A state-of-the-art gymnasium with cutting edge equipment and a stress-free environment for the ultimate workout is what travellers today seek and hotels must comply with this demand. Fitness facilities are thus, no longer an option for hotels. It is in fact the influencing factor when selecting a hotel.
Dr Darshana Sawale, spa manager, The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, Pune, concurs. “Gymnasiums are an excellent way to relax and unwind for guests. Today’s hotels are increasingly trying to cater to fitness-focused travelers. It acts as a deciding factor for potential customers when booking accommodation.”
Guests do not wish to miss their fitness regimen when travelling, and thus prefer hotels with a well-equipped gym and other fitness options. Many guests prefer gyms bathed in natural daylight, with state-of-the-art equipment that enables them to reach their fitness goals leading to a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Echoing the same sentiment, Pravin Yadav, recreation executive, JW Marriott Mumbai, says, “Our gym was recently renovated and has a beautiful décor and landscape view.We use the recent new-age technology strength and cardio vascular machines from Italy. We have a good sound system installed in the gym which ensures our guest an all-round experience.”
In fact this is not just about any gym, since the discerning guest seeks only the best. “This is a phenomenon that the hospitality industry has come to terms with and has realised the importance of a good gym facility,” reveals Deepak Dewan, CMD, Cardio Fitness India.
Sawale adds, “Amidst the hustle and bustle of corporate life and business travel, fitness programmes offered at Westin WORKOUT create a successful work-life balance. Accessible throughout the day and night, the state-of-the-art health facility features free weights, Startrac cardiovascular equipment and strength training to restore complete wellness.”
While a guest may want an unobtrusive workout, there are others, who may expect a fitness trainer at the hotel to deliver an in-house workout. “With the fitness industry changing all the time, personal trainers should have up-to-date knowledge. This ensures that they are able to provide guests with the latest knowledge on fitness. We always promote and encourage our fitness instructors to attend conferences and seminars on the latest fitness training techniques,” says Yadav of JW Marriott Mumbai.
Fitness instructors at Westin Pune, interact with guests and suggest a workout as per their convenience and health problems. Assessing the details of guests, the fitness instructor creates a personalised workout schedule by monitoring the guest closely to achieve an overall feeling of wellness.
In terms of equipment too, hotels opt only for the best. Park Hyatt Hyderabad uses only Techno gym equipment, based on scientifically accurate principles for injury free workouts. JW Marriott Mumbai too relies on Techno Gym.
Sawale of Westin Pune reveals, “Star Trac has been a leader in developing advanced equipment for the fitness industry for over three decades and is focused on providing products and programmes to mould lifelong habits for health and fitness. Its user-focused product innovations are reflected in the complete line of cardiovascular products, and a complete selection of strength equipment. We use only their products.”
With hotels becoming demanding, fitness companies too are rising to the occasion. Cardio Fitness India (CFI) is a pioneer in the fitness equipment industry in India and represents some of the leading brands of the world such as Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Helo, Amerec, Gym 80, First Degree, Toma Hawk, Body Craft, Beachcomber and so on.
Technology has always been cutting-edge especially in the areas of health and fitness and hotels have been quick to adopt these. Elaborating further, Yadav says, “these days one can find different equipment for different body parts and types. One can do a single muscle exercise with a particular machine and that is how intrinsic the fitness regime has become. There are multi-functional equipment which can aid different parts of the body too. We have some of those with which one can focus on specific body parts like triceps, biceps, shoulder, back, etc.”
At the Westin Workout, they make use of the E Series from Star Trac. With features like HD TV screens, Star Trac Coach, and the SoftTrac impact absorption system, the E-Series Star Trac treadmill is the perfect blend of entertainment and luxury. Centred dual-adjustable personal fans create a more rewarding workout.
The Life Fitness brand has equipped their products with “discover technology” in the new elevation series. This technology enhances interaction, internet connectivity and entertainment options in tablet consoles on treadmills, cross-trainers and bikes. “‘Discover Technology has easy-to-use interface, personal identification technology, engage other community networks and can easily connect to android and apple phones,” informs Deepak Dewan.
Safety of guests too is a major concern and trainers need to be well-qualified and alert. “Guest safety is most important. All fitness trainers are well trained and qualified. They are also certified in first aid, CPR & AED. They make sure that the guests use all the equipment in a safe way and assist them for proper handling of the gym equipment,” explains Sawale.
Park Hyatt Hyderabad goes a step ahead when it comes to safety. “A complete health history assessment of the guest is maintained. Warming up and cooling down techniques are emphasised upon with a focus on THR & MHR before cardio as well as a fitness test assessment. The gym is also equipped with AED & emergency alarm,” says Smita D’silva, spa manager, Park Hyatt Hyderabad.
The maintenance of a gym is equally important so that there is no compromise where guests are concerned. Most hotels opt for annual maintenance contracts with the companies they purchase their equipment from. “We also have specialised technicians from Technogym who inspect and service the machines regularly,” says Yadav.
Sawale of Westin adds, “As per our brand standards, we replace all our cardio equipment every five years and all our resistance equipment every seven years.”
Fitness today extends to beyond the precincts of a gym. D’silva agrees. “In order to meet the requirement of each individual pertaining to his own physical strength and needs, the locality he belongs to and the nature of his job, we offer him flexibility training, cardio vascular endurance training, movement training, muscular hypertrophy training, muscular strength training and circuit training. Besides this, yoga, power yoga, pilates, aerobics and hydrotherapy are also offered with assistance.”
At Westin Pune too, guests can elevate their energy levels on the treadmill, tone up with strength machines or can grab a mat to stretch and let go of stress. The airy surroundings of WestinWORKOUT fitness studios feature the finest exercise equipment from world-class brands for all levels of performance. The hotel provides everything a guest needs for an exhilarating workout, so they can energize or de-stress anytime during the day or night.
JW Marriott Mumbai holds aerobics, yoga and zumba classes on a regular basis for guests. Additionally, they have recently launched the fitness transformation programme, a one-of-a-kind intensive wellness regime designed to transform the guests’ existing fitness levels.
Whether it is a gym or a fitness centre, hotels today ensure their guests can indulge in their fitness regimen daily as per their routine, helping them achieve their much-needed work-life balance.
