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Feb 2005
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Hotels to have in-room fitness options

     Washington: Some hotel chains have innovatively decided that it would be a caring option to offer their customers with in-room fitness options, as most more often than don't fancy prancing around in state-of-the-art gymns after a hard day's work. Two hotel chains -- Marriott and Hilton -- recently announced in- room fitness options for business travelers. Both chains provide low-tech workout equipment - such as mats, weights and resistance tubes - that can be checked out free of charge. The idea is part of a wider trend of expanded fitness offerings at full-service hotels. Beyond the in-room equipment, Hilton has teamed with Bally Total Fitness to offer guests the opportunity to work with Bally personal trainers either at a local Bally club or in the hotel's fitness room. "The consumer is more health-conscious - especially the upscale traveler and the business person," said Mary Tabacchi, a professor at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. "These people demand fitness facilities," she adds. That demand is only going to grow, said Jenny Botero, who helped develop Marriott's new program."Our demographics and our customers are changing. Although the boomers still stay with us, we're really watching the X'ers and some of Generation Y. Fitness is really important to these demographic groups," said Botero.

     Marriott also offers resistance tubes and a weighted device that comes with an accompanying video for aerobic exercise and strength training. Hilton's in-room equipment includes a yoga mat, elastic exercise bands, resistance tubing, and 3- and five-pound hand weights. Personal trainers through Bally are available in most major city Hiltons as well for 55 to 70 dollars an hour. The program has just been introduced from February 1, so Hilton officials say it's too early to gauge its success. The trend is catching up, as another hotel chain going by the name of Westin Hotels and Resorts, has already spent 12 million dollars to build new fitness centers in 53 hotels in North America and the Caribbean. New facilities are set to open this year in 40 Westins in Europe and Asia. The chain says it is working on an in-room fitness product, along with its sister chain, Sheraton. It already offers yoga and other exercise routines via the hotel's TV channel.
- Feb 18, 2005

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