No Gym Bag? No Problem
By Dani Medina
You’re finally on vacation. Your bags are unpacked. The view is incredible. And you’ve swapped your alarm clock for ocean waves and morning stillness. Or maybe it’s a desert breeze. Your inbox or fitness routine? Well, that’s a little harder to pack.
Even with the best intentions, wellness habits like your morning run or yoga session might get left behind once you finally arrive.
Luckily, when you stay at a Westin® Vacation Club resort, your routine doesn’t have to take a break. Not only do you have access to the WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio or RunWESTIN™ trails, but the WestinWORKOUT® Gear Lending program brings wellness to you.
NO PACKING REQUIRED
Imagine you’re hiking near The Westin Kierland Villas in Scottsdale or taking in the waterfalls at The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas on Maui. Or maybe you’re perfecting your putt on the championship course at The Westin Desert Willow Villas, Palm Desert. You’ll always have the appropriate gear — without packing a thing.
“Guests appreciate not having to pack their own yoga mats or blocks,” says Resort Activities Manager Gretchen S. “They already pay for ownership, so it’s nice to enhance their vacation with complimentary wellness options.”
That’s right. The Gear Lending program is complimentary for Owners. And you don’t have to leave your villa (unless of course you want to!).
Guests leaving their villa, however, puts a smile on JoAnna B.’s face as the activities operations supervisor at The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see Owners and guests take time for themselves, whether it’s stretching on the lānai with a yoga mat or unwinding with a massage tool after a day of exploring,” she says. “Wellness engagement adds a layer of intention to their stay, helping them feel more refreshed and connected to the experience.”
WHAT’S IN THE KITS?
The program was relaunched in recent years at all Westin Vacation Club locations with a focus on wellness to better suit Owners’ needs. It offers two signature kits: Sculpt & Flow by Bala, ideal for strength and flexibility, and Recover & Recharge by Hyperice, designed for recovery and relaxation.
Sculpt & Flow Kit by Bala
- Bala Balance Blocks: Designed to improve stability and used for yoga, stretching, and rehabilitation.
- Bala Balance Weights: Two-pound weights to wear on your wrists or ankles for athletic, recreational, or in-villa activities.
- Bala Resistance Bands: Helps intensify your yoga, Pilates, strength training, or rehabilitation work.
- Yoga Mat: Included for anti-slip purposes plus insulation between your body and ground to prevent loss of heat and energy.
Recover & Recharge by Hyperice
- Hypersphere Mini: Uses vibration technology to target tight areas and relieve muscle tension.
- Hypervolt Go-2: Lightweight massage gun to offer relief from stress, tension, knots, and fatigue.
- Normatec Go: Give your calf muscles an air compression massage to increase circulation and reduce pain and tension.
“The [Sculpt & Flow Kit by Bala] often receives positive remarks for helping Owners and guests maintain their routines, while the [Recover & Recharge by Hyperice Kit] is praised for offering much-needed relaxation after travel or outdoor activities,” JoAnna explains.
Get your gear at the resort front desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Most resorts offer a 48-hour lending window, but if you have questions or special requests, they can help.
And while you can’t take the kit home, you can still take the experience with you. If you’re interested in the gear, ask the front desk for a promo code to shop for Bala and Hyperice online.
WELLNESS FOR EVERYONE
These tools give Owners and guests the opportunity to encourage new wellness habits and make recovery accessible and available to everyone at Westin Vacation Club — without needing to leave your villa.
“(Westin) sees wellness not as a luxury, but as a standard,” Gretchen says. “Everyone should have access to wellness tools without worrying about cost.”
Relieving muscle tension and soreness after a five-hour drive or flight? That’s how many Owners and guests love to start their vacations.
“Recovery is huge for fitness enthusiasts, and even for [vacationers] who’ve just traveled long distances,” Gretchen adds.
Westin Vacation Club resort websites also have resources for Owners to make the best use of the equipment including a library of instructional videos for guidance. It’s meant to be a more approachable way to work out in your villa.
JoAnna says those who’ve used it have responded positively to the simple and visual instructions. “Clear, friendly guidance makes it easy for Owners and guests to dive in, even if they’re new to wellness practices.”
She said she hopes more guests will soon take advantage of the program.
More videos are in the process of being added — with the goal of implementing an in-villa TV channel featuring classes. More personalized wellness experiences based on each destination are on the horizon.
From Mexico and St. John to California and Colorado, ask the front desk how you can get your hands — and shoulders, and back, and calves — on a Gear Lending Kit. Your body will thank you.