Westin Hotels & Resorts and Reebok have formed a multi-faceted partnership to develop the travel industry`s most extensive fitness and wellness initiative ever. Unveiling today, WestinWORKOUT(SM) Powered by Reebok features new custom designed fitness facilities, a Reebok-designed workout regimen for travelers, and an in-room yoga workout centered around Westin`s renowned Heavenly Bed(R). WestinWORKOUT Powered by Reebok will launch today in 25% of Westin`s hotels in North America including The Westin New York at Times Square, The Westin Philadelphia and The Westin Seattle, and will be in 77 Westin hotels by the end of 2004.

WestinWORKOUT Rooms: New Equipment, Sleek Design and Cardio Theater

Westin and its hotels are investing more than $10 million to redesign fitness facilities in all its hotels in North America. Custom designed for Westin, the new fitness rooms are inspired by upscale health clubs in major cities throughout the nation. Features of the WestinWORKOUT Powered by Reebok facilities include:

• State-of-the-art equipment from LifeFitness and Precor designed to provide optimum strength conditioning and ensure a thorough cardio workout. Each WestinWORKOUT will include treadmills, up right bikes, recumbent bikes, steppers, elliptical trainers as well as leg extension, leg curl, shoulder press, lat pulldown and chest machines plus free weights and more.


• New Cardio Theater - a rarity in hotel fitness rooms - will be a highlight of the facilities and will include individual viewing screens on cardio equipment.


• Reebok Core Training Zone, a unique center created to improve strength, flexibility, balance and aerobic conditioning and outfitted with special equipment by Reebok including Core Boards, medicine balls, stability balls and resistance bands.


• 20-40-60 minute workouts designed by fitness experts at Reebok University available exclusively to Westin guests.


• Upscale amenities and sleek, airy design will remind travelers of the best health clubs in their home towns with calming colors, modern furnishings, serene art, digital music, Bose(R) speakers, towels, bottled water and new magazines and newspapers.

Heavenly Bed Yoga

The experts at Reebok University, including acclaimed fitness expert Lisa Wheeler, have developed an in-room workout which incorporates Westin`s renowned Heavenly Bed(R). The Heavenly Bed Yoga workout is a yoga and Pilates inspired regimen that can be done literally in bed and is designed to de-kink the traveler`s body and relax the mind. The Heavenly Bed Workout will be available in all Westin guestrooms on the brand`s custom TV channel.

Survey Says Hotel Fitness Facilities Need to Shape Up

Why the focus on fitness? A survey* of 300 business travelers conducted by Lieberman Research Worldwide for Westin found that hotel fitness rooms often disappoint. Sixty-four percent of business travelers say that hotel fitness rooms seem like an afterthought, 75% say the quality of workout rooms is inconsistent from one hotel to the next and more than half the travelers (55%) decided not to use a hotel workout room because it was in such bad condition.

Hotel fitness rooms have traditionally been a low priority - converted meeting rooms crammed with out-of-date equipment - and far from inspiring, said Barry S. Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. , Westin`s parent. Working out is a way of life for many upscale travelers and we think there is an opportunity to further distinguish Westin from the pack by offering terrific workout facilities and fitness programs. In fact, 69% of business travelers said that a `state-of-the-art` fitness facility in a hotel would favor that hotel in their selection process, so we think this program will help us earn a greater share of customers.

This partnership combines the strengths of both companies and will enhance the experience for today`s busy traveler, said Kathy O`Connell Johnson, Reebok`s vice president of women`s performance marketing. At the Westin, Reebok will provide easy workout solutions with innovative fitness programming and equipment to meet travelers fitness needs both in the gym and in the room.