Hilton and global fitness equipment maker Precor are launching dynamic Fitness by Precor facilities at full-service Hilton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites Hotels in North America, and at The Waldorf=Astoria in New York City. With the exclusive agreement, brand standards have been established for a premium-quality fitness experience, with the first co-branded facilities opening at The Beverly Hilton(R), the Doubletree Claremont Hotel in Claremont Calif., the Doubletree Club Las Vegas Airport, the Hilton Hawaiian Village(R) in Honolulu and the Embassy Suites Hotel in Alexandria, Va., while phase one of the project is complete at The Waldorf=Astoria(R) in New York City and the Hilton New York.

Full-service Hilton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites Hotels expect to complete installation of all-new Precor equipment by year-end 2007(a).

“We are very excited to launch this initiative with Precor. It represents an ideal union between two customer-focused companies that are dedicated to enhancing well-being, the overall travel experience and personal performance. This is a great way for us to ‘be hospitable’ to our guests—by enabling them to maintain their fitness regimen while on the road,” said Matthew J. Hart, president and chief operating officer, Hilton Hotels Corporation. “Utilizing the Precor fitness entertainment solutions and unparalleled fitness equipment, the hotel workout experience will be revolutionized, energizing guests for their business meetings or leisure pursuits during their stays. The fitness facilities will enable guests to utilize superior equipment when staying at our hotels and underscores our commitment to enhancing our guests’ personal performance.”

A recent survey of more than 500 business travelers reflects that fitness centers are among the top-five hotel features they deem most important(b). Research within the Hilton Family of Hotels shows that presence of a well-maintained hotel fitness center featuring high-end equipment can increase guest satisfaction by as much as 30 percent.

“Fitness by Precor facilities within our hotels will provide an excellent opportunity for our brands to extend their renowned hospitality to the workout environment and gain competitive advantage in their respective markets,” said Tom Keltner, president—brand performance and development group for Hilton Hotels Corporation.

The specially designed facilities will utilize Precor-developed strength, cardio and entertainment equipment. A complement of core training, balance equipment and stretch accessories rounds out the performance-enhancement offerings.

Precor also is the preferred supplier for the Hilton Family of Hotels, including Hampton(R), Hilton Garden Inn(R), Homewood Suites by Hilton(R), Hilton Grand Vacations(TM), newly built Waldorf=Astoria Hotels and future hotels joining The Waldorf=Astoria Collection(TM).

“Travelers have expectations of what constitutes a great fitness experience, and they bring those expectations wherever they go. In collaboration with the Hilton Family of Hotels, we’ve created an environment that’s perfectly aligned with those expectations,” said Paul Byrne, president of Precor. “From the quality of the equipment to the range of exercise choices, we’re offering a compelling, energetic environment so guests can have a superior travel experience and work towards their fitness objectives while they’re on the road.”

“The Hilton Family of Hotels has recognized a central customer need in terms of fitness, and taken a major step to elevate the hotel fitness experience to a level that’s comparable to that of a leading fitness club,” said Byrne. “The combination of premium-quality fitness and entertainment equipment and Hilton’s dedication to a compelling look, feel and environment establishes a new standard for hospitality fitness.”

Unique Entertainment Features

The co-branded fitness centers also will offer Precor Cardio Theater Exercise Entertainment(TM), providing entertainment technology either from wall-mounted plasma television or Personal Viewing Screens (LCD) on each cardiovascular machine. Lightweight headphones will feature superior sound, further contributing to an enhanced workout experience for guests. With these systems, guests can choose from a variety of music genres and network entertainment.

Superior Design

Standard across the Hilton Family full-service hotels, fitness equipment options will be catered to the specifications of each hotel. Larger hotels will complete their new fitness facilities in phases, with Precor equipment, specially designed flooring, signage and wall paint specifications representing the first phase for all hotels. They may undergo a second phase that includes an enlargement of the fitness center.

Commitment to Quality

Precor’s proprietary Insite technology, which offers utilization monitoring to assist in the quality control of co-branded facilities and track the equipment usage at its fitness facility locations, will enable the hotels to effectively deliver the most popular and well-maintained machines.

Fitness facilities feature innovative designs that flow within the existing hotel setting and color schemes. Depending on the size of the hotel facility, fitness centers will include a selection of the following:

Cardio Machines

Fitness by Precor facilities will feature a range of premium cardio equipment choices found in top health clubs and fitness facilities, which may include Precor C956i low-impact treadmills, EFX(R) 546i lower-body Elliptical Fitness Crosstrainers and C846i cycles.

Precor Strength Equipment

Guests can focus on a variety of fitness objectives through a range of Precor user-defined, functional and traditional strength equipment models, including the FTS Functional Training System as well as machines designed to address specific upper- and lower-body muscle groups. Additionally, guests who use free weights have the option of using Precor dumbbells, barbells and Olympic plates.

Core & Balance Equipment (Resistance Exercises)

In addition to Precor equipment, fitness centers will offer a range of core and balance training accessories, which may include Bosu balance trainers, medicine and stability balls, resistance bands and exercise tubing and weighted body bars. Club-quality stretch mats and benches round out the equipment options.
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