Hotels are bending over backward to help guests get aworkout
I’ve long packed workout clothing and sneakers on my travels, but I haven’t always used them. In the past few months, however, with overall wellness a renewed priority in my life, I’m making more of an effort to spend even 30 minutes a day at the fitness center, on a yoga mat, or in the pool at hotels during my travels.
What I’ve found is this: There’s really no excuse not to work out on vacation. Even at budget motels without on-site gyms, I’ve taken brisk walks around the property. Who cares if people look at you funny as you lap the lobby windows a few times?
Videos downloaded on my laptop and an elastic resistance band allow for quick, in-room strength-training workouts.
I’ve also found some Colorado hotels that make it a lot easier to exercise than others.
Here are a few ways properties around the state go beyond your basic hotel fitness center.
A fleet of complimentary red cruiser bikes— including one tandem— allows guests of The Ruby of Crested Butte (therubyofcrestedbutte) to explore town while burning a few calories. Other properties with free-use bikes: The Little Nell and Limelight Hotel in Aspen and St. Julien Hotel & Spa in Boulder.
Have an eSpinner indoor stationary bike delivered to your room for $25 a day at the Viceroy Snowmass (viceroysnowmass.com). The modern cycles have touch-screen computers offering customized spinning video classes and digital TV tuner, plus iPhone dock.
Borrow New Balance togs— athletic top, pants, socks and running shoes— for $5/day atWestin properties all over the state, including Westin Snowmass, where I sampled the gear. Before you leave your own clothing at home, I’d call and reserve items online (gear.westinwellbeing.com/thegear.html), or otherwise call the concierge to make sure they have your size. Bonus: You get to keep the socks.
Stay in any Keystone Resort (keystoneresort.com) condo or hotel and participate in a complimentary guided summer hike. Trails accommodate different skill levels; consider a mountain trek that includes a lift ride up the ski mountain, a discovery stroll or a fitness hike that promises to burn 2,000 calories.
BeginningMemorial Day, Thug Yoga on the pool deck at Aspen’s Sky Hotel (theskyhotel.com) combines downward dogs with hip-hop music and beer from Aspen Brewing Co. for $10 every Saturday morning. Hotel Jerome in Aspen and HotelMonaco in Denver stock yoga mats in every room.
TheWestin Riverfront at Beaver Creek (westinriverfrontbeavercreek.com) has a Pilates studio with four reformers, a cycling studio with 10 spin bikes outfitted with Computrainer programs, a movement studio with TRX suspension training and more than 80 fee-based group exercise classes weekly. All fitness classes, as well as use of the indoor climbing wall, at the expansive Vail Athletic Club at VailMountain Lodge (vailmountainlodge.com) are complimentary.