TalkBoard Topics - Motion Passed: Create Travel Health & Fitness forum

Moved by bhatnasx and seconded by SkiAdcock:

that the TalkBoard recommends the creation of a Travel Health & Fitness forum.

This poll will close 19 Feb 2011 or after all eligible TalkBoard members have voted.

Id be interested if it (forum) could some how identify places "gyms/health clubs" to work out at in various cities; hotels that have free or low cost passes to full service gyms or to a lesser degree finding work out partners in various locations

I sit here practically unable to move after two straight hours of pick up hoops. I would love to play pick up games in school gyms on the road, its a great work out.

This would be great if there was a way for FT'ers to identify elementary and middle schools that have open gyms for pick up games. I know the ones where I live but never can find them on the road.

Another good thing (From my perspective) is maybe getting FT'ers on a team whether its hoops, softball etc in areas where there are lots of FT'ers. You never knowwhen you can pick up a ringer who happens to be passing through as well ;)

I'm sure there is more I could add if my body would stop aching and cramping up right now LOL

I give it a plus. It is so hard to eat healthy on the road.

I'd love to see a new forum created where I can go to search fitness centers in different cities and also a place where I can go to discuss exercise equipment that have become typical at the various hotel chains.

I rarely choose a hotel without having researched their fitness center options on and off property. Next to price and promotions, fitness options are my the next factor that determines my hotel choice.

It's 2011 - more and more folks are getting active especially on the road. Now is the time for a "Health and Fitness" forum. ^

I would recommend this one. I'm far from a fast jogger, but I like to search out 5K races while traveling for work. Advice on handling any travel details and finding any unique stores would be most helpful.

I brought up this topic 2-1/2 years ago and was extremely disappointed the forum didn't happen then. There are several things I can see happening with a forum like this--

* giving ideas for places to workout when traveling. perhaps not a specific pool in Albuquerque, but maybe pointing someone in the right direction of where they could find one (website). for running, this could include where tracks/trails are located, and it could even include gyms in a city that allow drop-in members (perhaps even a gym-buddy thread like in the US forum we have a rendezvous thread for Flyertalkers to meet up for club access). I've seen threads like this in Travel Buzz and Omni.

* what gym membership is best for me if I travel to XXX, YYY, and ZZZ. I've seen this question come up several times in the Omni forum over the past few years. since there are several large gym chains, Flyertalkers who are members can share their thoughts. I've seen threads like this in the Travel Buzz forum (and as a forum moderator I moved one here).

* events. there are many marathons, half marathons, and a variety of other running events, plus triathlons (various distances up to Ironman, including Kona), cycling events, swim meets, etc. this could include, "Has anyone done the Sacramento marathon...thoughts?" and even, "Who else is doing the Lehigh Valley 1/2 marathon." currently threads like this show up in Community Buzz.

* hotels with nice gyms and/or local gym access included. I'm on the fence if things like this should be included. we wouldn't want to take too much away from the hotel forums, but some of the current discussion on the hotel forums can get a bit intense for those who don't workout. I've seen threads on the Hilton forum, "Which HHonors in Phoenix with the best gym..." there are also some hotels that may give free passes to a local gym; as a local member of 24 Hour Fitness, I know that a Marriott Renaissance provides passes (have seen people with key cards and chatted with them). I know that a Homewood Suites in Albuquerque provides passes to a local Gold's gym.

* coping with fitness and travel, incorporating in real-life conflicts. I just posted a WSJ article on Omni this past week about this that has 3+ pages of responses.

* general fitness advice and/or logs... the Omni Exercise blog has this, and I've contributed to it, but haven't for a few months, just major updates. I've hooked up with past posters on dailymile.com, which seems like a great resource. we could certainly have a thread, "my handle on other fitness sites," so it would be easier to find other flyertalkers on those sites.


This topic has always been a huge passion of mine, and I'm very open to any questions anyone may have to finally bring this to fruition.

Thanks!


---aztimm

Some time ago TalkBoard identified a series of criteria for the creation of a new forum. In the past TB has declined forum in the basis that insufficent demand has been proven against the criteria published.

The same has happened this time with a rush to a poll before the demand has been demonstrated by the proposer/seconder of the motion.

On this basis I have abstained, for having done my own research, there appears very few threads that would naturally fit within the proposed forum.

Some time ago TalkBoard identified a series of criteria for the creation of a new forum. In the past TB has declined forum in the basis that insufficent demand has been proven against the criteria published.

The same has happened this time with a rush to a poll before the demand has been demonstrated by the proposer/seconder of the motion.

On this basis I have abstained, for having done my own research, there appears very few threads that would naturally fit within the proposed forum.

