Pumping Iron at the West Bestern
Um, erm, I mean “Pumping Iron at the Best West”
The “Exercise Facility” at the Best Western where I’m staying consists of a) a exercise bike, b) a treadmill, c) a stairmaster(R), and d) a nautilus all-in-one-piece-of-scheize. I wasn’t really surprised, but I ws a bit jealous to learn from a co-worker that a neighboring hotel has free-weights.
So I walk in to do a little mid-week exercising while traveling. I hop on the bike to warm up. But the control board doesn’t work. No RPMs, no time elapsed, no MPH, nothing. And the right pedal has a really disconcerting thunk on the down stroke. Fine, I say, I’ll switch to the treadmill. As soon as I turn it on, the “lubricate belt soon” light comes on. It has a slightly annoying squeal as I get up to jogging speed, but, hey, I’m only on it for a few minutes, so I can put up with it. Unfortunately, the treadmill can’t handle my ironman 6mph for more than 2 minutes and spontaneously shuts off. Unceremoniously. Without. Warning. Fine, I’ll try the stairmaster. I’ve never used a stairmaster, despite the fad from the 80’s. I give it a valiant try, and started breathing hard enough to consider myself warmed-up.
On to the natuilus. Had it been in my home, and had I paid less than $300 for it used, I would have been reasonabley pleased with it. Actually, it would have been fine had there a) not been bent pieces making leg exercises dangerous, and b) not been a wall right next to the floor level pulley, making 1/3 of the movements exercises in wallpaper removal.
Ah well. Beggars can’t be choosers. My work schedule didn’t allow for me to go a local gym for a full workout. Instead, I got 45 minutes of pecs, lats, and biceps. Oh, and I got a few squats in next to the wall.
The oddest moment was when a dude (with a bushy Texas style mustache) wearing street clothes comes in from the pool area (right across the hall), inspects the bike, hops on for 15 seconds, then leaves with a “Have fun” comment. Um, yeah. Will do. Thanks.
Ah the joys of traveling. I can’t wait to be home. Only to leave again. At least my next trip will be with my wife and kids.