Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes
Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Next Level Machines
Gone are the days of tired treadmills and a couple dumbbells in the corner of the hotel fitness center. Today's luxury properties are outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment to satisfy even the most hardcore gym rats. We're talking next level machines that go far beyond standard free weights and cardio.
Hotels are investing serious money into their fitness offerings, catering to guests who refuse to let their routines slide, even on vacation. Westin partnered with Peloton to bring branded stationary bikes to select properties, while Equinox crafted customized machines for its first hotel in New York.
These aren't your average ellipticals. Equinox consulted with Italy's Technogym to create a line of innovative products including an adaptive motion trainer that reads your movement patterns and adjusts resistance accordingly. The Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas houses Technogym kinesis walls featuring pulleys and cables for dynamic, full-body training.
Looking to take your workout to new heights? Check into the Four Seasons Westlake Village near Los Angeles. Their fitness center contains an antigravity treadmill by AlterG that uses air pressure technology to reduce body weight for low impact running. These NASA-approved "anti-gravity" machines use air pressure to lift you, reducing strain on joints while still providing an effective cardio workout.
Meanwhile the mega gym at The Ranch Malibu includes a custom-made VeggieHeat infrared sauna. This high tech sauna heats your body directly while keeping air temperatures low, allowing for longer sweat sessions. For an extra muscle-soothing treat, fonts can be added to dispense essential oils.
Chattanooga, Tennessee's Choo Choo Hotel fitted their fitness room with a floor-to-ceiling rock climbing wall and Solutions Recovery iFerVR station. This virtual reality machine transports you through digitally simulated paths while you walk, run, or cycle. It's perfect for distraction-free training or adventure seekers looking to climb Kilimanjaro from the hotel gym.
What else is in this post?
- Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Next Level Machines
- Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Virtual Reality Takes Sweating to New Dimensions
- Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Trendy Group Classes for Every Fitness Level
- Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Outdoor Bootcamps and Beachfront Yoga
- Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Luxury Gyms Offering One-on-One Training
- Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Healthy Cuisine and Juice Bars
- Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - High Tech Features Like Body Scanners and Fitness Trackers
Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Virtual Reality Takes Sweating to New Dimensions
Virtual reality is transforming hotel gyms into immersive fitness worlds where you can hike tropical beaches or scale towering peaks without ever leaving your exercise bike. VR takes sweating to exhilarating new dimensions that make mundane cardio machines feel fresh and fun again.
According to Forbes, virtual reality gyms and fitness classes are exploding in popularity. Major hotel chains are taking notice and bringing VR equipment into their fitness centers. Hilton partnered with virtual reality company Black Box VR to install their motion tracking gym system at select properties. This award-winning tech transforms strength training into an interactive, sci-fi inspired game.
Wearing a VR headset, you enter a virtual world where your movements trigger effects like smashing asteroids or taking down robots. The game integrates seamlessly with cable-based resistance equipment to provide a full body workout. Sensors track your motion so you feel fully immersed in the experience.
Reviews of Black Box VR praise this gamified approach for making exercise engaging and distraction-free. The visual stimulation also pushes users to exert more effort. Studies show VR workouts increase exercise intensity by up to 200% compared to traditional equipment.
Another pioneer in virtual reality fitness is VirZOOM. Their VR stationary bike lets you pedal your way through racing games, flight simulators, and more. Peleton recently acquired the company and is bringing their technology to hotel fitness centers.
For example, the new Equinox Hotel New York has custom VirZOOM bikes in their cycling studio. Jump in the saddle and choose your adventure - compete in an off-road dirt bike race or fly a dragon through enchanted worlds. VirZOOM's platform includes rides for all ages and skill levels so anyone can explore exotic locales from the seat of their bike.
Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Trendy Group Classes for Every Fitness Level
Hotel fitness centers are shaking up tired routines by offering on-trend group classes that appeal to guests of all athletic abilities. Regardless of your fitness level, you'll find specialty workouts to jumpstart your endorphins and motivation. Classes range from beginner-friendly circuits to sweat-dripping HIIT sessions set to bumping playlists.
Hotels are partnering with boutique studios to bring popular programming on the road. Barry's Bootcamp, a clubby interval training concept with a cult following, holds pop-up classes at select Four Seasons. Their high-energy, full-body workouts intersperse cardio sprints on the treadmill with strength training sections fueled by heart-pumping music. Athletes of all levels are pushed to maximum effort while infectious energy from fellow class-goers keeps you digging deep.
The newly opened Equinox Hotel partners with model-favored studio The Class to lead guests through transformative total body conditioning focused on form. While cranking up your heart rate, instructors provide personal attention to ensure proper technique. Varied class formats like yoga sculpt appeal to both novice yogis and fitness fanatics.
