Airports Are Healthier, Happier Places When They Have Gyms

You even fly, bro?

February 7, 2017 9:00 am

Anyone who flies a lot knows that air travel is rough on the body. In addition to a frankly disturbing list of consequences that begins with deep vein thrombosis and ends with radiation exposure, “fewer opportunities to exercise and … worse eating habits while in transit than at home” plague frequent flyers. Sometimes life as a jetsetter isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. 

We can’t fix the radiation problem — but someone is doing something about the fitness situation, which should be particualarly good news to anyone who’s clocked laps around an airport terminal trying to get in their steps for the day. Welcome Roam Fitness, the first airport gym in the U.S., newly opened at Baltimore Washington International. Even better: 20 more are on the way by 2020. 

This would be a good deal even if you didn’t want to work out. A day pass is $40, and includes luggage storage. Didn’t want to bring your gym clothes? They’ll rent some to you. Roam’s CEO says the service was originally aimed at passengers on layovers but that travelers looking at a long stretch before hotel check-in, or those headed to an early meeting, will use the gym to get in a workout before heading out. 

Roam cements a trend that’s been gaining speed for years. Frequent SFO fliers have made a hit out of the airport’s yoga room, while other airports have added walking tracks or cycling paths — though internationally, we’re still playing catch up. Passengers at Amsterdam’s Schipol airport can charge their gear by pedaling on stationery bikes, and Toronto’s Pearson has a full-on GoodLife gym open for a $15 day pass.

Perhaps it’s time to make American airport amenities great again — or maybe just as good as Canada’s? 

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