1) Maybe there are currently no threads because there is currently no place to post them. I'm sure there weren't a whole lot of threads about car rentals before the Car Rental forums were created.

2) Why would you not vote No, if you don't believe the forum should be created?

1) Maybe there are currently no threads because there is currently no place to post them. I'm sure there weren't a whole lot of threads about car rentals before the Car Rental forums were created.

2) Why would you not vote No, if you don't believe the forum should be created?

The decision to vote Abstain, is designed to indicate that were the need identified I would be happy to vote Yes next time around. I've only ever abstained before once, and this seemed a way of leaving the door open a little if the proponents follow the agreed procedures.

The decision to vote Abstain, is designed to indicate that were the need identified I would be happy to vote Yes next time around. I've only ever abstained before once, and this seemed a way of leaving the door open a little if the proponents follow the agreed procedures.

So if you're happy to vote Yes if a need was identified in the future, why aren't you happy to vote No now, when a need (in your opinion) has not been satisfied?

I would have to vote very strongly yes for this.

Why? Well for all of the reasons I posted and argued for the last time this was discussed. At which time it was indicated to me by the folks in charge of knowing such things that the timing was not right but the idea was a good one and the hope was that when the time was right it might eventually happen. I hope that time is now.

Ask yourself why we go to any forum? Surely for the information contained within that forum. With that in mind I believe that for the average FTer, and there are so many more now each day, the ease of finding a forum named appropriately that amalgamates all of the fitness related information for road warriors is extremely important for the community.

Can we go to a hotel forum and find info about that hotel’s gym? Sure, without a doubt. But if we do not know to look in that hotel’s forum we may never find the info. But what is that info really? Surely it is info which has been placed there for the good of the community.

I believe to best serve the community the information must be far more accessible, easily accessible by those 300,000+ that may want it readily.

I believe we can take a lesson from many of the most popular site out there and segment for segments. We must continue to strive to meet the needs of the users. Those users are Americans, Europeans, Asians, and all the rest of the many people on this rock. Most of all, the users are all of us travelling to the respective home lands of each of those categories. Putting the information in the hands of the users is what this place has been about for the past 15 years or so.

To borrow in style from the well intentioned Mr. Lennon, “Give Fitness a chance.”

Mike

I would have to vote very strongly yes for this.

Why? Well for all of the reasons I posted and argued for the last time this was discussed.

And perhaps it would be helpful to post the discussion from last time--

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkboard-topics/869238-motion-failed-voting-complete-travel-health-fitness-forum.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/talkboard-topics/861522-proposal-add-forum-fitness-go.html

Rather than re-hash everything all over again, perhaps we can glean something from what happened in the past.

I supported and still support the creation of a forum with a health theme.

I won't repeat all the good and more eloquent arguments to support such forum. All I want to weigh in is that under the current forum structure it's very hard to start a discussion about holding a healthy life style while on the road. I've seen some threads being sent to or popping up in OMNI that might have been good candidates for this proposed forum. As OMNI goes, anything can go OT within seconds. Not a good way to maintain a "healthy" discussion, imho. ;)

The decision to vote Abstain, is <snip>... a way of leaving the door open a little if the proponents follow the agreed procedures.

I didn't know the English word/vote "Abstain" in our TalkBoard Guidelines (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11201712-post3.html) can be used and interpreted as you did until now. :rolleyes:

Something that would be important for the forum is that city/region-specific posts need to stay in the new forum, and not moved to the city/region forum. (This is what currently happens in Dining Buzz.)

Example - If I am looking to maintain my ripped 8-pack while in Argentina (ha ha ha) and am looking for various gyms, perhaps hotels with trainers, etc., your average cow-do FTer who is going to consume 10kg of dead bovine on his 4 day visit to Buenos Aires is not my target audience. Nor would it be if, for instance, I was looking to find fruit juices not full of HFCS in Argentina. Or if I was looking for a reliable vitamin/supplement store.

I can tell you that after a couple million miles of travel, the days of needing to visit every lounge, and drinking as much as I can onboard, and eating every food offering, and trying to eat every crappy snack I can grab in a hotel lounge is (mostly) over. If I don't fit some healthy eats, some exercise, some reasonable attempt at sleep, etc., into a trip, I feel like crap. Having focused threads in a single forum would be a good thing.

