Now a trend, men are heading to the spa

 Make way ladies, more men are now seen heading to the spa to relieve stress, lose weight, get in shape or just to treat themselves.

"In recent years, more men have been seen coming to the spa and they are quite aware of what they want," says Harish Kalathil, Spa Director at the Park Hotel.

Men in the age group of 25 to 30 years old, he says, are attracted to the variety of spa sessions now in vogue.

Industry experts say there is a boom in the men's spa section this year.
"Men are booking spa appointments more than the women. They want prolonged sessions that include sauna bath followed by a proper spa diet," says Shalini Tewari, Corporate Head, Spa and Loyalty, Rejuve, Lalit Suri Hospitality.

While in the West, the spa has gone the express treatment route, at home the sessions have become longer with people wanting an entire wellness package, which includes gym or yoga workout sessions followed by a spa treatment and a spa diet.

"With wellness perspective of spas coming into the limelight sessions have become lengthier with medical focus areas like backache, spondylitis and other such pain. Stress busters and anti-tan packages are also popular," says Kalathil.

The ESPA spa at the Leela hotels offers a special menu for men. Skin brushing and exfoliation, followed by a full body massage using hot stones topped with a finishing scalp massage and gentle stretching promises to leave men feeling soothed and de-stressed.

According to the Spa Association of India the spa and body treatment segment is estimated to grow approximately USD 772 million over the next five to eight years.
Spas are also paying attention to personalisation and using organic products.

"All our products are organic and made inside the spa retreats. For example we have 1800 coconut trees at our spa in Bekal, Kerala. Our coconut oil is made at that property by the method of cold compress and is used in our spa products. People demand for organic products during their session," says Tewari.

Specialised spa diets customised to the clients needs are also being served by various spa resorts in the country.

After the treatment the client is taken to the relaxation area where they are served refreshing drinks according to the spa diet which is then followed by a lunch which is served according to the spa diet," says Kalathil.

With people now looking for value for money options in the spa sector, hotels and stand alone spas have come up with packages suitable for every pocket size.

Spa professionals across the world are also thinking about coming up with spas in corporate offices which will help professional to get rid of their stress in office itself and go home fresh and rejuvenated.

"At the global Spa summit which is going to be held in September this year, we have decided to discuss and implement spas in corporate offices. So, in the coming years spas in offices are a major trend to watch out for," says Kalathil.