Hotel gyms!

Because in most chain/budget hotels the "gym" is an afterthought. Just so they can say on the websites that they do in fact have a gym.

You could always just run/bike laps around the hotel(assuming their access road goes the whole way around.) You might get some strange looks, but probably a bit better than the dreadmill.

My husband travels all the time and invests in chain gyms like 24 Hour and Ballys (which usually have reasonable membership rates) so that he can work out even if the hotel does not offer a gym or a decent one.

I am now travelling enough that my company agreed to pay for a 24 Hour Fitness membership for me. The places I travel to usually have a 24HF close by so I can avoid using those sucky gyms. The 24HF at the location I travel the most even has a 25 yd lap pool. If you travel a lot gym membersjips may be worth the money. Better yet if your company will pony up.

There are so many GREAT workout apps for smartphones that you hardly need a gym at all to get a good sweat on.

They're hot because they buy 500 of the same floor mounted fan coil units based on a typical bedroom layout and don't factor in the fact that people are going to be sweating in there, which is typically more activity than goes on in a room... depending on what kind of hotel you're staying at.

YMCA memberships are extremely helpful for finding pools to train in. In nearly every city I've been to, there's been a local YMCA (multiple usually) with good pools.

Hotel pools invariably are too small. Finding a 25yd lap pool is rare.

My only question is why are the hotel gyms so hot while the rooms are forming icicles? Personally, I prefer to go experience the area in the wee hours. No matter how seedy the neighborhood. You're always bound to see something of interest. Large rats, shirtless pimps, shuttle drivers passed out in the drivers' seat, drunk guys asking me for a cigarette as I'm drenched in sweat and wearing close to nothing, and many walks of shame.

I am typically on the road 6-8 nights a month and continue to run each day. For most of my runs I run outside but about twice a month due to poor location of the hotel (business park next to interstate with no safe place to run) or having to run at an odd time I hit the TM. I have found that if it is hot (the thermostat is usually set at 72 degrees) in the workout room that if you ask the manager to turn down the heat they will if you are in there by yourself. If not I soak down a towel and wipe myself down with cold water every few minutes.

Not sure where you travel, but I have yet to find a hotel gym where 110% of the equipment is not broken.

I really like to run when I travel (which isn't all that often). It's a great way to see a place up close and personal.

+1. My Y membership almost always comes in handy when I travel.

I'm interested to know what you guys do with your clothes. When I do have to travel for work it's at least 3 or 4 days, and I still haven't found a great option for post-run sweaty clothes.

Hotel gyms are usually 2nd thought. I rather pack my TRX, and go for a run around the hotel then to use the gym.

Hey Trimi140, my two tricks are 1) use the dry cleaning bag that all hotels have in the closet for wet clothes that I can't dry before packing and 2) if I can't bring enough fresh workout clothes for the entire trip I have travel tabs of detergent to wash clothes in the sink. I think I bought them at REI.

To the others, thanks for the input. I always run outside when it's possible, including using the state forums on this site to gather intel on good routes ahead of time. And I frequently visit the local gyms who usually offer day memberships for $20. But I still end up in the hotel for expediency pretty frequently. And most blow. Good tip on asking to have the temp lowered though.

I hang them up to dry after the workout, and tend not to workout the day I check out. They're dry by the next morning, and get tossed into a nylon cinch bag when I pack. Keeps the grime off anything else in my bag.

I hang them up to dry after the workout, and tend not to workout the day I check out. They're dry by the next morning, and get tossed into a nylon cinch bag when I pack. Keeps the grime off anything else in my bag.

I'm away for 1-3 nights every week so consider myself somewhat seasoned with travel and workouts. I pick my hotels based on gyms, go the the website for the hotel and look at the pictures. I use Strava when I get to the hotel to find local routes or ask the front desk if they seem somewhat with it. I do take a few plastic bags with me in case the hotel doesn't have the dry cleaner bag and I travel in the West where there are bans on the plastic bags....always good to have a backup. I wash my workout clothes in the shower with me and hang them to dry in the shower if staying more than one night. I 'm sure the housekeepers don't like it but it is what it is. If going onto another destination, I will lay them out in the trunk of the car to dry and then hang them in the new hotel room or use the towels to sandwich the clothes in and make a burrito and twist like crazy to dry them out. I do have a separate compartment in my suitcase that i can put the bag in that part to avoid spreading the funk smell to my other clothes.

There are some gyms that offer free local gym day passes and those are the best, only real way to get a bike workout in during the trip. Swims, I try and use local pools but it is very rare and rather jam the swims in when I am home.

As far as the temperature of the hotel gyms, I make a point to go up to the desk after my workout, dripping everywhere along the way and tell them they are going to have a medical issue on their hands by having the gym so hot for people. Has worked in the past as the next morning the gym is a lower temperature