I support the idea of this forum. I am a marathon runner and have posted in the Omni Exercise Blog. I think this is a great idea to find places to workout/run when traveling. I hate the treadmill and much prefer to run outside. I often find myself in places where I'm not sure where to run and I've found most hotel front desk agents and even concierges don't know where to direct people. Also it would be great to find others in the area either locals or fellow travelers to meet up with for a run, drinks (yes, runners drink), dinner, etc. Long gone are the days where I am motivated to get out for longer runs solo. I need the peer pressure of a partner waiting at the park/in the lobby to get me out of bed especially during the dark, cold days of winter. The wealth of knowledge I've found on FlyerTalk is amazing and it can certainly translate to this proposed forum. I think one of the challenges of this forum would be getting others even people that don't exercise/run to visit as they still know where locals run/workout.

I support the idea, too. I remember so many threads about people asking about good work out places when traveling. SO I think such a forum would be a great addition.

I support the idea too. I've got some tips from the Women Traveler's board but this isn't something that only women deal with while traveling.

I gained 35 pounds in the four years I've been on the road. Actually, it is probably closer to 70 pounds but there have been losses in there so the net is 35.

Half the time my challenge is not knowing what foods I can eat in a foreign country even if I do get to a grocery store. I had a bad experience in Sweden buying what I thought was fat free milk (it was fat free but not milk!!!)

And making good choices off menus is very difficult at times.

The flyertalk community is large enough (in numbers, not individual girth!) to contain a wide base of experience to help those of us struggling to be better informed.

But as others have pointed out, where to post questions about such matters is not obvious so often they get left unasked. Or posted on diet boards where the other members are completely oblivious to the challenges of finding healthy food while on the road. My favourite was getting blasted for not bringing my own lunch with me when I fly instead of eating the unhealthy fast food in airports. They really didn't understand the logistics of packing a lunch for 24 hours of travel over 2 or more continents when leaving from a hotel room. Let alone the limits imposed by governments such as the US or Australia on bringing in food.

that the TalkBoard recommends the creation of a Travel Health & Fitness forum.



You folks can create all the forums you want. No problem with that. I have to say that some of us aren't the least bit interested in this topic. ;) :p

dh

Something that would be important for the forum is that city/region-specific posts need to stay in the new forum, and not moved to the city/region forum. (This is what currently happens in Dining Buzz.)

Example - If I am looking to maintain my ripped 8-pack while in Argentina (ha ha ha) and am looking for various gyms, perhaps hotels with trainers, etc., your average cow-do FTer who is going to consume 10kg of dead bovine on his 4 day visit to Buenos Aires is not my target audience. Nor would it be if, for instance, I was looking to find fruit juices not full of HFCS in Argentina. Or if I was looking for a reliable vitamin/supplement store.

I can tell you that after a couple million miles of travel, the days of needing to visit every lounge, and drinking as much as I can onboard, and eating every food offering, and trying to eat every crappy snack I can grab in a hotel lounge is (mostly) over. If I don't fit some healthy eats, some exercise, some reasonable attempt at sleep, etc., into a trip, I feel like crap. Having focused threads in a single forum would be a good thing.
That's kind of dismissive of those who reside in the places for which there are destination forums, who are happy to help visitors to their homes find decent gyms.

It's a fairly frequent question asked on the UK forum, and is usually answered in detail, by the locals. You'll lose that important local knowledge from folks who use the gyms week in week out if you decide that all such questions can only be asked in this forum.

Does that mean that UK & Ireland folk only post in that forum? :confused:

Cheers.

I support the idea, too. I remember so many threads about people asking about good work out places when traveling. SO I think such a forum would be a great addition.

I agree with you. I can have a good supports for me and they will able to create a new forums. I voted to says Yes to me. I'm approved the message.

I support the idea of this forum. I am a marathon runner and have posted in the Omni Exercise Blog. I think this is a great idea to find places to workout/run when traveling. I hate the treadmill and much prefer to run outside. I often find myself in places where I'm not sure where to run and I've found most hotel front desk agents and even concierges don't know where to direct people. Also it would be great to find others in the area either locals or fellow travelers to meet up with for a run, drinks (yes, runners drink), dinner, etc. Long gone are the days where I am motivated to get out for longer runs solo. I need the peer pressure of a partner waiting at the park/in the lobby to get me out of bed especially during the dark, cold days of winter. The wealth of knowledge I've found on FlyerTalk is amazing and it can certainly translate to this proposed forum. I think one of the challenges of this forum would be getting others even people that don't exercise/run to visit as they still know where locals run/workout.

I agree 100%. Part of the reason why I am so insistent upon always staying at a hotel with a fitness center is due to the fact that I want to be absolutely certain that I will have a place to work out. I much prefer a nice running path, a jog along a river , etc. A fitness center is merely my Plan B if no such convenient option exists. A forum dedicated to such topics would attract the Flyertalkers who are like-minded, and would enable better sharing of information in a more contained environment.

