Wellness programming continues to grow in importance as clubs look for ways to help members stay active, mobile and engaged over the long term. At Country Club of Charleston (S.C.), Director of Wellness Kayla Edwards oversees a program that combines personal training, group fitness and recovery services to support members at every stage of life. Edwards spoke with Club + Resort Business about how the wellness offering has evolved, how it connects with other areas of the club and why individualized programming remains central to member participation.
Club + Resort Business (C+RB): Tell us about your role. What does wellness encompass at CC of Charleston?
Kayla Edwards (KE): Wellness is an all-encompassing term for how we help members stay healthy. Within our Wellness Center, we offer personal training, group fitness, chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, and open access to strength and cardio equipment. It is designed to be a place where members can take care of their bodies and feel supported in whatever their goals may be.
C+RB: How did you get into the club industry?
KE: I have been here nearly seven years. My background is in sports marketing and management, and before coming to the club, I worked in specialty retail focused on swim, bike and run, and coached triathlon. This role blends my interests in helping people improve their health while also managing operations behind the scenes.
C+RB: What does the Wellness Center include from a facility standpoint?
KE: We have a shared treatment room used by our chiropractor, massage therapist and acupuncturist, along with a group fitness studio and a main gym floor with strength and cardio equipment, including Pelotons, treadmills and stair steppers. The building is separate from the clubhouse but located on the same property near the pool and other activity areas.
C+RB: How is the wellness team structured?
KE: Our team includes three personal trainers, two group fitness instructors, and contracted providers for chiropractic care, massage therapy and acupuncture, in addition to my role overseeing the department. Many of our providers have been here for five years or more, which creates consistency for members.
C+RB: How has the program evolved over the past several years?
KE: We have seen a shift toward more one-on-one personal training. During the pandemic, many members moved away from group classes and preferred individualized attention. More recently, with the golf course renovation underway, we have seen increased utilization of wellness and tennis as members look for other ways to stay active.
C+RB: How do you tailor programming to such a wide range of members?
KE: Our membership spans multiple generations, from teenagers training for sports to members in their eighties and nineties focused on maintaining mobility and independence. Everything is individualized. We focus on helping members feel strong and confident in whatever activities they enjoy, whether that is golf, travel or daily life.
C+RB: Do you collaborate with other departments at the club?
KE: Yes, we work closely with the golf and tennis teams. We meet regularly to discuss shared members and how training can support performance or prevent injury. With the addition of a golf simulator during the course renovation, we have been able to analyze movement patterns and apply that insight to strength training programs.
C+RB: Where do you see wellness programming heading in the future?
KE: Wellness is always evolving. Trends come and go, but consistency is what produces the best outcomes. Members who engage regularly tend to feel better, stay healthier and remain more active. Our approach is to listen to what members want and adapt programming to support their interests and lifestyles.
