Work out wonder homes
- Wearable tech for health and fitness is set to explode in 2015
- Research specialist say 6.7 million adults currently measure fitness using technology and that could double in 2015 (Kantar)
- 78% of property buyers in Virginia Water are after space for a home gymnasium (Barton Wyatt)
Zumba, Fitbit and TRX are all words that have become part of the daily dialect for many. The UK’s ever changing vocabulary is including more words that have originated from the sports world as people become fixated with bettering their physique and improving their diet.
High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) became the number one fitness trend in 2014 according to the annual survey conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). It was perfect for busy people who wanted a fast and challenging workout that delivered results. The survey predicts it will rank second in 2015.
Taking the coveted number 1 spot this year will be body weight training according to the ACSM. A perfect work out which can be done in small spaces and uses your own body weight as a cantilever rendering expensive monthly gym memberships redundant.
Wearable technology has also become one of the latest fads on the fitness market. Wristbands that measure calories, steps, heart beat and can also let you know if you had a good night sleep complete existing smartphone technology syncing your daily exercise and overall health. A recent study by market research group Kantar are projecting that the ‘wearable tech’ market in the UK could jump to 13.1 million users in 2015 (over double the current number at 6.7 million).
The launch of the Apple Watch will undoubtedly help to achieve this figure. Apple Watch gives the wearer a complete picture of their all-day activity. The activity app show the daily progress and help motivate you to sit less, move more and get some exercise. It’s also an advanced sports watch, giving you real-time stats for a variety of the most popular workouts. Over time, Apple Watch learns the owner’s activity and fitness levels thus enabling it to suggest personalised goals. It even provides custom reminders to encourage you to achieve them.
Property guru and estate agent James Wyatt, Partner of Barton Wyatt in Surrey, is at the forefront of selling homes to buyers with health and fitness foremost in their minds, he comments,
“Having watched my friends and associates being lured into the wearable technology world, I find myself following! I have to admit I was tempted by this Apple watch but I have gone for the more affordable Fitbit to see how I do with that before weighing out for a pricey watch!”
“It appears that the average property purchaser in patch of Surrey is very keen on keeping healthy too. Most of our buyers are after substantial family homes and they want the house to have or have the potential room for a multi-gym. These gyms are not all flamboyant – some are small rooms with a handful of weights – others have lots of expensive equipment. One thing they virtually all have though is a large flat screen television linked to the internet!”
With the help of the internet and platforms such as YouTube it’s never been an easier time to get fit and remain motivated. The number of online workout videos and tech-platforms that can track your progress, offer advice and allow you to connect with your fitness pals is growing at an alarming rate. Slipping into some Lycra and popping on a Jane Fonda VHS is a thing of the past – today you can download an Insanity Fast & Furious 20-Minute Workout and off you go!
James goes on to comment about how buyers’ needs have changed in recent years,
“30 years ago no one ever asked for a gym in their home, we had the odd request for a massage room or a swimming pool but it wasn’t common. Today fibre optic broadband, wall to ceiling mirrors and in the most luxurious gyms – a sprung floor – have almost become as essential as a walk-in wardrobe. The wonderful thing is that most ‘fitness’ rooms can be retro-introduced into a house. It’s only a sports complex in the basement that needs heavy duty planning.”
Indeed Personal Trainers and private Pilates instructors are a highly sought after accessory in the depths of North Surrey. Paying as much as £75 per hour for the luxury of a home trainer who will help to keep your motivation going to achieve the ultimate bendy body.
Wyatt laughs:
“It used to be essential to have a Range Rover and a pony – now the locals compete over the best Personal Trainers how many times a week you can fit in a Pilates class. I have to be honest I have tried it myself and I definitely feel more flexible after an hour!
“Many of the homes we sell have fully kitted gymnasiums, these are perfect for your PT session or just to de-stress after work – which is what I generally use it for. Half an hour of breaking into a sweat and watching the news helps to take your mind off work.
“Some of our clients have gone the extra mile fitting instant iced water dispensers, wrap around mirrors, ballet bars and surround sound systems to their gyms. In the more extravagant homes around here you will find large underground swimming pools with Jacuzzi, steam rooms, saunas and even changing rooms!”
For those looking to complement their home fitness outdoors then Virginia water in North Surrey is the perfect place. The notable Wentworth Club, a timeless golfing haven, has welcomed numerous great sporting members over the years with the tennis courts, state of the art gymnasium and swimming hugely popular with local residents.
On the Market:
Below is a selection of properties on the market in North Surrey perfect for buyers looking for a sporting haven:
Wilton, Wentworth Estate, Virginia Water £4,950,000
A magnificent family home built to an exceptional specification and finish, superbly situated on an elevated site at the end of Woodlands Road East, a prestigious and sought after road within the
Wilton has been designed for a contemporary family lifestyle with a stunning kitchen/breakfast/family room area with doors opening onto the delightful gardens. The more formal ground floor reception rooms are of elegant proportions and enjoy tall ceilings and windows, light being a theme throughout the house.
There is also a large gymnasium on the ground floor which is air conditioned as is the master bedroom and kitchen/family room. A link between the gymnasium and the main house has a secondary staircase giving access to the rear landing of the house as well as the staff flat over the large three car garage. The flat also has the ability to be completely independent with its own staircase and front door.
Upstairs over two floors is the enormous master bedroom suite, four further en-suite bedrooms and another two bedrooms which share a bathroom
The house enjoys a secluded garden facing east at the rear and amounts to approximately 0.75 of an acre in all.
Broomfield House, Windlesham £4,350,000
This magnificent family house features an incredible array of modern day living. A CAT 5 integrated request audio system with speakers through out many rooms, in intercom facility throughout the house, security cameras and a state –of- the art Rako mood lighting system.
The accommodation comprises a fabulous kitchen which was featured in Beautiful Kitchens in May 2009 and utility room. An impressive entrance hall with marbled flooring and chandelier leads to a further six reception rooms include a study and conservatory. The master bedroom includes en-suite and dressing room, four further bedrooms (2 en-suite), a further family bathroom.
The recreation area includes a multi gym, a pool and jacuzzi. There is a steam room and shower plus separate changing rooms. A custom built bar area which has access onto a terrace via 10m fully retractable glass doors.
The property also includes a detached triple garage block with staff flat above. The flat includes a private entrance, kitchen, living area, bedroom and bathroom.
Grounds extend to approximately 1.7 acres including a tennis court.
Crossland House, Virginia Water £1,100,000, £1,495,000 AND £2,000,000
Currently Barton Wyatt have three homes available on Virginia Park. Crossland House is a stunning Grade I listed centrepiece of Virginia Park which is a prestigious gated development with extensive communal leisure facilities.
For sales is a detached house built when the site was redeveloped and two large properties which are set within the main house.
The communal facilities in Virginia Park are extensive and include 24 hour manned security at the gate, a superb indoor swimming pool complex with hammer beam ceiling, a gym, converted sports hall chapel, tennis court and communal grounds.
For more details contact Barton Wyatt on 01344 843000 or visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk.