In the middle of the afternoon on Monday, I hopped on a conference call with Reebok to learn more about the agenda for the next few days in New York. It seems like many press trips come together in the days before the event takes place, so I typically feel like I am traveling blind going into many blogging events. It definitely keeps things interesting and sometimes leads to some pretty incredible surprises.
Like this one:
I am staying at the gorgeous and iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City! When our hotel was announced on the conference call on Monday, I geeked out and said, “The hotel from Home Alone!?” I was ecstatic and my excitement only grew as I learned more about the hotel and all that it had to offer.
Fairmont Fit Program
The Plaza is a Fairmont-managed Hotel and offers the Fairmont Fit program to guests who are Fairmont President’s Club members. (It is complimentary for Premier and Platinum members.)
Through the program, guests are provided Reebok workout apparel, footwear, sports bras and socks and may also request a pre-loaded MP3 player with workout music! All items are delivered directly to your room upon request and are laundered for you when you’re done with your workout. (If you choose to purchase the workout apparel to keep, you may do so at a 15 percent discount.)
Unbelievable, right!?
Since I am traveling with Reebok and the company is a partner with Fairmont Hotels, my fellow blogging buddies and I were given access to the Fairmont Fit program to try out during our stay.
As someone who likes to remain active when I travel, this whole concept blew my mind! It takes working out while traveling to another level since you don’t have to worry about packing workout gear in your suitcase. It makes exercising while on the road a breeze. I am planning to test out the gear during a run in Central Park later this afternoon with Gina and Heather, two of my blogging friends who are also on this trip!
I think I’ve sent Ryan 10,000 pictures of this hotel already. The Fairmont Fit program is just one of the many things that are blowing me away about The Plaza. It is stunning and I feel so lucky to have the chance to stay here.
Reebok FitHub 5th Avenue Store Tour
Before checking into our hotel, I met up with Gina and Heather at the Reebok Fit Hub on 5th Avenue for a store tour.
We were immediately greeted by the smiling faces of Michelle and Darren, two enthusiastic Reebok fitness ambassadors who gave us a tour of the store and answered any questions we threw their way.
The store featured lots of Reebok shoes and apparel from their CrossFit and yoga line. So many cute things! (This studio pullover was my favorite!)
My favorite part about the store was the gigantic activity calendar on the wall.
In addition to upcoming events at the store, the calendar listed a Fitness Challenge at the bottom for anyone to pop by and do at any time. The floor of the store is made with the same material featured in the CrossFit box next door, so people can test out shoes in the store and know how they’ll feel at the gym which I thought was neat! The store also has boxes for box jumps, kettlebells and other exercise equipment for customers to use to help them properly test out Reebok footwear and apparel before purchasing.
Before it was time to leave, Michelle let us briefly check out the CrossFit box next door. The energy in that place was absolutely electric!
Music was blaring and I immediately felt motivated to work out!
Exhale Spa Core Fusion Barre
Following our time at the 5th Avenue Fit Hub, Heather, Gina and I headed out to take a Core Fusion Barre class together at Exhale Spa.
(I could not get over the natural light and ceilings in the yoga studio. So beautiful!)
Reebok provided us with their new True Studio Slippers to wear during the barre class and I was grateful to have them!
In the past when I’ve taken barre classes, I’ve worn my own socks, so these slippers were a treat. The bottom of the slippers features tiny little grips to provide traction during the workout which I really appreciated. I always feel like I am sliding all over the place during barre classes, so these slippers made a big difference.
My feet didn’t overheat in the slippers thanks to the Concona woven coconut fiber lining that Michelle explained offers natural evaporative cooling (and odor resistance <—Yay!).
I’ve taken a handful of barre classes before, so I knew enough to know the expect to feel the burn and I definitely did! Our instructor, Kat, didn’t go easy on us and after tons of tiny pulsing movements, my legs were shaking. It was a great workout and made me wish, yet again, barre classes were offered in Ocala.
Time to run! We have another jam-packed day today!
Question of the Morning
- When you travel, do you work out or try your best to stay active?
- How important is a hotel gym to you when you travel? Does it make a difference if you’re traveling for work or for fun?
I like to stay active when I travel and feel like whenever I travel for vacation it seems to come naturally since Ryan and I love exploring new areas together. When I used to travel for my old job, I really valued hotels with gyms since I knew I’d be in meetings all day and would likely only work up a sweat if I could sneak in a workout before the work day began.
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What a fantastic opportunity to try out the Fairmont Fit Club!! I would love to be able to try new fitness clothes, shoes, and that ipod for a few workouts! Gotta love Reebok! (My favorite kind of running shoe!) I’d love to go to an Expo like that!
I definitely stay active when I travel (and I walk a ton around the cities), because I know inadvertently I will probably be eating more than usual… or at least differently than usual, so I can try out local foods 🙂
Depending on where I’m going for my vacation, having a gym is always great! If I’m going somewhere where it’s always warm and sunny, then I just end up working out outside by running and/or yoga, etc. But if it’s winter or the city has other kinds of climates, then I definitely utilize the hotel gyms! 🙂
Oh my gosh! You have some awesome experiences! How does one find events like this to participate in? Is it normally through invitation only? Keep having fun!
Oh my gosh how cool! That’s a great way to encourage working out while traveling for sure. Also-I love barre because of how shaky my legs feel during and after the workout! So good.
Ohh all of this sounds SO amazing!
Enjoy yourself and keep us updated! 🙂
Wow this sounds like an amazing trip. That hotel is beautiful!
I try to use working out as a way to explore a new area, but I ALWAYS check out the hotel gym. A sweat sesh is a sweat sesh! That being said, I definitely try to stay active when I am traveling. The only recent exception is a trip to Peru…I was active because of all the walking I did (and some horseback riding!) but I had such awful altitude sickness that I had to listen to my body and take whatever rest I could fit in between activities.
When I travel for work I always book at a hotel that has a gym that has complimentary access and I really try to stick to my usual workout routine. I always get in a good cardio session, but depending on the size of the gym I sometimes do body weight exercises in my room if there aren’t a lot of weights available.
A gym definitely makes a difference to me – I’m not always super comfortable with running in a new city by myself, so sometimes I relegate myself to the treadmill or just do weights. I think it’s so great of a hotel to promote healthy living while on vacation, since so many people tend to do the exact opposite!
I usually always try to work out and fit something in when I travel whether it is at the gym, outside or in the hotel room. It doesn’t have to be long but a little something always makes me feel better!
Definitely! Staying active while I travel is always a goal! Though, it doesn’t always happen 100% of the time 🙂 Your trip looks amazing!! Have fun!!
Wow! Looks like fitness paradise to me! How fun! I’m sure you three are such a fun group too – three of my favorite bloggers! 😉
If I’m on a longer trip, then I make it a priority to have a hotel gym. I really like the convenience of it. But if it it’s just for a few days, I don’t stress it. I use the time to relax and take some time off.
I want to go travel here now! I love staying active when I travel, otherwise it just feels weird if I don’t. Working out is just a habit now!
My dream trip to NY includes a stay at the Eloise themed room, at the Plaza. If you get a chance you should see if you can take a peak at it, Betsey Johnson designed it!
I like to workout when I travel so having a gym on site makes it a lot easier. I would love it if more hotels took up this idea of supplying gym apparel to borrow. Fitting all that extra gear in a carry-on can be difficult so to have it when I arrive would be amazing! Have fun in NY 🙂
Welcome to my city! The Fairmont Program sounds awesome. It’s fun to see one of my regular Central Park running routes printed on their card 🙂 I also love taking yoga classes in the spacious Exhale studio. Enjoy your time here!
Win one of TWO Fitbits this week on EvannClingan.com
My boyfriend and I are staying at the plaza this weekend — you just made me so excited! 😀
What an awesome program at the hotel! I always look for hotels with a gym or hiking/running path near by. When I travel, I like to stay active so I can enjoy all of the fun, special treats during my stay. My husband and I also are super active travelers. We are going to Hawaii next week and I can’t wait for hikes and water fun!
I’m totally sleeping over tonight.
Wow what a great experience! I like to try my best to workout when traveling, but sometimes I have to get creative.
What a fun experience! I always try to work out when I travel and my favorite way to do it is to run. have even gone for a run in South Africa on a safari trip. I traveled for work for 5 years and have most definitely chosen hotels based on their gyms.
Ahhh, so jealous you get to stay at the Plaza! I was in NYC a few months ago and loved running in Central Park, there’s always so much to look at.
I always check out the hotel gyms before I book a place, cause I try to get in at least a couple workouts when I travel.
I love barre classes and there are so many varieties – it’s always great to hear about new ones. Also, I don’t think I’d ever leave the bathroom in that hotel room. So gorgeous!!
Oh my! You are making me miss NY, bigtime! Whenever my parents used to come visit me, they stayed right near the Plaza. Not in it. That would have been cool though 🙂
The program looks really cool!
If you get a chance, you should eat at the “Cafeteria” in the Plaza. Trust me, it’s not really a cafeteria. Delicious – promise.
I love that they had shoes and workout clothes for you, plus a running map! That’s so amazing and well thought out. I always hate traveling with all my workout gear cause it takes up half the suitcase. Looks like you guys had a super fun time 🙂
I’d seek out a hotel with a gym or one with one very close by whether travelling for work or fun! With travelling and having to sit on plane, on train, bus or in a car I feel like I’d go crazy without getting in a workout once I reach my destination! I don’t travel that much anymore…but I’d love to be sent off to New York!!! The store looks incredible and the hotel…amazeballs!!!!!
Okay, the Reebok hotel program sounds awesome!! That’s so great for a travel workout!!!!
I recently stayed at a hotel that offered a similar (but not as comprehensive) program. I think it’s a great step in the right direction to encourage fitness while traveling and makes lives easier for people like me who need both casual and dressy work clothes as well. By the time I throw in sneakers, pants, tshirts, sports bras, my suitcase is full. I like to hit the gym a few times but my favorite way to stay active is to walk around a new city. It’s a work out but fun at the same time. I once walked 10+ miles in San Fran and 8+ miles in Chicago and was so sore the next day (shopping bags = weights) 🙂
Gorgeous hotel!!!! And what an awesome program. I’m jealous! 🙂
How amazing that you get to stay at the Plaza! That’s just crazy. 🙂 I love the idea of providing at least workout shoes for travel–they take up SO much space!
When I travel for fun, I usually jog or walk so I can explore while exercising. But my husband travels often for up to a month at a time, so a gym is crucial for him; otherwise he just won’t work out!
Beautiful hotel! I normally don’t take advantage of the gym while on vacation since I usually do tons of walking due to exploring. If I’m traveling for work, I try to get a quick workout in even if it means doing a circuit workout in the hotel room.
The hotel looks amazing! I loved barre when I took it once!!
WHAT a gorgeous hotel!! And what a cool idea with the fitness apparel being there for you. If you decide to purchase it, are you given new stuff? I assume the one people don’t purchase are used for the next guest, right?
That Fairmont Fit program is so so neat. wow! And that hotel is gorgeous! Bring on all the pictures 🙂
I’m usually bad about working out during vacation. I guess I like to sleep in and do whatever the group I went with is doing. Since I’m the only one in the family that works out, I usually don’t get a workout in even though I usually pack workout clothes. I need to get better at that.
I always pick my hotel based on the fitness facility they have and if they have a trail nearby. I have never heard of Fairmount Fit program and I travel every week as a consultant. This is seriously the coolest concept I’ve heard of!
