Hyatt Opens 24/7 Gyms in America

. October 14, 2008

NEW YORK, NY, August 30, 2006. Hyatt has opened its StayFit@Hyatt 24/7 gyms. Guests at properties across North America and the Caribbean are now able to access the gyms, which feature state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment, 24 hours a day, seven days aweek.

To celebrate the launch, celebrity fitness expert Gunnar Peterson hosted Hyatt's "Escape the Rat Race" Stay Fit 24/7 Challenge and shared tips on how business travelers can maintain their workout regimes while on the road. The challenge kicked off with a tag-team fitness obstacle course at New York's South Street Seaport.

"My clients are always traveling and have demanding schedules, so my goal is to offer fitness strategies they can employ no matter where they are or when they find time to exercise," says Gunnar Peterson, whose clientele includes Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, Ben Affleck and Debra Messing. "It's common for my clients to be working out late at night or before sunrise when on set, which is similar to what other business travelers encounter when traveling across time zones or after a long day of meetings. That's why the convenience of 24/7 facilities like StayFit@Hyatt gyms are ideal."

Gunnar Peterson is the expert when it comes to knowing the workout challenge woes that his clientele face while they're on the road forbusiness and/or on the set.

In fact, nearly one-half of travelers polled by USA Today felt that they were in worse shape because they lack the time or the means to exercise properly during travel. However, it is possible to keep in shape while traveling with Gunnar's simple travel fitness tips:

  1. Schedule Your "Fitness Meeting": Maintain your wellness routines when on the road by planning ahead and scheduling workout times as you would a business meeting. If it's in your PDA calendar, you'll be more inclined to find the time for the gym. Be sure to plan ahead and askabout your hotel's fitness and dining offerings, and pack your exercise clothes.

  2. Find Your Rhythm: Got jet lag? Research has shown that exercise helps to reset circadian rhythms and is one behavior to help you internal clock get back in sync. And when done earlier in the day,exercise can even help you sleep better at night.

  3. The Time Zone Challenge: Business travelers' workouts often suffer from the impact of crossing different time zones as that can changetheir usual exercise schedules. If you're not used to exercising early in the morning or late in the evening, try to stick as close to your normal exercise schedule as you can, even if it means reducing the intensity of the workout because you have to be able to meet your work commitments. Also, the benefit of staying at a hotel with a 24-hour gym, like Hyatt's StayFit@Hyatt 24/7 gym, is that it allows you the flexibility of working out whenever you need to.

  4. Take 30: Make a deal with yourself to go to the gym for at least 30 minutes. Chances are, after 30 minutes, you'll feel better and stay longer... especially if you know you're exercising off that client dinner you just consumed.

  5. Keep It Safe: Another advantage of a 24-hour hotel gym is the safety and convenience when in an unfamiliar city. Runners can log thei rmiles indoors on the treadmill in a climate-controlled, secure environment, especially if you want to run in the dawn or dusk hours. If you are more familiar with the neighborhood, but may need a little assistance, StayFit@Hyatt gyms provide GPS-tracking that not only monitors your heart rate, but also helps guides you back to the hotel to avoid getting lost.

  6. Exercise Experimentation: If you don't have a gym membership athome, take advantage of your hotel gym facility and experiment with new routines that you would not get to do otherwise. You may even adopt a new love for fitness.

  7. If You Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em: Consider moving your business meeting into the gym! There's a growing trend of business meetings at the gym, so why not kill two birds with one stone? It's the healthier version of the business meal or cocktails. Hey, it's just an idea.

  8. Make sure you hydrate: You're losing water while you read this! To get the most out of your workout and the most out of your business, I want you to think about keeping your tank on full.

The "Escape the Rat Race" competition was modeled after obstacles business professionals can encounter while traveling. Each team went through a series of travel fitness scenarios as they raced against the clock to be crowned "the most fit business travelers." Scenarios included: sprinting through the airport when their departure gate has been changed, crunches to keep their waistline slim after an over-indulgent client dinner and climbing the stairs when the elevator is out and the meeting is on thetenth floor. The winning participants each received a $1,000 Hyatt giftcard, and all competitors received Samsonite black label Pro-DLX business essentials travel bags.

"At Hyatt, we understand the stress of business travel and the importance of up holding one's daily routine even when away from home," says Gordon Tareta, assistant vice president of spas for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts. "Now,with 24/7 StayFit@Hyatt gyms, no matter what time guests arrive at their hotel, they can still enjoy the great workout they have at home and have access to state-of-the-art Life Fitness equipment anytime, any day."

Hyatt has also been nominated at this year's World Travel Awards in the category of World's Leading Hotel Brand.

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