs and social clubs may cater to a more specific purpose, social health clubs marry the two together for a perfect balance of fitness and friendship.
While they’re still a somewhat new concept to some areas, social health clubs are rising in popularity. Even when they’re working out, people like to have a place to connect with each other.
Some of these clubs focus on one or two specific activities, like yoga, kickboxing, or dance; others are similar to fitness clubs in that they provide a variety of activities. So, social clubs are a fun option whether you know exactly how you like to burn your calories or you like to switch up your routine.
If you like to meet new people, social health clubs are a fantastic place to do that. You can immediately find a common interest with each other, and then you have a wonderful environment to get to know each other even more.
Social health clubs promote self-improvement and self-love through tough workouts and great conversation. So, the atmosphere at a social health club can be refreshing and renewing for its members.
Which type of club should I choose?
When you’re deciding on what kind of club you want to be part of, it’s essential to consider what you’re looking for.
Want a place to burn some calories in a fun way? Opt for a fitness club. Looking for a place to network and socialize? A social club might be a better option. Can’t decide, and want a bit of both? Consider joining a social health club.
It’s also important to analyze your budget. Depending on what amenities are offered, fitness clubs can cost around $70 to $100 per month. Social club dues also vary by level of prestige, but they can range from $75 to $300 per month. Because of all that is offered at a social health club, their monthly dues tend to range from $100 to $200.
Fitness clubs, social clubs, and social health clubs are similar in that they provide a sense of community. But, each club has something different to offer, so it’s up to you to decide what choice is best for you.
Located in Santa Clarita, California, the Paseo Club is the premier club in the region for all things fun and fitness. We want to help you create a healthy, connected lifestyle so you can live your best life. If you want to learn more about our club, visit our website or schedule a tour to see it for yourself. We’re looking forward to meeting you!
Jen Azevedo is a tennis professional, pickleball professional, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, and the general manager of the Paseo Club. She loves the community at the Paseo Club and that it is also a safe and fun place for her daughter. Jen’s favorite activities are joining her tribe for trail races or her partners for tennis matches. Occasionally Jen slows down to relax with a book — she reads over 100 a year!
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