Hotels Get Creative To Help Guests Stay Fit While Traveling
Both the Westin and Hilton hotels are coming up with creative ways to make staying fit while traveling easy and convenient for their guests.
Staying consistent with a running or workout routine while traveling can be tough. Whether a trip is for work or for pleasure, a change in schedule can throw off even the most rigid of fitness fanatics. However, two hotel chains are doing their best to promote the ease and availability of exercise with their guests.
Westin Hotels Partners with New Balance and Peloton
Westin Hotels recently interviewed guests worldwide in an effort to understand their fitness habits. They found that 25 percent of respondents are most in control of their exercise routine while traveling if they work out between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Additionally 45 percent of those polled said they intend to run while traveling.
Because many guests were early risers, Westin has added safety elements to their successful Gear Lending Program. Guests can now rent reflective wristbands and light up sneaker clips, along with New Balance apparel and shoes, for $5. Run Concierges at each hotel provide guests with maps of runner-friendly routes in the area. All of this is intended to help travelers stick to their before sunrise routine while staying safe.
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“Whether at home or on the road, often the only time guests have for themselves is the morning, said Brian Povinelli, SVP and Global Brand Leader of Westin Hotels & Resorts, in a statement. “Fueled by our guests’ passion for running and the brand’s promise to empower travelers to move well, we hope this extension to our Gear Lending program will inspire travelers to rise early and own their morning.”
In addition, Westin has also partnered with Peloton, makers of indoor stationary bikes with streaming access to live and pre-filmed spin classes. Guests can either ride Peloton bikes in WestinWORKOUT fitness centers or book a room with a bike in it. Both options are only available in select hotels right now, but Westin is hoping to expand the partnership throughout the year.
Hilton Hotels Change In-Room Fitness
Hilton Hotels have also found that their health-conscious guests were more likely to work out when access to equipment was convenient. They partnered with Aktiv, a company specializing in fitness facility design and supply, to create an in-room exercise experience called “5 Feet to Fitness.” The hotel chain wanted their guests to have multiple workout options in the privacy of their own space.
![Hilton_Five Feet to Fitness Room_Yoga[1][1]](https://www.podiumrunner.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Hilton_Five-Feet-to-Fitness-Room_Yoga11.jpg?width=730)
“The challenge for everybody, no matter if you’re a competitive athlete or just a road warrior, is that people need to find convenient and accessible ways to exercise,” says Aktiv CEO Brian Green.
With that in mind, Hilton and Aktiv strived to pick equipment that was functional and familiar to a majority of guests. The fitness area also takes up as little space as possible. They also kept in mind that many guests didn’t have the time or the desire to go to a common fitness area, especially when traveling for work.
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“The basis is first getting the right exercise balance and really being mindful of space,” Green said. “There are a lot of people less comfortable with exercising publicly. You’ll get the form right. You’ll have the space to do it in and you don’t have to leave the guest room.”
These fitness rooms come outfitted with equipment such as medicine balls, SandBells, a BOSU ball, and a bike. The storage for all of these tools is compact, only taking up a few feet of space. Five Feet to Fitness is centered on an in-room kiosk that acts as a virtual trainer. Choices of workouts are extensive and include yoga, spin, high-intensity intervals and even foam rolling. The virtual trainer is meant to provide clear instructions. It even gives instant bio-feedback when paired with wearable tech.
“We have created a system for guidance in the room,” notes Green. “You don’t need to be a workout expert. You don’t need a personal trainer. Guests just need to roll out of bed and decide what type of workout is appealing to you.”
Currently the Five Feet to Fitness rooms are only available in San Francisco and Tysons Corner, Va. However they are coming soon to Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York and San Diego.