FOR those who spend more time in the airport than in the boardroom, Essential Travel - the travel-related service provider owned by Thomas Cook – has rounded up its favourite top ten airports to workout in. And Manchester made the list...
Airport Health Club - Miami International Airport
It may be beautiful in Miami, but if you're stuck in the airport thanks to a flight delay, it can get pretty boring. Luckily, the airport is home to a fantastic mini gym with all the equipment you may need. Or if you're more inclined for relaxation, make your way to the top of the airport's Marriott Hotel to lounge beside the palm tree shaded pool, which is surrounded by a jogging track.
Airport Fitness And Wellness Club - Zurich International Airport
Zurich Airport now houses the Airport Fitness and Wellness Club, a 2,000-square-metre club is located on the basement floor with a sauna room in the shape of an aeroplane, cardio and strength equipment, a steam bath and massage facilities. And the fitness club even has traditional Chinese medicine available.
Airport Fitness And Wellness Club - Zurich Airport
Start! - Minneapolis Saint Paul International Airport
Minneapolis Airport has teamed up with the American Heart Association in its campaign to promote exercising, healthy eating and maintaining a healthy heart. The campaign, Start! Walking Program, has resulted in a 1.4-mile walking path being added to the terminal. As this is a looped path, visitors to the airport can join from any terminal and complete it by ending at the place where they started. And there's even an option to extend your walk.
G-Force Health Club - Dubai International Airport
The G-Force Health Club is situated in the Sheikh Rashid Terminal in the Dubai International Hotel. For about £8 an hour, you can make use of the treadmills, stationary bikes, the weight section and more. You can also buy a longer package if you'd like more time to make use of the steam rooms and saunas. Best of all, the health club is open 24 hours a day and there are also superb shower facilities for you to freshen up before your next flight - complete with towels, toiletries and hair-dryers.
Yoga Room - San Francisco International Airport
Designed by the same architects as San Francisco Airport's Terminal 2, comes the Yoga Room. The room has already become a popular spot for travellers to unwind. It has features such as a floating wall and is painted in tranquil blues to produce a feeling of serenity in the room. In early 2012, felt-rock creations were also added to the room to create the same atmosphere as a Zen Garden. To find the room, look for the signs of a person in a lotus position.
Yoga Room - San Francisco
Ambassador Transit Hotel Fitness Centre - Singapore Changi Airport
The Ambassador Transit Hotel Fitness Centre in the Ambassador Lounge located in Terminal 2 is open 24 hours a day, and offers more than your typical cardio and strength training equipment. For £12 a day, you not only have access to the gym, but also the pool and showers. You are even given some basic toiletries and can rent gym clothes if you need to.
The Absolute Spa - Vancouver International Airport
The airport's 24 hour gym is located inside the Fairmont Hotel. The Absolute Spa welcomes all travellers for a workout, even those who aren't guests. Probably one of its best features is a mechanised lap pool which allows you to adjust the current according to how challenging you want your swim to be. And there's even a special dryer for your swimming suits so that you don't have to go onto your flight with wet laundry. If you're looking for a more calming and serene workout, then try out one of the yoga or pilates classes which runs at about £10/a day.
Marriott Leisure Club - Manchester Airport
This club (main picture and below) features cardio machines, weights and even a complimentary fitness class. Personal trainers are also on standby to give you helpful tips and motivate you to get a great workout. The club has an indoor pool and a whirlpool, but no need to come too prepared as towels will be provided.
Marriott Leisure Club - Manchester Airport
Living Well Heathrow - London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4
This gym is complete with modern and stylish gym apparatus. Visitors can also make use of the calming, swimming pool before they go to ‘expel all their toxins’ in the sauna or steam room. The gym even offers the service of personal trainers to help you along and can provide swimming lessons. There are also beauty treatment facilities on offer to refresh you after the long flight.
Sheraton Fitness And Spa - Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Here you can work on your fitness levels and get your heart rate up with some cardio, sweat it out in the steam rooms and then take a wonderfully cleansing shower in one of the large rainforest showers. Once you've exercised and showered, you can treat yourself (and your muscles) to a massage. If your muscles really took a gruelling workout, the centre even has physiotherapists on hand to sort out any aches and pains. The Sheraton Fitness and Spa is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