That Fairmont Fit program sounds like such a cool concept! I love that they provided you with a map of running routes in Central Park as well — how awesome!
Your opportunity with Reebok sounds amazing – Talk about a dream job!
I try to work out when I travel, usually I end up with back to back plans instead. I need to learn to prioritize working out while away from home.
I have such a hard time exercising when I travel. I don’t travel often, but when I do travel to see my parents, I make sure I get a good walk in every day with my mom. I feel like I’m taking time away from them when I go work out.
I also have a hard time working out when I house sit, which is sometimes for long stretches of time. There are a couple of places where I house sit where working out is not at all conducive to the home. I could work out, but it would require moving 3/4 of the living room furniture 🙂 I try to do it anyway.
Workout gear in your hotel room! What an amazing idea. And staying at the Plaza…okay that’s just awesome. This girl is a little bit jealous over here! Have an amazing time, can’t wait to hear more of your experiences!
SO FUN! I just adore the Plaza, and NYC in general! I miss living there for sure! Have fun. 🙂
When I studied abroad I joined a gym, but on weekend trips I usually don’t. Exceptions usually happen when I visit friends and if the trip is longer than a week. Then there are usually short runs involved!
Wow! Awesome!! What a great experience!
Question— Are you wearing a white cami underneath your blue shirt? If so, what kind and where did you get it? I have been looking for a long enough cami to wear with leggings so it covers my tush 🙂 Thanks and have fun!
My Type A personality thrives on routine. I love to workout on vacation because it gives me some sense of routine like I was at home but allows me to be adventurous too by traveling…lol.
What a fun trip! I LOVE The Plaza! I stayed there with my family a few years ago and loved it. Enjoy your trip! I’m looking forward to hearing more about it! 🙂
What an incredible experience!! Very jealous. When I travel, I really try to stay as active as possible. In January this year I went to Germany for 5 days and only worked out twice because I was walking from breakfast to dinnertime. I was also on early trains to new places every morning, so I gave myself a break in favor of adventure! That’s the best way to do it 😀
Sounds like an amazing trip!
I definitely try to keep up with my workouts when away from home. Even if it’s just some yoga before breakfast, or a lot of walking, I can’t enjoy myself if I start feeling sluggish. I’ve got a lot of portable workouts I can use so access to a gym really isn’t important to me (I don’t have that at home, either, beyond my treadmill and some free weights, so I’m used to doing without!).
Is the blue pullover you’re wearing in the picture in front of the shoes above a workout shirt? What brand? It’s so cute 😉 Also, do you have a favorite source for longer workout shirts? I know you have mentioned your long torso before, and I have the same issue, so I’m always looking for long tanks and tees. Just wondering if you have found a particular brand/store that consistently has them.
OMG! I stayed at the Fairmont in San Francisco and it was THE BEST NIGHTS SLEEP EVER!!! I am so jealous of your stay there and adventure you are having these few days!
You’re so close to me! I work on 42nd street 🙂
The last business trip I went on was to Vegas and I was SO disappointed to find that the Paris Hotel’s gym was only open from 7am – 6pm. I had to be showered and ready for most days by 6:30 am. The trade show didn’t end until 5 and by the time I got back, it was time to get ready for client dinners! Plus, after walking for 8+ hours all day, starting my day with a run would’ve been much more enjoyable than ending it with one.
Very annoying. The whole work week I was there, I only got in one 4 miler, which screwed with my marathon training. I thought everything in Vegas was supposed to be 24 hours?!?
i’m not a fan of gyms in general, i like to run outside. that being said, the gym at the four seasons san francisco was great.
I went into The Plaza during my last trip to NYC. It’s stunning! Enjoy your stay there.
So jealous of your trip!
I don’t travel very much, but when I do, I always stay active. I don’t need a gym though, a run is a great way to see things!