How To Keep Fit While Traveling Even On A Romantic Getaway

Today,Norm Goldman, editor of and is pleased toIt's NYC, so expect small yet cozy hotel rooms.
have as a guest, Jim Kaese, an elite amateurThe Scandinavian flavor, tremendous views, and
triathlete, entrepreneurial businessman, andextensive on-site health club make it one of the
endurance sport coach.best.
Author of The Athletic-Minded Traveler: Where toNorm:
Work Out and Stay When Fitness Is a Priority,Why should couples be concerned about fitness
Jim visited America's top 78 travel destinations toactivities when they are away on a romantic
find the very best hotel/fitness-venuegetaway or on their honeymoon?
combinations.Jim:
Welcome Jim to andExercising for only 20-30 minutes each day will
Norm:allow you to start the day healthy and help you
Could you tell us something about yourself Jimmake better choices throughout the rest of the
and what provoked you into writing about theday. Then, enjoying small indulgences like your
very best hotel and fitness venue combinations?favorite piece of pie or a few cocktails or sitting
Jim:around by the pool for six hours will not seem like
Through the years, I traveled quite a bit for worka big deal. Don't forget about that improved sex
and pleasure. In addition to finding places to staytoo!
that matched my budget and amenityNorm:
preferences, I always tried to identify hotels thatHow can we determine the quantity, quality, and
offered good fitness options. However, time andbrand of exercise equipment at recommended
time again, I would show up at the hotel andhotels if we never have been there?
discover that the "state of the art" fitness centerJim:
was a closet-sized room with old or brokenBuy The Athletic-Minded Traveler (laughs). In
equipment. Or, the "lap" pool was a short ovaladdition to providing a comprehensive written
without lane lines. Or, the "running routes"review covering everything you want to know
consisted of a map provided by the concierge(room appearance, room service, free breakfast
that directed guests to jog around the streets ofbuffets, sheet thread-count, etc.) about each
the hotel 10 times. It boggled my mind how theseproperty, we also specifically detail in chart form
hotels could make such blatant misrepresentations.the quantity of exercise machines, their condition,
So, I decided to write the first cross-countrythe brands, weight/strength options, pool
guide that objectively recommends the BESTdimensions, running routes, etc. But, if you're going
places to stay for those who enjoy healthy livingto a city that's not covered in the book, the best
and staying fit.you can do is call up the concierge and ask him
Norm:her your specific questions. Sometimes it even
Do you believe that if couples are looking for anhelps to confirm with the maintenance workers.
ideal romantic getaway they should also take intoNorm:
account the fitness facilities, and if so, why?Very often when we vacation we seem to return
Jim:home fully relaxed, however very much out of
I believe everyone should take into considerationshape. How do we avoid this?
the quality of the fitness facilities-including couplesJim:
on a romantic getaway. Exercise not only helpsMake exercise part of your daily routine, just like
boost your immunity system, lower stress, andshowering or brushing your teeth. When you think
improve your sleeping habits; it also helps yourabout it, 20 minutes is not that much time at all.
sex life. Studies have shown that healthy peopleEspecially while on a vacation, when you don't
have better sex and tend to be happier. And, Ihave to worry about going to work and all of the
believe it's important to emphasize that when Iother hassles at home.
say "exercise," I'm not talking about an hour ofNorm:
hard-core running or lifting weights at the gym-20There is always a temptation to overeat when
minutes of brisk walking can do the trick.we are on vacation. How can we fight off this
Norm:temptation while at the same time still enjoy
If you had to name 5 ideal romantic getawayourselves?
hospitality properties that combine a uniqueJim:
romantic ambience with great fitness facilities,Like I was saying before, exercise will allow you
which ones would you choose and why?to not fret so much over what you're eating and
Jim:drinking. You may end up taking in more calories,
· San Francisco is one of my favoritebut being active and exercising should help to burn
romantic cities---the bridge, the fog, the rain, thethose off fairly easily.
restaurants, and the cultural offerings create aNorm:
perfect stage for a wonderfully romantic trip. AnyAre there any food we should avoid when we
of the SFO hotels in my book would be greatare on vacation and if so, why?
fitness/romance combinations, but the Hotel RexJim:
is the best deal for the money. A small, intimateVacation is supposed to be a break from all that
hotel property just steps from Union Square andtroubles and worries you, right? When I go away,
China Town, Rex also provides guests with aI like to eat the local food and experience the
discounted pass to a fantastic (but small) healthlocal customs without concerns about how many
club down the street, Club One.calories are in my dinner, etc. Knowing that I
· If money is no object, The Miraval Spa andperformed my daily workout reassures me that
Resort in Tucson is a marvelous getaway foranything I take in will be worked off either that
couples looking to stay fit and be pampered. Allsame day or the next. So, no, don't worry about
meals are included as well as any type ofavoiding certain foods---just make sure to get in
exercise option you can imagine---horseback riding,a daily sweat.
lap swimming, rock climbing, etc.Norm:
· For those looking to add a little moreIs there anything else you would like to add?
"party" to their trip, Miami's South Beach hotelsJim:
are filled with romance. The Shore Club, Delano,Only that I've been really touched by the large
Ritz and National are all in the book, bestowing lotsnumber of people who have written us saying
of love and liveliness to their guests.that they are so happy we wrote this book
· Colorado Springs' Broadmoor Hotel is abecause they too were constantly frustrated by
breathtaking resort beset by serene lakes andthe travel industry's ignorance about fitness
mountain landscape. Broadmoor's Fitness Centerpreferences. Letters and emails have come from
and Spa is well-equipped with modern machineshard-core athletes as well as recreational
and a regulation lap pool. And, the nearby trailsexercisers who just like to put in 20 minutes on a
create fantastic jogging and mountain bikinggood elliptical machine or bike. Our goal all along
opportunities.was simply to provide a reliable resource that
· New York City can never be left off thewould help people enjoy a healthy lifestyle while
romance list. Several properties make exceptionalon the road. So far, it seems that we've
romantic destinations, but Le Parker Meridien,succeeded.
across the street from Central Park, tops my list.