January 5, 2005—A survey of 300 business travelers conducted by Lieberman Research Worldwide for Westin found that hotel fitness rooms often disappoint. Sixty-four percent of business travelers say that hotel fitness rooms “seem like an afterthought,” 75% say the quality of workout rooms is inconsistent from one hotel to the next and more than half the travelers (55%) decided not to use a hotel workout room because it was in such bad condition.
As a result, Westin Hotels & Resorts has spent $12 million to build new fitness centers. Thousands of brand new treadmills, cycles, elliptical trainers, medicine balls, yoga mats and core boards have been installed in 53 new WestinWORKOUT Powered by Reebok fitness facilities recently opened in Westin hotels in North America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Another 40 new fitness centers will debut in 2005, primarily in Europe and Asia-Pacific. The WestinWORKOUT Powered by Reebok custom-designed fitness facilities feature state-of-the art equipment from Life Fitness, Precor, as well as Cardio Theater, Reebok-designed fitness regimens for travelers, and in-room yoga workout.
Westin partnered with worldwide fitness leader Reebok to develop the travel industry’s most extensive fitness and wellness program. The new fitness rooms are inspired by upscale health clubs and feature treadmills, upright bikes, recumbent bikes, steppers and elliptical trainers.
