Fitness: Gyms Go Designer

Mood Lighting: Milan's Younique gym and spa pays attention to the details
By Tiffanie Wen NEWSWEEK

Those seeking a gym worthy of their Stella McCartney exercise clothes are in luck. A new wave of luxury fitness centers allows exercise lovers to work up a sweat in high-concept spaces designed by brand-name architects.

London's trendy $10 million Gymbox even resembles a high-end nightclub. Created by Ben Kelly and the award-winning firm Light and Design, the space offers neon lighting, film projections, split-level flooring and a "floating" dance studio that can turn into a nightclub at the flip of a switch (www.gymbox.co.uk).

The 1,700-square-meter Younique fitness club and spa in Milan features a downstairs spa area that includes a Swarovski-crystal-studded sauna, Turkish bath and warm-massage waterbeds (yhc.it). Famed design firm Conran and Partners transformed an old glass factory in Cambridge, England, into Glassworks, a sleek new health club that preserves the original timber roof and exposed-brick walls. It also boasts a ground-level Jacuzzi, where members can view boats passing on the river through one-way glass (theglassworksgym.co.uk).

New York's Equinox gym chain features the by-invitation-only E Club, which is limited to 200 members. Entrance to the gym on Columbus Circle is gained through an iris scan. The $2,000 monthly membership includes access to private changing cabanas and Frette robes, an elite group of personal trainers and Olympic-quality training equipment (equinoxfitness.com).

For complete privacy, the Technogym Kinesis Personal Heritage home machine allows for more than 200 resistance-based exercises but takes up just one square meter of space. The limited-edition gold model is completely hand-covered in gold leaf, guaranteeing that even those who slack off from their workout routines have something pretty to look at ($19,950; www.technogym.com).

© 2008

Finding The Best Spas And Resorts

By Josie Lee

Most of us live very hectic lives so being able to take the time to relax at a spa and resort is something we deserve. To ensure you get the most out of the vacation time it is important to carefully conduct research. You want to find the very best spas and resorts available for you to spend your time at. You also want to get your money's worth. Even if you are on a budget you can find some excellent spas and resorts to stay at. Look for special promotions and discounts online. You can also sign up for free newsletters because they often come with special features for those on the mailing list only.

To get the best rates on top spas and resorts travel during the off season. While it may be a different vibe if you go in the off season you can easily save half the cost or more. This is because they don’t want the spas and resorts sitting empty during the slower periods of the year. You will also save the most money if you plan your trip to spas and resorts during the weekdays instead of the weekends. Check in on a Monday and leave on a Friday to beat the crowds and safe a ton of money.

It is important to realize the term “the best” spas and resorts means something completely different for everyone. You need to identify what you are looking for in a spa and resort and then find those that meet your standards. Don’t waste your money on spas and resorts that offer package deals where most of the amenities you won’t be taking part in. It is well worth it to use those spas and resorts that offer everything you are looking for. You should look for individualized packages so you only pay for what you will be using.

The internet is a wonderful resource for finding quality spas and resorts that will meet your needs. You can search for them by the amenities you are looking for or by location. Some people want to spend their time at a spa or resort in a particular area of the world. That is a good way to see other sites as well as treat yourself to some amazing pampering.

Many sites online show you virtual tours of spas and resorts. You can see how your room will look, find the qualifications of those who will be performing services on you, and get a quote for your stay there all at the same place. This definitely cuts down on the time it takes to find the right spas and resorts. You also will know exactly what to expect so you won’t be disappointed upon arriving.

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