"Fitness Amenities are Being Expanded in Master-Planned Communities, Private Communities Registry Finds"
Issue:
June 7, 2001
VERO BEACH, Fla., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Move over golf; fitness and health amenities are gaining in popularity. In fact, fitness has so increased in importance to the gated, amenitized lifestyle that Private Communities Registry established another Web-site address, www.fitnesscommunities.com to assist those seeking healthy living options.
Although fitness amenities are not new, there's a definite increase in the communities that offer professional trainers, individualized programs, dieticians, and high-tech workout equipment. Some communities even offer wellness centers complete with professional staff, which provide residents with monitoring and counseling to ensure individual needs are met.
"We've noticed that the square footage allotted to fitness amenities keeps expanding," said Marie Roberts, co-founder of PrivateCommunities.com. "More communities are offering indoor and outdoor spas, aquatic centers and sports facilities. Lighted jogging trails, and indoor walking tracks are also rising in popularity."
The Cliffs Communities are carving their niche as "wellness communities." Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Greenville, SC, these neighborhoods go beyond golf, tennis and swimming to provide diverse opportunities and amenities for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Amy Rosenberg, wellness director for the four Cliffs communities, says her "purpose in life is to help people move forward on a path to wellness." The Cliffs' wellness programs include yoga, Tai Chi, college lecture series, kayaking, massage therapy, mountain gardening, shagging lessons (the official state dance of South Carolina), and more.
Aside from the obvious physical advantages of a healthy workout, the camaraderie that develops among neighbors brings benefits that translate into a fresh mental perspective that positively impacts the whole community. One community, The Mount Vintage Plantation in North Augusta, South Carolina, has planned to implement a recreation complex that includes a community garden.
The opportunities for good health and fun recreation in master-planned communities seem to be endless. One reason is that community planners are positioning their communities for youthful-minded residents who are pursuing an active lifestyle.
