airport fitness

Airport fitness zones? Changi has a fun, new one

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All that sitting around in airports and on airplanes can’t be that good for you. Or your health.

That’s why some airports have marked heart-healthy walking paths, others have yoga rooms for stretching and a rare few have real gyms on site.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) has the FitPHX Trail stretching more than a mile from Gate A30 to Gate D18, offering a unique view of various Phoenix area sites, including mountains, parks and man-made wonders.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) debuted the first airport yoga room in 2012 and now has yoga rooms in Terminals 1, 2 and 3. A handful of other airports, including Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway Airports and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) offer them as well.

Roam Fitness has a workout facility at Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) and several at-the-airport hotels offer day passes to their fitness areas.

Changi Airport ups the ante

With its butterfly garden, sunflower garden, free movie theaters and other unusual amenities, Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) goes above and beyond other airports.

When it comes to fitness, they’re doing it again.

Changi Airport now has a 5-section Fit&Fun Zone in Terminal 2 that blends fitness and entertainment.

The Green Zone has pendulum chairs overlooking the tranquil Dreamscape zone filled with plants, nature sounds and a ‘digital sky’ which changes colors depending on the time of day.

For stress relief, the Orange Zone has soft punching bags and 3-D petal structures that can be hit without boxing gloves. The Pink Zone has pull-down levers connected to weights.  The Yellow Zone has five trampoline pods, equipped with sensors that play music when travelers step inside. And the Blue Zone has a fun rope maze.

Some options for workouts at airports

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MSP Walkway workstation - photo by Robert Little

MSP Walkway workstation – photo by Robert Little

 

*This story is by Robert Little, a high school student who has been working with StuckatTheAirport.com on a variety of project this summer. Thanks, Robert, for all your help!

Most travelers don’t associate airports with exercise, beyond the dreaded run to catch a flight, but some airports are putting these two together. Wishing to help maximize travelers’ precious time, some airports are providing experiences that allow passengers to exercise, while at the same time hopefully ensuring their continued business.

We found two great examples:

Partnering with Minneapolis International Airport since April 2015, Kari Severson, CEO of Minneapolis start-up Walkway, wants to kick the habit of sitting; seeing it almost as the next taboo.

Severson’s Walkways are treadmills that can be bought or leased through a partnership with the company.

Travelers passing through Terminal 1 of MSP airport are offered two free of charge.

Passengers can simply walk up to one for 30 minutes sessions before or between flights. The machines are programmed not to go above five miles an hour, which ensures the traveler will not break a sweat,  but will still receive a beneficial workout.

While the user is working out they’re shown a short commercial, after which they get free charging of their mobile device and Wi-Fi access.

Walkway hopes to expand to more airports in the future and has already partnered with the American Diabetes Association and other Fortune 500 companies in the Minneapolis area.

For the traveler looking for a more comprehensive workout, GoodLife Fitness has a club at Toronto Pearson Airport in Terminal 1. The advantage to having it on the pre-security side is that more airport visitors are able to access it, but it does limit the number of those are willing to clear security again.

All GoodLife members with “all clubs access” are able to access the club everyone else can use the club by purchasing a $15 day pass.

In addition to wide variety of cardo machines and free weights, the 10,000 sq. workout facility at Pearson Airport offers features that make it easy to work out, including luggage storage, showers and clothing and shoe rentals.

Toronto Pearson also boasts other health benefits for travelers, including two massage studios, (one in Terminal 1 and another in Terminal 3), as well as a walk-in clinic and pharmacy.

An even simpler option for the passenger just connecting to another gate are various walking paths in airports.

The American Heart Association has created a list of airports and the provided distances. Airports to look out for include Dallas/Fort Worth (1 ¾ mile), Indianapolis (~2 mile), Minneapolis (1.4 mile), Cleveland (1 ½ mile), and St. Louis (1 ½ mile).

 

Better Wi-Fi for DTW & a fitness center for YYZ

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Two good bits of news on the airport amenities front:

EXERCISE

In September, a GoodLife Fitness Club will open in Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) offering cardiovascular equipment, strength training equipment and free weights as well as luggage storage, a lounge area with massage chairs, towel service and changing rooms with showers and lockers. No word yet on what it will cost to use the club, but workout clothing will be available for purchase for those who get inspired by the layout.

And fans of fast, free Wi-Fi at airports will soon be much happier when spending time at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW).

Advanced Wireless Group is replacing Boingo at DTW and by September will install a much speedier Wi-Fi system that will be free to use if you’re willing to watch a 30-second advertisement once every 45 minutes.

The current system offers only 30 minutes of free Wi-Fi access to travelers willing to watch a 30-second video ad.