I support this.

Heavy travel can wreak havoc on diet/fitness. Flyertalk can be part of the solution to staying fit/eating right on the road.
^^

I'm interested in such a board.

My goal for 2011 is to visit the states I haven't visited before and run a 1/2 marathon in them. For an ordinary person this may not be too big of a feat, but I have to juggle 80% business travel with my training schedule.

Sure there are posts about gyms at certain hotels, but I want a more comprehensive approach like comparing gym memberships. I currently have membership at a gym called Planet Fitness. For $20/mo I get unlimited use of their gyms throughout the country and they are in probably close to 40 states, but I'd like to know if there are gyms with better coverage/value.

I'd also like a place for people to post about running areas that are easy to find and safe. There are several running forums out there with such information, but I don't visit any of those, I visit Flyertalk.

I've seen threads in OMNI and Community Buzz about running meetups and such. I'll admit they haven't been well posted in, but OMNI Exercise Blog is a huge thread.

There are also aspects of travel workout gear and other special travel concerns.

You folks can create all the forums you want. No problem with that. I have to say that some of us aren't the least bit interested in this topic. ;) :p

dhI don't see that as a problem. There are somewhere between 40 and 50 airline forums. I doubt anyone is interested in more than ten of them at the very outside. What matters is not that I don't care about (for example) the Korean Airlines forum, but that enough people do to keep it alive. Even if 95 percent of registered FTers don't care about travel fitness, that's still 15,000 people who do.

I'd like to see this forum because it will make it easier to find threads that are now scattered over too many random places. Mods can't fix the situation, because, absent this forum, one random place is as good as any other.

This motion isn't about amending the U.S. Constitution, changing the orbit of Mars with a thermonuclear explosion, or cutting down the Peruvian rain forest. If we try this forum and it doesn't work, we can get rid of it with no long-term damage. This being the case, if it's a close call, why not give it a shot? What's the harm? Sometimes we just have to loosen up a bit and put things in perspective.

Does that mean that UK & Ireland folk only post in that forum? :confused:

Cheers.
No - but as with most other forums on FT, it's likely that this one will be US dominated as well.

Assuming that, what's the incentive for someone who could answer a question about London gyms quite easily in the UK & Ireland forum to hang out on another US dominated forum in the hopes that a question will come up they can assist with? How do you persuade the locals outside the US, who can currently provide the answer to questions like this, to actually give more of their time to add another forum onto their list?

My guess is, you won't. In moving questions about gyms in London from the UK & Ireland forum to this new forum, you'll get a downgrade in the information supplied to the questioner. Sure, it might be more convenient - but if I were seeking the information, I'd value quality over convenience.

I recently asked a similar question about gyms in Edinburgh in the UK & Ireland forum. Responses were pretty sparse - (apparently we aren't gym bunnies up here!), but there was enough there to give me some information. I'm betting such a question in the new forum would generate no answers at all.

Why is that better? How does making poorer quality answers more convenient help the members?

I'd support the forum as named: Travel Health & Fitness Forum, meaning discussion of which hotel chain caters to fitness concious travellers, which hotels offer jogging maps, etc. not which gym membership is a good value or which piece of equipment I should buy or what diet I'm currently trying as to me those sorts of generic topics are best debated elsewhere online.

Of course that's MHO and I have no doubt there will be some conversation creep once this forum is created as I'm sure it will be.

I have mixed feelings about this. I'd welcome a good place to talk about strategies for healthy eating on the road (something I certainly wrestle with). But I think that questions about, say, a good gym in a particular location do work better in the destination forums.

I also believe that locations specific questions need to be in the destination forums... otherwise, too much confusion. I think the way it works in the DiningBuzz forum is the model... it is not perfect... but I know if I want a specific dining recommendation in Seattle, I go to that forum... NOT DiningBuzz... I would think the same would apply to fitness locations.

I also believe that locations specific questions need to be in the destination forums... otherwise, too much confusion. I think the way it works in the DiningBuzz forum is the model... it is not perfect... but I know if I want a specific dining recommendation in Seattle, I go to that forum... NOT DiningBuzz... I would think the same would apply to fitness locations.

I agree with wharvey.^

I agree with wharvey.^

Yeah, me too. :)^^^^

Some time ago TalkBoard identified a series of criteria for the creation of a new forum. In the past TB has declined forum in the basis that insufficent demand has been proven against the criteria published.

The same has happened this time with a rush to a poll before the demand has been demonstrated by the proposer/seconder of the motion.

On this basis I have abstained, for having done my own research, there appears very few threads that would naturally fit within the proposed forum.

