Fitness minded

Getting fit and staying fit has never been mattered more than it does now or so it would seem with the endless stream of stats on the obesity epidemic plaguing America. Heart disease is now recognized as the #1 health threat to women and foods once popular in the grocery aisles are now being relegated to the dustbin of junk-foods (transfats-high breakfast bars, crackers, cakes and cookies to name a few). Hotels have striven (somewhat half-heartedly) to make allowance for the fitness conscious by adding gyms, fitness rooms, spas, workout sessions and other such amenities to their properties. A recent survey by Lieberman research confirms what everyone knew – majority of guests consider hotel gyms an “afterthought’! At the same time, a good 60% of respondents felt that a state-of-the-art gym was an important factor in hotel selection!

Hotels hoping to do better should perhaps survey their guests to construct a gym that meets expectations. Not every midmarket hotel or economy lodge can aspire to offer a state-of-the-art gym on its premises but offering one is better than not offering any at all. Another idea – consult the professionals (big sports clubs) to develop an all-rounded gym that provides a good workout while maintaining standards of space, hygiene and extra options (paid instructor, special training sessions, shower facilities, spas). Needless to say, like the complimentary breakfast, the hotel gym is in need of a makeover!

Published by

Vijay Dandapani

Co-founder and president of a New York based hotel company for 24 years. Grew the firm to five hotels in Manhattan and also developed a greenfield project at MacArthur airport, New York. Speaker at numerous prestigious forums including Economy Hotels World Asia, Lodging Conference, NYU, Columbia University Real Estate Roundtable, Baruch College's Zicklin School and ALIS. President and ceo of New York City Hotel Association since January 2017.