NATIONAL REPORT—It’s no secret health is top-of-mind for many people. It’s also no secret that these same people think about their health and wellness not only when they’re in the comfort of their own home, but also when they’re traveling and staying at hotels. Therefore, it certainly should be no surprise that hotels are increasingly focusing on their fitness offerings—whether through partnership programs, expert instructors, training sessions or simply a facility—to provide guests appropriate solutions in their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.
OK, so you offer a gym. That’s a welcome amenity for most guests. But does your gym offer what the guests want? That’s often another story. How can you make sure your property will meets the needs—and, these days, the expectations—of your hotel guests and, in turn, attain that all-important guest satisfaction? Sounds simple, yet how many times have you gone to the hotel gym just to be underwhelmed—and, yes, disappointed—by its offerings? Hotel Business turned to Glenn Colarossi, director of global hospitality for O’Fallon, MO-based TRUE Fitness Technologies, Inc., for some direction on creating a successful hotel gym. Colarossi broke it down for us, and focused on seven specific traits.
Provide quality equipment. Cardio equipment is a staple: Hotel gyms should provide guests with treadmills, ellipticals and bikes. Colarossi advised following the trends of commercial fitness facilities. “There are reports that show sales of commercial fitness products that provide insight into the popularity of a specific piece,” he said. “This will also help to better formulate the ratio of treadmills to ellipticals to bikes, etc.” In addition to cardio equipment, consider incorporating a strength-training area for a more complete gym.
Furthermore, provide ample area to stretch. “Standup stretch units are ideal so guests do not have to worry about the last time the mats were disinfected,” said Colarossi.
Position the equipment correctly. According to Colarossi, don’t place the backs of treadmills facing the door of an unattended facility. “Guests should be able to see someone entering the room,” he said. “This is very important for 24-hour-accessible facilities.” Furthermore, leave ample room behind fitness equipment; this is especially true for treadmills in order to ensure guest safety. And, said Colarossi, “Leave enough space between treadmills and other cardio equipment so guests feel comfortable without having their personal space invaded or having to suffer from potential odor from a neighboring guest.”
Recognize guests’ needs. Talk to your guests, listen to what they say, and act accordingly. By recognizing their needs, their overall satisfaction and chance of returning—or referring—will be much higher. This not only applies to the types of equipment and areas in the gym, but the accessory items and amenities. For instance, provide water—a basic—WiFi and outlets to charge mobile devices, which are also, for many people, basics these days. Look to invest in equipment that allows users to charge a phone while working out via a USB port. Want to up the game a bit? Colarossi suggests offering full-service items to loyalty program members, such as clothing to help with less baggage while traveling.
Offer a variety of equipment and activities. Not everyone exercises the same way. While some prefer to use fitness equipment, others may prefer to swim, for example, as their form of exercise. It’s important to offer up-to-date equipment and a balance and diversification of products. What about the guest that cares about fitness but is not motivated to head to the gym? Colarossi recommends hotels offer an in-room solution, even if it is as simple as “fitness in a bag.” There are also streaming workout videos available online or offered on a hotel TV channel.
Be fitness-minded property-wide. This especially holds true for smaller properties, as the gyms can be size-challenged, i.e. small. Colarossi suggests making the rest of the hotel fitness-friendly by upgrading the stairwells with better circulation and rubber steps, for instance, so guests can run or climb the stairs as an alternative to working out in the gym. Or, if there is outdoor space, add equipment, such as chin-up bars and other outdoor fitness equipment that you see in the parks or on fitness paths.
Consider location. Successful hotel gyms/fitness centers are easily accessible and conveniently located. The space has to be conducive for a workout—this includes high energy without being “loud.” And, natural lighting makes the space more inviting. Hotel gyms should have flexible space; it is no longer about how much equipment you can fit into a space, but about allowing guests to customize their experience. “For example,” said Colarossi, “guests may want to stretch or use a foam roller on a tight muscle from traveling and sitting all day. Or, they may be followers of one or more trendy workouts [P90x, Insanity, Beach Body, etc.] and need open space with dumbbells or yoga mats.”
Cleanliness is key. “Nothing turns off a guest quicker than a dirty gym,” noted Colarossi. “Getting on equipment or dirty mats that have dried sweat stains is a no-no.” Make wipes or disinfectant spray to clean equipment available to guests. He added, “Spend significant time training the housekeeping staff on how to clean a fitness center. They are great at cleaning rooms, but fitness facilities are unique.” Also, on a separate but related note, proper ventilation and air circulation can go a long way in creating a comfortable workout environment. HB