The Pivot: Hotel Workouts During COVID Times
When COVID shut downs began in the spring of 2020, gyms and fitness studios suffered some of the heaviest losses. Today, most states have allowed gyms and studios to reopen with reduced capacity, mask-wearing, and social distancing measures, including hotel gyms. Many hotels are going a step further by implementing new pandemic-friendly fitness programming, some of which might be here to stay for the long-term.
Some hotels are privatizing fitness altogether. In West Hollywood, the Andaz West Hollywood can now be booked for private 45-minute sweat sessions. The hotel, which disinfects the room (and the free weights, yoga mats, medicine balls, treadmills, and ellipticals) after every appointment, can organize one-on-one fitness training, too. The Proper in Santa Monica also now takes private reservations for 3 separate workout areas for guests wanting to hit the gym during their stay.
In New Mexico, the Four Season’s Rancho Encantado boasts a 1,200-square-foot fitness center, with cardio and weight-lifting machines, and is available for individual reservations lasting up to two hours. But the property can also set up workout nooks on the 200-square-foot patios of the guest casitas. A standard fitness kit with free weights, resistance bands, and healthy drinks and snacks can be delivered, but more dedicated gym bunnies can request larger equipment (like a stationary bike), too. Essentially, if the hotel has it and can easily transport it, you can have it.
Dana Point's Monarch Beach Resort has set up an enormous outdoor pavilion for guests to exercise. Featuring 40 weekly classes that are offered in various al fresco locations around the 175-acre oceanfront grounds. By going outside and bringing a full range of equipment with it (from Peloton bikes to weight-loading squat racks), this setup ends up providing the closest approximation to a typical gym-going experience.
For travelers who prefer to sweat in the comfort of their rooms or outdoors, there are apps that can lead you through some heart pounding workouts while on the go. Our favorite is Variis, an app created by Equinox with workouts from Soul Cycle, Rumble, Metcon and other Equinox favorites.
Safe travels.