I have four problems with your decision.

1) You work for us, we don't work for you. You were elected to the TB to represent the views and desires of the posters to the board management. When someone has an idea I would expect my TB members to do their own due diligence on the notion. If the TB believes that it is the posters' job to put together a complete package of material for submission like some sort of college application then the TB is off its rocker.

2) With regard to this particular issue, the criteria you mention has been met before. TWICE.

3) Demanding a package of materials before a motion is made means that all of the research and thinking about a motion has to be made before the motion is made. That's not how parliamentary procedure works. The period between the motion and the vote is meant to be the time for consideration and discussion. And as we see with this effort, the motion and second ELICIT the type of response that you seek before the motions is made. It just wont work to expect thorough consideration until a motion is made. Because until a motion is made, posters feel like they are wasting their time talking about an issue. Once the motion is made posters take the matter seriously and post their opinions and arguments. I submit that this high bar for even considering a motion is what led to TB paralysis last year and would lead to paralysis again if other TB members adopt/re-adopt your reticence to consider making a motion.

4) Your use of the abstention is inappropriate to the situation. You didn't like the way the procedure went, you need to vote NO. Voting to abstain is just voting no without voting no. I won't say it's a coward's no, because I don't want to offend you. But it makes no sense. Vote yes or no!!!!

4) Your use of the abstention is inappropriate to the situation. You didn't like the way the procedure went, you need to vote NO. Voting to abstain is just voting no without voting no. I won't say it's a coward's no, because I don't want to offend you. But it makes no sense. Vote yes or no!!!!

Agree completely.

That's kind of dismissive of those who reside in the places for which there are destination forums, who are happy to help visitors to their homes find decent gyms.


It isn't intended to be dismissive. It is intended to be focused to the target audience, i.e., if they are posted in a TH&F forum, they shouldn't be moved. I really don't visit too many destination fora and I suppose I'm not alone in that.

What a great idea for a new forum! Think of the possibilities of various types of threads.

1. Learn about gyms of all prices in various cities/regions of the world.

2. Share info about male and/or female only gyms around the world which IS important to some people. We got into a lengthy discussion about that in the women's forum sometime ago on a thread that I think initially had nothing to do with single-sex gyms.

3. Learn about new workout routines or classes to vary from boring routines we set up that probably don't do as much for us anymore. Varying the workout can increase metabolism.

4. Talk about which hotel and/or airport has the best/worst workout facilities and share things that shouldn't be missed or at all costs should be avoided.

5. Share stories of building up one's workout after or during some form of rehab.

6. Share ideas of great, time-efficient workouts while traveling to best prepare ourselves for skiing, swimming, tennis, or whatever sport you like.

I'm just listing things off the top of my head.

I brought up this topic 2-1/2 years ago and was extremely disappointed the forum didn't happen then. There are several things I can see happening with a forum like this--

* giving ideas for places to workout when traveling. perhaps not a specific pool in Albuquerque, but maybe pointing someone in the right direction of where they could find one (website). for running, this could include where tracks/trails are located, and it could even include gyms in a city that allow drop-in members (perhaps even a gym-buddy thread like in the US forum we have a rendezvous thread for Flyertalkers to meet up for club access). I've seen threads like this in Travel Buzz and Omni.I agree with the idea of the creation of such a forum, specifically for this reason.

I bike. And I love riding when I travel. But it's hard. You have find a place from which to rent a bike (assuming you don't travel with your bike, which, I don't -- but traveling with a bike could be a whole 'nother topic in this forum). And you have to find good roads on which to ride. It'd be great to have a forum in which I could get some ground truth about roads from the perspective of a cyclist when I travel. I could find some of this information elsewhere, but there are lots of reasons I like getting my information on FT.

It isn't intended to be dismissive. It is intended to be focused to the target audience, i.e., if they are posted in a TH&F forum, they shouldn't be moved. I really don't visit too many destination fora and I suppose I'm not alone in that.Agreed. It's not dismissive. If anything, I think it's inclusive. FTers who cycle and who live in a location I might visit are likely to visit their destination forum and such a TH&F forum. But you're also likely to get people who have only visited those locales with the information you're after. For example, though I live in southern California, I can give information about rides in places such as Texas, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, in addition to southern California.

I support the creation of a such forum.

... Rather than re-hash everything all over again, perhaps we can glean something from what happened in the past.FTers above and elsewhere (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/15812449-post12.html) cited the same reasons I have, so I shant clutter the thread with their duplicate and instead refer to them, especially aztimm's posts.

