Tuesday 18 August 2015

The Mighty USA

Ahoy!
Unfortunately on my recent trip to the USA I was mostly confined to Hotel gyms.
I tried to go to Gold's Gym in L.A but did not have my photo I.D on me when I arrived and was going to have to go back and get it then return which was going to take too long (something to keep in mind if you ever visit this gym!).
What I did see however was a large warehouse layout down a fairly modest street in Venice Beach and the entry for a one-off pass was $20 (even though I had seen a deal which I referenced on arrival for a free week's trial).
I felt the young man at the desk was taking advantage of the fact I was clearly a tourist and charging me regardless and I am still unsure as to how necessary the photo I.D was, or whether once again he just was not interested in having tourists in the gym.
A bit of an inconvenient experience and a disappointment considering my excitement at visiting the famous Arnie's training ground!
The other gym I tried to access was in Manhattan and was an 'Equinox' gym.
I was interested in visiting this gym having heard whispers of these very stylish establishments.
Sadly this gym did not allow day passes and to access the facility at all you had to be a member.
I can understand the reasoning for this in trying to maintain an exclusive establishment with an air of the truly VIP- it worked. I felt suitably intrigued and unreasonably drawn to becoming a member of such a glamorous club.
Alas, from what I saw of the reception all my dreams would have been realised had I made it inside!
A beautiful layout, spacious, clean, crisp white floors and wooden desks with well presented and ever-polite American staff.
The people entering an exiting the club appeared to be equally well presented and seemed to be embarking upon a mixture of individual training and group sport/classes.

The gyms I did make it into however included the below:

San Francisco's 'Good Hotel' had a gym facility across the road within their partner Hotel's grounds.
This was a standard hotel gym with two walls being glass providing a less claustrophobic feeling and a view to an outside courtyard on the second floor.
Equipped with a treadmill, cross trainer, bike, free weights and a couple of weights machines, this gym provided all I needed for maintaining holiday fitness before a half marathon race.
There was very efficient air conditioning within this gym which was essential for working out in the summer heat.
The equipment was basic but perfectly functional. There was a T.V monitor on the treadmill for example, not top of the line but still superior to a range of equipment found in low budget gyms.
On the floor above was a rooftop pool which was heated to a very pleasant 38 degrees I would say- a little too warm for during the hot summer days but lovely in the evening. Deep enough to immerse but not long enough for laps. Definitely more of a leisure pool.

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas had a beautiful gym facility to match it's beautiful setting.
This gym hosted two rows of treadmills about 5 abreast, a row of cross trainers and a row of bikes, along with an alcove for free weight use.
The air conditioning was exceptionally crisp and cool- a must when working up a sweat in the middle of the desert!
The equipment was top of the line, as is to be expected in the lush resorts of Vegas!
Sweat towels (and laundry bins) and bottled water were provided in a neat stack on the desk in the gym- a convenient and pleasant touch I thought.

The Warwick Allerton on the Magnificent Mile in the center of Chicago had a comfortable gym on it's 25th floor.
With two more basic tread mills, a couple of bikes and a cross trainer in the cardio area and free weights and benches in the weights area, this gym again proved sufficient for post-race holiday training.
I found the air conditioning cool enough, however the elevated location of the gym and the somewhat stuffy feeling up there seemed to affect oxygen supply and the level of perceived effort a little.
There were towels and cooled water provided along with a laundry basket for ease of use which was useful.
The view out over the city from the treadmill certainly assisted time in going a little faster!

My last port of call was Hawaii-the island of O'Ahu and staying in the Coconut Waikiki specifically.
This hotel had a small gym on the bottom level which was very well air conditioned and small but functional.
There were two basic treadmills, some free weights, three swiss balls and a bike.
Again, towels and chilled water were provided inside and this basic 24/7 gym proved just fine for my use.

Overall my experience of facilities in the USA proved entirely sufficient and the staff at every place I frequented were outstandingly helpful, friendly and hospitable which made for a truly enjoyable time away whilst keeping fit :)

Until the next adventure!

Wednesday 11 February 2015

Anytime Fitness Christchurch (Riccarton)

All Anytime Fitness Gyms seem to be pretty standard and this one was no exception.
Refer to my earlier post for Anytime Hamilton for all the details!!
Otherwise a great handy location in central Riccarton.