Sweating At The Ritz

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This week I am at a grueling conference in Florida. This is the view if I lean out my balcony:

Much better than my New York City view, eh?

Since I workout in my basement at home, a nice hotel gym is one of the few perks of business travel that I really enjoy.  The gym at this hotel officially opens at 6:00 am, and I was the second person to sign in at about 5:55. I grabbed a towel and a bottle of water from this lovely display. (I went back for an apple on my way out).

I started off with a 30 minute program on one of the fancy ellipticals .

Then I did my weights routine while enjoying this view. (Luckily they had regular dumbbells–I hate these big plate-style weights).

One issue with hitting a gym during a conference is encountering work colleagues while I’m all sweaty in my spandex. Today, one of my colleagues was in the gym at the same time, but he didn’t try to engage me in conversation except for a quick “hello.” Later, I met someone who recognized me from the gym, and that always makes me feel a bit uneasy. On the plus side, that means he knows I was up early and doing something healthy (and he was there too, so he can’t think I’m too nutty). On the minus side, I was sweaty and not in professional attire! While I don’t think it hurts for my “first impression” to be made in the gym, I think I’m uncomfortable because that’s not what I’m there for, and I don’t know at the time that the person next to me on the treadmill is someone I will be networking with later. Once we do make a connection, it might give us something to talk about, but I’d rather impress them with my legal skills than my fitness routine.

Do you hit the hotel gym on business trips?

How do you feel when you meet someone professionally who recognizes you from the gym?

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13 Responses to Sweating At The Ritz

  1. FindingMyHappyPace says:

    I've gone on two business trips for my current job, and yup, I spent the evenings in the hotel gym. It's fun being in an unfamiliar gym, I think. Guess I've never really run into anyone while sweaty, but I wouldn't care!

  2. tryn2bfit says:

    Good for you for getting workouts done even when away!

    I will be going through this in a few weeks and am not worried actually at all. I think the common workout interest makes for a great ice breaker plus I have come to realize people who are dedicated to their fitness are also dedicated at work and it only helps your credibility 😉

  3. SuperBabe76 says:

    Love the view from your room!

    I don't travel as much as you do, but when I do, I do hit the hotel gym. In one of my recent trips, I did run into one of the professors I work with at the gym. I was already there, as you, in spandex and sweaty, but then again, he also was in spandex, so we just smiled, said good morning, and acknowledged that we're healthy people and continued our workouts.

  4. I actually find that I can get some networking in pre- and post-workout, and that it's helpful. My colleagues and I discuss running or weightlifting during breaks, and it improves our working relationships.

    Of course, I always make sure I'm wearing my nicest and newest workout apparel during business trips to account for such chance meetings. Don't need this happening in a ratty 15-year-old tank.

  5. Gorgeous view! I'm actually at a conference this week & hitting the hotel gym in the evenings. It's been fun for me since I don't have regular access to gym equipment at home. At first I was worried about first impressions too, but after seeing a few colleagues in the elevator post-workout (they were un-sweaty), and receiving a few "Good for you!'s" I got over the worry.

  6. Tina @ Faith Fitness says:

    That would be interesting seeing coworkers all sweaty at the gym, but I think the positives far outweigh the negative of that. Goes to show you're committed to good things. I remember seeing students sometimes at my old gym. Now that was awkward. High school boys I teach seeing me in yoga pants and tank tops? Eep!

    That looks like a great hotel they are putting you up at!

  7. I used to be a sports umpire (netball, hockey and football, so running around was a necessity), and the amount of times that I'd umpire games featuring my colleagues (or even schoolteachers) was unreal. Luckily, they were as sweaty (if not more so) than I was, so it wasn't too bad.

  8. I would love it because the more of the co-workers that take care of themselves that helps me stay strong during those days of food being brought in.

  9. Mary says:

    I teach at a university and purposely use the gym on the other side of campus so I don't run into my students on the floor – or in the locker room!

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