... there appears very few threads that would naturally fit within the proposed forum.There's no current place to post the such which has caused FTers like myself to simply not post about exercise. I've no such proof judging from previous discussions so I hope more will post in this thread.

... It almost seems like the current demand is being met with the existing forums...Googling for "site:www.flyertalk.com exercise (http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GPCK_enUS399US399&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=site:www.flyertalk.com+exercise)" shows 100s-1000s of threads which would fit better in the proposed forum than in their existing forum. An idea is to mass-move such threads though that's a TB-related discussion to be continued in private.

On a personal note, exercise has both allowed me to travel better and to be a reason to travel and explore so the creation of this forum will add to the travel experience of FTers. The idea is timely not only because of general increasing awareness of health but also as we FTers age and can't afford to maintain the unhealthy habits travel naturally inspires.

Yeah, me too. :)^^^^

Wharvey's dead on. No need to create a separate forum.

I also believe that locations specific questions need to be in the destination forums... otherwise, too much confusion. I think the way it works in the DiningBuzz forum is the model... it is not perfect... but I know if I want a specific dining recommendation in Seattle, I go to that forum... NOT DiningBuzz... I would think the same would apply to fitness locations.

When it comes to dining, it's something that everyone does and some people are passionate about. Iow, everyone in Seattle or who has been to Seattle has an opinion about Seattle restaurants. That's not much motivation to take an ownership stake in a forum or thread.

When it comes to working out, people are fanatics, casual exercizers or don't know and don't care. Having a core constituency of fitness fanatics who travel is going to make the forum a success.

Let me be clear... I am for the creation of this forum.... I just believe that any "destination" based fitness questions belong in the Destination forums... similar to the DiningBuzz mode.

Wharvey's dead on. No need to create a separate forum.

Let me be clear... I am for the creation of this forum.... I just believe that any "destination" based fitness questions belong in the Destination forums... similar to the DiningBuzz mode.

Oh. Okay. My bad. Then you are dead wrong! :)

When it comes to working out, people are fanatics, casual exercizers or don't know and don't care. Having a core constituency of fitness fanatics who travel is going to make the forum a success.

Totally agree. And some of us just need that extra push to keep to our normal schedule/routine when traveling (I think it was dukeman who made a comment like that above). A forum like that here would make one less excuse.

Yes, I have looked at other forums, gotten information on running, swimming, gyms, etc while traveling. It can be quite cumbersome (has anyone looked through some of other forums?) It would be nice to ask the questions here, answered by people who understand, and not have a zillion questions about why I'd want to swim/run/gym while I'm on the road (and not spend all my free time enjoying the city--to me part of the enjoyment actually is working out and meeting locals who do too).

I also believe that locations specific questions need to be in the destination forums... otherwise, too much confusion. I think the way it works in the DiningBuzz forum is the model... it is not perfect... but I know if I want a specific dining recommendation in Seattle, I go to that forum... NOT DiningBuzz... I would think the same would apply to fitness locations.

This is a crucial question, made necessary by software that does not allow one thread to exist in two forums. If only...

I am impressed with the enthusiasm shown here. If I had to vote today, I'd vote yes. I'll wait to collect as much information as people can post here.

Assuming the new forum is approved, the moderators will face wharvey's issue. My favorite approach is cross-linking: posting a thread in one forum pointing to the thread in the other forum. In this case I recommend that the pointer reside in the location-specific forum and the main discussion remain in the global topic-specific forum.

We should probably discuss how best to allow users of both global and location-specific forums to find information that is both location-specific and topic-specific. Then the moderators will know what members think of the various options.

Well put and I heartily agree. :) Straight to the remaining core issue. We all want fitness information and this elegantly puts it where people now and going forward will likely look for it.


This is a crucial question, made necessary by software that does not allow one thread to exist in two forums. If only...

I am impressed with the enthusiasm shown here. If I had to vote today, I'd vote yes. I'll wait to collect as much information as people can post here.

Assuming the new forum is approved, the moderators will face wharvey's issue. My favorite approach is cross-linking: posting a thread in one forum pointing to the thread in the other forum. In this case I recommend that the pointer reside in the location-specific forum and the main discussion remain in the global topic-specific forum.

We should probably discuss how best to allow users of both global and location-specific forums to find information that is both location-specific and topic-specific. Then the moderators will know what members think of the various options.

Assuming the new forum is approved, the moderators will face wharvey's issue. My favorite approach is cross-linking: posting a thread in one forum pointing to the thread in the other forum. In this case I recommend that the pointer reside in the location-specific forum and the main discussion remain in the global topic-specific forum.

