Staying fit while traveling is more difficult than one thinks. For business and leisure travelers alike, the excuse of being away from their regular routines can make it easier to stray from one’s usual fitness regimen.

One way to overcome the lax mindset is trying group exercise classes offered at your hotel.

Hotels are stepping up efforts to offer efficient exercise programs in addition to the usual gym facilities.

Utilizing a fitness program developed by Core Performance brand, Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel offers four kinds of group exercises twice a day ― in the morning and in the evening.

“Our workout program is aimed at strengthening the core part of your body. It focuses on building strength in the abdomen and the back,” said Bryan Lee, a Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel fitness manager.

Group exercise classes are available in a variety of workout styles. Power Up ABT is a mix of step aerobics that also improves muscular endurance in the abdomen, hips and legs. Body Pump offers both cardio and muscle workouts while TRX focuses on muscle strength and Relax Body focuses on flexibility.

The 30-minute classes ― shorter than the usual hour-long group exercises ― offer an efficient workout program that help you meet your fitness level or go beyond your limit, plus get some social interaction.

“On average, the class makeup is 70 percent hotel fitness members and 30 percent hotel guests. Usually guests just head to the swimming pools or use the sauna. But guests at our hotel choose to workout in the fitness center,” said Lee.

Each class can accommodate up to 12 people, according to Lee.

Guests can also tailor their workout to meet their needs at any hour of the day by requesting “the gym bag.”

“For those who are too busy to come down to the fitness center, we have our gym bag ready at the check-in desk. It has simple tools such as tubing band, gym stick and balance pad and simple instructions that help you stay fit and relieve stress from traveling,” said Lee.

The Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel fitness center is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and located on the 27th and 28th floors. Classes are available Monday through Friday at 10 to 10:30 a.m. and 8:30 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.sheraton.com/seouldcubecity.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)