From punch lines to fashion faux pas, bridesmaids’ dresses occupy a unique place in pop culture. Just about every wedding has them. Depending on the temperament and taste of the bride, the dress could actually be attractive and worn again outside of a Halloween costume…or, more likely, could descend into a puddle of unhappy fabric dyed strange pastel colors that certainly never occur in nature.
Personally, I’ve strolled down the aisle in a size 20 forest green number that transformed me into a human Christmas tree, and a Laura Ashley special that looked like a bouquet of blue and yellow roses threw-up all over the skirt. Yeah, good times.
Last week, when I was vacationing in San Francisco with my super cool boyfriend, I realized that today’s hotel gyms have become the equivalent of the taffeta bridesmaid dress. Most three star and above hotels these days – and a few intrepid two star brands – feel compelled to have them. Sometimes they are well-stocked, giving you just what you need. In fact, I’d like to give shout outs to the Millennium and Westin hotel groups, who always seem to have plenty of cardio and strength training options in their mini-fitness centers. But all too often, hotel gyms are less than stellar. Like the well-known historic hotel in San Antonio I frequented last year, who tried to offset three sad pieces of cardio equipment with a big screen television on the wall. Or the hotel we visited last week. They had a comfy sleep number bed, great hot showers, and a small fitness room that felt on the verge of retirement. The control buttons on the elliptical machine were completely rubbed off and the lone treadmill made a sad wheezing sound when activated.
However, I like to exercise while traveling. So armed with my trust iPod and bionic heart rate monitor, I logged in some sweat time a couple of mornings. Sure enough, it made me feel great while taking the edge off of the large dinners we enjoyed. With hotel gyms, sometimes you’re going to get the stylish little black dress that flatters all of the bridemaids, while other times it will be the lime green outfit with the big bow on the back. Either way, it’s up to you to make the best of it.
Last week, when I was vacationing in San Francisco with my super cool boyfriend, I realized that today’s hotel gyms have become the equivalent of the taffeta bridesmaid dress. Most three star and above hotels these days – and a few intrepid two star brands – feel compelled to have them. Sometimes they are well-stocked, giving you just what you need. In fact, I’d like to give shout outs to the Millennium and Westin hotel groups, who always seem to have plenty of cardio and strength training options in their mini-fitness centers. But all too often, hotel gyms are less than stellar. Like the well-known historic hotel in San Antonio I frequented last year, who tried to offset three sad pieces of cardio equipment with a big screen television on the wall. Or the hotel we visited last week. They had a comfy sleep number bed, great hot showers, and a small fitness room that felt on the verge of retirement. The control buttons on the elliptical machine were completely rubbed off and the lone treadmill made a sad wheezing sound when activated.
However, I like to exercise while traveling. So armed with my trust iPod and bionic heart rate monitor, I logged in some sweat time a couple of mornings. Sure enough, it made me feel great while taking the edge off of the large dinners we enjoyed. With hotel gyms, sometimes you’re going to get the stylish little black dress that flatters all of the bridemaids, while other times it will be the lime green outfit with the big bow on the back. Either way, it’s up to you to make the best of it.
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