We should probably discuss how best to allow users of both global and location-specific forums to find information that is both location-specific and topic-specific. Then the moderators will know what members think of the various options.

Sorry but I've come to not make assumptions where TB voting on motions is involved. Why not wait until after the vote is in if the motion is passed to decide how to best orient the forum?

I try very hard to stay out of these discussions, they just seem to end up mud flinging and agendas, but when I was alerted to this vote I felt as a once very active poster and now a sporadic visitor I had to chime in here.

In the last 15 months I have lost 125 lbs and have changed my lifestyle completely. I work with a trainer 3 days a week, I do cardio 3 days a week, my eating requirements are pretty tight. I can manage all that great when I am home, but the wheels seem to fall off it when I travel. It is incredibly hard to be healthy on the road (especially in cities you dont know).

I can honestly say if I could use FT as a resource for helping me with this I could come back in a heart beat (and I dont think me coming back is a reason to do this, but I think if I find the need that great so will others).

I have read all the posts about putting it in the hotel forums or the dining forums and such, but the reality is I would like a place to post where I know those choosing to read have the same mindset I do. I want a health enthusiast to tell me how bad the hampton inn treadmills are, not a mileage junkie who is annoyed I dirtied their forum with a healthy question.

Beyond that here is what I see I could get from this forum:

1) information on local health clubs that allow guests
2) the ability to say "I am going to be in x city, anyone want to work out with me, or does anyone have a club membership and would guest me in"
3) The ability for anyone on FT who is a trainer to say "if you are in my city and need a workout I'm here and would help"
4) help finding specific foods (anyone know where in West Nyack NY you can get almond milk btw).
5) Tips and tricks for making staying healthy on the road easier
6) People in the same boat who "get it" able to support each other.

Being a road warrior is a very unique factor when trying to lose weight or maintain weight. My trainer doesnt really get it, my nutritionist doesnt really get it, because they dont travel. FT'ers who travel will get it.

I would challenge those of you saying no and its redundant to change your focus to see this forum more like the one for those with disabilities (ie a special population need) than a duplicate of location and hotel forums.

I would also ask those voting to make this one of those times where you go out on a limb and try a forum you might not personally care about, but that will serve a population of us who have no real other place on FT to find our information!

Thanks, lehava. Very compelling and persuasive argument.

Not to mention (my after thought) just think of the fun we could have in the forum with our own contest about who can lose the most weight, or group weight loss challenges (again as a way to motivate each other). Building a network of others to keep you moving is another challenge of doing this as a road warrior, the FT community would be a great place to do that for each other!

I try very hard to stay out of these discussions, they just seem to end up mud flinging and agendas, but when I was alerted to this vote I felt as a once very active poster and now a sporadic visitor I had to chime in here.

In the last 15 months I have lost 125 lbs and have changed my lifestyle completely. I work with a trainer 3 days a week, I do cardio 3 days a week, my eating requirements are pretty tight. I can manage all that great when I am home, but the wheels seem to fall off it when I travel. It is incredibly hard to be healthy on the road (especially in cities you dont know).

I can honestly say if I could use FT as a resource for helping me with this I could come back in a heart beat (and I dont think me coming back is a reason to do this, but I think if I find the need that great so will others).

I have read all the posts about putting it in the hotel forums or the dining forums and such, but the reality is I would like a place to post where I know those choosing to read have the same mindset I do. I want a health enthusiast to tell me how bad the hampton inn treadmills are, not a mileage junkie who is annoyed I dirtied their forum with a healthy question.

Beyond that here is what I see I could get from this forum:

1) information on local health clubs that allow guests
2) the ability to say "I am going to be in x city, anyone want to work out with me, or does anyone have a club membership and would guest me in"
3) The ability for anyone on FT who is a trainer to say "if you are in my city and need a workout I'm here and would help"
4) help finding specific foods (anyone know where in West Nyack NY you can get almond milk btw).
5) Tips and tricks for making staying healthy on the road easier
6) People in the same boat who "get it" able to support each other.

Being a road warrior is a very unique factor when trying to lose weight or maintain weight. My trainer doesnt really get it, my nutritionist doesnt really get it, because they dont travel. FT'ers who travel will get it.

I would challenge those of you saying no and its redundant to change your focus to see this forum more like the one for those with disabilities (ie a special population need) than a duplicate of location and hotel forums.

I would also ask those voting to make this one of those times where you go out on a limb and try a forum you might not personally care about, but that will serve a population of us who have no real other place on FT to find our information!

Very well put from a thread point of view.

Very inspiring from a personal point of view.

Thank you for this post Lehava

Mike

Very well put from a thread point of view.

Very inspiring from a personal point of view.

