Do you have great intentions to work out while at a hotel, but then never get to the fitness center? If so, you’re not alone. I’m right there with you! Why is this? I’ve heard several reasons from women travelers, and I have a few reasons of my own too. The top reasons are:

• Feeling unsafe when in a hotel’s workout center, especially when there are only one or two other people around (and guys at that!).
• Not being comfortable using the free weights or machines. Every elliptical, treadmill and weight machine is a bit different and knowing how to each machine can be daunting.
• Not feeling ‘fit’ enough – this seems to be a popular reason! This seems crazy since this is the primary reason TO use the fitness center. But women who feel overweight may feel uncomfortable amongst a room full of seemingly more fit folks.
• Lack of access to the machines you would like to use. Popular working out times (6am to 8am, 6pm t 8pm) can prevent you from getting a treadmill or other equipment.
• You didn’t pack work-out clothes. Nice excuse … “ohh, I forgot my work-out clothes” – Not!
• Not feeling ‘fit’ enough – this seems to be a popular reason! This seems crazy since this is the primary reason TO use the fitness center. But women who feel overweight may feel uncomfortable amongst a room full of seemingly more fit folks.

So what is the solution to feel safe, be comfortable and be able to work out no matter what)? In-room fitness options, of course!

More hotels are taking away our justifications on why we don’t work out. Many options exist to get a workout done right in the comfort and safety of your own hotel room.

According to American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2010 Lodging Survey of over 8,500 properties, 21% of luxury hotels have in-room exercise equipment, as do 17% of upscale hotels, 15% of midprice, 7% of economy and 4% of budget properties.

--Omni Hotels Resorts offer Get Fit Kits and Get Fit Rooms. At each of its properties, Omni guests can request a complimentary Get Fit Kit that contains two 2-pound dumb-bells, a floor mat, stretch cords, a mini AM/FM headset and a bottle of water. The Get Fit Room, which guests can request for a nominal fee, features a treadmill and a Get Fit Kit.

--Kimpton Hotels offer complimentary tote bags filled with mats, blocks, straps, and exercise bands to use for in-room yoga and Pilates practice. Kimpton was the first hotel company to offer a 24-hour yoga channel and use of yoga props to its guests back in 2003. Since then, they've expanded the On Demand fitness programming to include Pilates, core strength training, and most recently, a "Travel Healthy" in-room workout video featuring health and nutrition expert Joy Bauer.

Kimpton, with its 50 hotels attracting approximately 47% female travelers, knows that most women need more than a treadmill to stay grounded and motivated when on the road.

Hilton Garden Inn's Stay Fit Kit is available at no cost to every guest. The Stay Fit Kit includes:
Pilates Band
Yoga Mat, strap and bricks
8 lb. ab ball
3 lb. hand weights
Resistance rope
In addition, in-room fitness programming is available on guest room
televisions, which exercise programs providing a bit of encouragement and instruction to working out. The kit also comes with instruction cards detailing exercises for each piece of equipment to get you started. (I recently used the Stay Fit Kit at the Hilton Garden Inn in Aberdeen, Scotland and I really liked the variety – though I didn’t think to check the television for fitness programming.)

There are many other hotels that offer in-room fitness options. Ask the hotel you’re considering what they offer, or research on Google for hotels with in-room fitness.

Safe – and fit – travels!