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M: This morning on Take It Off Today, Staying in Shape on the Road. Just because you are staying at a hotel does not mean your exercise routine has to suffer although too often it probably does. Women’s Health’s contributing editor Lisa Drayer says there are many hotel chains catering to your every workout need. Lisa, good morning, nice to see you.
W: Good morning, nice to see you.
M: So this is a big thing for hotels right now. It is a growing trend. Why do you think that is?
W: Well, you know, consumers have become increasingly health-conscious, so when we travel, we are looking for a hotel that not only has a comfortable bed and a nice lobby, but also one that will allow us to maintain our fitness regimen while we are on the road. So because of these trends, Women’s Health took a look at some of the major hotel chains throughout the country, including Fairmont, Candlewood Suites, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and Westin, and what we found was that all these hotel chains had either improved their fitness offerings, or they had implemented brand-new ones.
M: And you found that a lot of their clients are looking for an outlet when they are on the road and don’t want their routines to suffer.
W: Absolutely not, especially because many of us travel a lot of the time, so...
M: Yeah, increasingly. Let’s take a look at some of those offerings. We are gonna begin with Hyatt, and you really like the amenities from Hyatt, so why is that?
W: Right. Hyatt is definitely one of the leaders in terms of their fitness offerings. They now offer Stay Fit @Hyatt Gyms open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So basically you can work out any time a day. And they’ve also recently partnered with Yoga Away, so they actually offer in-room yoga videos, in fact, even during their bedtime turndown service; they will give the guest a card with specific breathing instructions, and they will also guide the guest, to a bedtime yoga video. So lots of yoga videos are available.
M: This is yoga. There is an alternative choice.
W: That’s right. This is your bedtime yoga workout, and it’s free of charge. The hotel will also provide yoga mats and balls, and a couple of other perks as well. Hyatt will also offer workout apparel delivered to your room in under an hour, available for purchase.
M: No excuses for living at home.
W: That’s right, and you know, some guests will even get a wrist-top GPS monitor, so runners can easily navigate back to the hotel, also monitors heart rate, distance and calories burned.
M: OK, we’ve got a lot to get to, so let’s move past Hyatt and go on to Westin really quickly. What’s Westin doing right now?
W: Westin is great. They now offer Westin workout rooms, so you could work out in the privacy of your own room. There is various equipment, you can either get a Reebok cycle or a treadmill, as well as dumbbells and various videos, DVDs, Pilates, yoga and spinning. So a great perk with Westin. It is available for an additional charge. So, we are talking about 20 dollars above market-room rates. But it’s great for business travelers. So they can fit in their workout routine whenever their schedule permits.
M: At Fairmont Hotel, there is what’s called Fairmont Fit.
W: Right, we love the Fairmont Fit Program because the staff will deliver Adidas workout gear free of charge to your room, everything.
M: Brand-new?
W: Yeah! Everything from T-shirts to shorts to sneakers, so if you are one of those travelers who overpacks your suitcase and you just don’t have room to bring your workout clothes, there is no need to worry.
M: It helps a lot for a lot of travelers who are trying to take only a canyon. When they go traveling, they need not bring that sort of thing.
W: Exactly, we don’t like to bring a whole wardrobe. They’ll also give MP3 players with extensive players. You just have to be part of the Fairmont Presidents’ Club, which is free to join.
M: Two more to get to. Let’s make sure we hit Hilton. What are they offering?
W: Right, Hilton has partnered with Precor, the exercise equipment company. So they now offer fitness by Precor Exercise Facilities, everything from Precor treadmills to elliptical machines and stairmasters, also plasma TVs which are either mounted on the walls, or are part of the actual machines. You can watch your favorite program while you break a sweat.
M: And quickly Marriott?
W: Right. Now it has their "Great Health, Fit for You" Program that offers cutting-edge exercise choices and healthy eating choices. They offer three different in-room options, including a workout designed by a navy seal, a former navy seal, or you can go to their gyms which are open 24 hours a day. Fresh fruit, filtered water, and healthy cuisine.
M: Good ideas, Lisa Drayer, thank you very much.