Fitness Meets Fun at Alexis Hotel in Seattle

Bouldering wall courtesy of Seattle Bouldering Project

While fun isn’t typically the first word associated with workout areas, Alexis Hotel in Seattle wanted to change that. They teamed up with local gym owner Jordan Holland of Seattle Movement Project to create the kind of space gym-junkies crave — while also appealing to the more casual user just trying to do penance for last night’s chocolate cake.

The result can best be described as an adult playground (no, not that kind of adult playground … shame on you). The Alexis has more than doubled its workout space, offering two separate areas to put in some sweat equity. On the fourth floor, there’s a cardio room filled with the machines you know and (kind of) love — treadmill, elliptical, bike — plus free weights, stability balls, bands, mats, ab mats, and foam rollers. A mural of Seattle’s skyline by a local artist offers some eye candy while you pedal your way to powerful and stretch your way to svelte.

One floor down is the main event: the Functional Fitness Room. Here, the monkey bars and jump ropes will take you right back to your elementary school days, in a good way (no one’s standing around hoping they’re not picked last for dodgeball). A bouldering wall with wooden holds from Seattle Bouldering Project lets climbers practice their traversing skills — if you’ve never been on a wall like this before, the goal is to climb horizontally instead of vertically, and no harnesses or ropes are needed.

Get a full body workout with our convenient kettlebells

Try out the rings, jump on the boxes, toss the medicine balls, and swing the kettlebells — all the equipment you need for a well-rounded (but never boring!) workout is waiting for you. If you’re not sure what to do, Surface tablets will soon be on the wall, loaded with demos (or use the tablets to get suggestions of exercises you can try based on what you like to do and how much time you have).

For even more direction, instructors teach yoga in the Functional Fitness Room on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 6:30am. Classes are complimentary for Alexis guests.

Images: Brady Campbell