Point of Departure

There’s this big trend about working out while on a business trip. I used to do it all the time and now I don’t (maybe it’s an age thing). I think men like to do it more than women and my theory is that they don’t get a chance to work out as often as women do. I have absolutely no proof of this, but I remember a colleague of mine who no sooner had checked into the Ritz Carlton at Key Biscayne, when he dashed off to the gym for a quick (hour long!) run. We had just gotten there, there was a gentle breeze, cocktails were starting on the terrace, I could smell the raw bar. But, still, he was hitting the mill.  I thought at the time, well, he has three little kids at home and maybe with all his travel and work, he isn’t afforded much “out of the house” time.

But why would gender be in effect? Surely women have plenty to juggle and how can they fit their workouts in when they travel, work, and probably carry a disproportionate amount of the housework? I don’t know, but I do know that in my industry – women work out. They may get up at 4:45 a.m. to do so, they may be on the stairmaster while watching Jon Stewart, but they work out. Still, I don’t see too many of my female colleagues packing workout wear and making it a point to sweat and grunt prior to or after their business meeting.

Part two of my “men like it more than women” theory is that I think men are more comfortable in an unknown weight room. Women like to know where things are – where they’re going to lunge, how the treadmill works, that sort of thing. The range of quality in hotel gyms is vast so sometimes it just isn’t worth it when you could opt for reading a book.

So, are you going to bring the Lululemon on the trip or not? These days, my answer is: “How long is the trip?” If the trip is an overnight, “Nope.” If it’s two nights, “Maybe.” And if three, “Yup.” The benefits of squeezing in a workout are obvious, but so are the benefits of sleeping in a little or, my guilty pleasure, watching the morning news in bed. How often do I get to lay in bed and watch the morning news at home? When I’m sick! When I have a fever of 102 and am throwing up, then I get to loll around.  So, if I’m just doing a little one-nighter and I have the option of having a half hour or so to enjoy the sole control of a TV remote and the careless banter of Robin Roberts, that’s what I’m picking.

Write and tell me – is Lulu going on your trip??