TRX suspension training is another trending hotel gym offering. The JW Marriott Miami partnered with TRX to install state-of-the-art suspension rigs for guests to develop strength, balance, and mobility through lever and gravity based exercises. TRX Fenom classes add cardio intervals to full-body resistant training. This method caters especially to women seeking an empowering, rounded workout.
Travelers staying at select Westin and Element properties can break a sweat in an XBlast class. This CrossFit-inspired session led by an SGX-certified coach builds total body endurance through constantly varied, high intensity movements. XBlast workouts incorporate rowing machines, kettlebells, battle ropes, and more into timed stations and circuits. The varied, full-throttle training keeps your body guessing.
Y7 Studio holds pop-up yoga sessions at the new Pendry West Hollywood focused on vinyasa sequences choreographed to hip hop. Flowing briskly through linked poses set to the beat builds internal heat for a cleansing sweat while having fun. The athletic yoga style appeals to men along with traditional yogis. High intensity meets a chill vibe.
Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Outdoor Bootcamps and Beachfront Yoga
Nothing refreshes the mind, body and soul quite like exercising surrounded by nature's beauty. Hotel fitness centers are taking workouts outside with bootcamps on sunny lawns and yoga classes with oceanfront views. Fresh air and vitamin D provide a welcome break from stuffy indoor gyms.
Outdoor workouts connect you to your environment for an immersive fitness experience. According to research from Cornell University, people who sweat outdoors report increased energy, decreased anxiety, and an amplified sense of well-being compared to indoor exercisers. Exercising close to nature quite literally changes our brain chemistry for the better.
The Equinox Hotel in Los Angeles offers a variety of outdoor classes, from their signature high-intensity interval training on an ocean-view terrace to meditative yoga overlooking the Santa Monica Pier. Hotel guests can sign up for personal training sessions on the beach, with sand resistance adding a new challenge to mobility drills and plyometrics. Waves crashing nearby provide a soothing soundtrack to these outdoor workouts.
The Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina Beach invites guests to rise and grind at their picturesque oceanfront bootcamp. Led by expert trainers, this total body conditioning class takes place on lush green lawns against a backdrop of gentle waves. Expect to torch calories with circuits that alternate cardio intervals of sprints or battling ropes with compound strength moves using sandbags, kettlebells, and suspension trainers. The Vitamin D and negative ions from the sea will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on the day.
Beachfront yoga classes are ideal for guests seeking a more restorative session surrounded by nature’s beauty. Breathing in the fresh ocean air and listening to waves lap onshore helps you sink deeper into poses designed to lengthen the body and quiet the mind. Flowing seaside vinyasa sequences counterbalance intensity from other workouts earlier that day. The Pendry San Diego holds daily beach yoga classes at sunrise or sunset for guests to practice mindfulness against a pacific panorama. Downward dog never felt so rejuvenating.
Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Luxury Gyms Offering One-on-One Training
For fitness fanatics who want undivided attention from a seasoned pro, hotels are delivering exclusive one-on-one training sessions in fully equipped gyms. This specialized approach allows you to accomplish targeted goals with expert guidance tailored to your unique needs. Whether you want to nail a new lifting technique, overhaul your running form, or take your yoga practice to the next level, personal trainers at luxury hotels provide focused instruction in a private setting.
According to Men’s Journal, wealthy travelers are increasingly seeking fitness experiences on par with other high-end amenities. On-demand personal training delivers just that. Sessions let you tap into expert knowledge for maximum results in minimum time. Trainers assess strengths and problem areas to create customized programming. Hands-on adjustments and feedback ensure proper execution of every rep. You’ll also receive nutritional advice and recovery techniques specific to your regimen.
Personalized attention provides accountability and motivation to push beyond self-imposed limitations. Trainers act as a coach, therapist and drill sergeant all in one to squeeze every ounce of effort from your workout. One-on-one training while on the road prevents losing momentum on fitness goals. Whether preparing for an important event like a marathon or simply seeking measurable improvements in strength and mobility, personal training keeps you on track.
According to Today Show host Kathie Lee Gifford, regular sessions at Four Seasons gyms with renowned trainer Craig Ramsay helped her stay camera-ready in her 60s. Their targeted strength and conditioning work transformed her physique, boosted energy levels and sharpened mental focus. Celebrity clientele like Oprah also rely on Craig during stays at Four Seasons resorts to take their fitness to the next level through lifts, drills and recovery techniques tailored to their lifestyle.
Canyon Ranch resorts are renowned destinations for personalized health and wellness experiences. Their state-of-the-art fitness centers and spa facilities provide the ultimate environment for transformative one-on-one training. Trainers incorporate nature into sessions with desert hikes or stand-up paddleboard workouts to immerse you in the stunning surroundings. You can also request training modalities like Gyrokinesis for specialized movement patterning or personal yoga focused on targeted goals like improved balance.
Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - Healthy Cuisine and Juice Bars
After an intense workout, refueling with nutritious fare is key. Luxury hotels are keeping guests energized by offering farm-fresh cuisine and cold-pressed juices from artisanal juice bars. These healthy options provide the vitamins and minerals your body craves post-sweat sesh.
According to Healthline, exercise creates an increased demand for nutrients and antioxidants to aid muscle repair and recovery. The micro-tears that develop during strenuous training require the right nutrients to rebuild stronger than before. Loading up on whole foods after your hotel gym session ensures your efforts translate to real results.
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills understands this need, which is why their on-site juice bar produces organic, locally-sourced potions. Cold-pressing maintains the integrity of fruits and vegetables without destroying vitamins and enzymes through heat. Sip green juices like The Beverly, packed with kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, lemon and ginger to flood sore muscles with hydration and antioxidants. Combinations like The Rodeo with beet, carrot, apple and ginger provide a nutrient-dense kick.
Hotel restaurants are also crafting menus to align with wellness-minded guests' clean eating habits. Harvest at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu highlights the flavors of the Hawaiian islands with farm-to-table dishes using local produce and sustainably caught seafood. Their nutrient-dense breakfast menu ensures you attack the day fueled up, whether with a dragonfruit acai bowl or veggie egg white frittata made from the resort’s own hens.
Travelers staying at the Equinox Hotel New York have access to a true culinary oasis in the form of Electric Lemon. This health food haven offers an array of cold-pressed juices along with grain bowls overflowing with colorful superfoods. The quinoa Tumbleweed Bowl packs in plenty of protein thanks to additions like organic tofu, kimchi, pickled carrots and sunflower seeds. The digestive-boosting Dragon bowl combines turmeric coconut yogurt, pitaya, pineapple, berries, bee pollen and housemade granola for the ultimate post-workout recovery meal.
Hotel eateries are also helping fitness-focused guests refuel smarter by providing nutritional info like calorie counts and macronutrient breakdowns. Ordering off these transparent menus allows precise tracking towards diet goals. For example, The Mayfair in Los Angeles offersærbalanced plates like their Poached Salmon & Ancient Grains dish which contains 520 calories, 37g protein, 36g carbs and 22g fat—all the macros you need after lifting.
Pump Up the Jam: Hotel Gyms are Going All Out with State-of-the-Art Equipment and Classes - High Tech Features Like Body Scanners and Fitness Trackers
Hotels are integrating high tech features like body scanners and wearable fitness trackers to help guests achieve health goals during their stay. These innovations provide metrics to monitor progress and receive customized guidance based on biometrics. Quantifying your efforts acts as a powerful motivator while enabling a more scientific approach to training.
One of the latest breakthrough technologies is 3D body scanners like those found at Canyon Ranch resorts. This NASA-inspired booth uses infrared sensors to take over 200 images of your body in seconds. On-screen results illustrate your body composition including muscle mass, fat percentage, and areas of concern. Repeat scans after a stay of healthy eating and exercise reveal measurable changes.
According to Healthline, body scans offer one of the most accurate methods for tracking fat loss and lean tissue growth. The detailed images provide visual proof that motivates you to continue positive lifestyle habits. Comparisons can even show posture improvements and problem spots needing focus.
Your body metrics then integrate with wearable fitness devices for continuous tracking. For instance, at the Four Seasons Westlake Village near Los Angeles, guests receive a wrist-worn Heart Rate Variability tracker. This monitors your heartbeat intervals to determine optimal training times when your nervous system is primed for peak performance. The trackers sync with the gym equipment to adjust speed, incline, and resistance according to your biometric feedback.
Wearable devices add a high tech element to workouts through constant biofeedback. The Equinox Hotel New York designed their own tracked called The Equinox Band that integrates with equipment. It allows you to control machines like treadmills or bikes via hand gestures for a futuristic fitness experience. Heart rate variability training zones displayed on the band push you reach your max by determining the ideal intensities based on real-time biometric data.
Fitness trackers provide insight on your performance 24/7. Hospitality industry experts note these wearable gadgets will soon become standard amenities at hotels seeking to attract health-conscious travelers. The stats motivate guests to squeeze in extra steps between meetings or scale back dessert.
Accessing your complete diet and exercise data allows luxury hotels to provide highly personalized guidance. For instance, travelers staying at select Sofitel properties don Hyatt's Exhale spa brand activity trackers. Their fitness concierge monitors the data live to check if they are on target towards custom goals defined prior to arrival. Guests receive helpful nudges via text if falling behind as well as exercise and meal recommendations calibrated to keep them on track.