Thank you for this post Lehava

Mike

You are most welcome Mike!

I definitely support this idea.

Reminder - vote ends tomorrow on this, so if you have any pros/cons to the new forum, now's the time to post them.

Cheers.

Lehava... VERY compelling post and I agree with you for all the reasons you posted.

And a HUGE congratulations on your successes... may you be an inspiration to us all!!!

Reminder - vote ends tomorrow on this, so if you have any pros/cons to the new forum, now's the time to post them.

Cheers.

I vote yes to health !

I try very hard to stay out of these discussions, they just seem to end up mud flinging and agendas, but when I was alerted to this vote I felt as a once very active poster and now a sporadic visitor I had to chime in here.

In the last 15 months I have lost 125 lbs and have changed my lifestyle completely. I work with a trainer 3 days a week, I do cardio 3 days a week, my eating requirements are pretty tight. I can manage all that great when I am home, but the wheels seem to fall off it when I travel. It is incredibly hard to be healthy on the road (especially in cities you dont know).

I can honestly say if I could use FT as a resource for helping me with this I could come back in a heart beat (and I dont think me coming back is a reason to do this, but I think if I find the need that great so will others).

I have read all the posts about putting it in the hotel forums or the dining forums and such, but the reality is I would like a place to post where I know those choosing to read have the same mindset I do. I want a health enthusiast to tell me how bad the hampton inn treadmills are, not a mileage junkie who is annoyed I dirtied their forum with a healthy question.

Beyond that here is what I see I could get from this forum:

1) information on local health clubs that allow guests
2) the ability to say "I am going to be in x city, anyone want to work out with me, or does anyone have a club membership and would guest me in"
3) The ability for anyone on FT who is a trainer to say "if you are in my city and need a workout I'm here and would help"
4) help finding specific foods (anyone know where in West Nyack NY you can get almond milk btw).
5) Tips and tricks for making staying healthy on the road easier
6) People in the same boat who "get it" able to support each other.

Being a road warrior is a very unique factor when trying to lose weight or maintain weight. My trainer doesnt really get it, my nutritionist doesnt really get it, because they dont travel. FT'ers who travel will get it.

I would challenge those of you saying no and its redundant to change your focus to see this forum more like the one for those with disabilities (ie a special population need) than a duplicate of location and hotel forums.

I would also ask those voting to make this one of those times where you go out on a limb and try a forum you might not personally care about, but that will serve a population of us who have no real other place on FT to find our information! Congratulations on regaining your health while being on the road !

On 19 Feb 2011, the TalkBoard passed 7-1-1:

Moved by bhatnasx and seconded by SkiAdcock:

that the TalkBoard recommends the creation of a Travel Health & Fitness forum.

Voting yes: bhatnasx, jackal, lucky9876coins, nsx, SkiAdcock, Spiff, UA_Flyer

Voting no: Cholula

Abstaining: Markie

A forum in search of a first post:

Travel Health & Fitness (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-health-fitness-679/)

Excellent!

And Tokyo is now represented people...........

See you at the gym :)

Excellent!

And Tokyo is now represented people...........

See you at the gym :)

+1!!!!!

Voting no: Cholula

Actually, I'm thrilled this passed. And I didn't vote "No" until I saw 6 votes for "Yes" which guaranteed passage.

We ask for VERY high standards.....such things as "Unmet Need" and reams of supporting data....to establish new airline or hotel forums.

But this one sailed through without, IMO, the same vetting process.

My lonely "No" was just my lame protest to this seemingly double standard.

But the new forum is a reality so let's hope it's a very popular and successful.

Excellent!

And Tokyo is now represented people...........

See you at the gym :)

+2 Just got back. :)

Actually, I'm thrilled this passed. And I didn't vote "No" until I saw 6 votes for "Yes" which guaranteed passage.

We ask for VERY high standards.....such things as "Unmet Need" and reams of supporting data....to establish new airline or hotel forums.

But this one sailed through without, IMO, the same vetting process.

My lonely "No" was just my lame protest to this seemingly double standard.

But the new forum is a reality so let's hope it's a very popular and successful.

I appreciate your position and thank you for not abstaining. ^

As a part-time gym resident I can live with this forum though hope it centers on travel more than generic discussions about equipment, memberships, etc.

We ask for VERY high standards.....such things as "Unmet Need" and reams of supporting data....to establish new airline or hotel forums.

But this one sailed through without, IMO, the same vetting process.

In this particular case I didn't see any way that such data could be compiled. The posts simply had nowhere else to go, so they have not occurred. Therefore this was a question of judging members' passion for the topic. I hope our decision turns out to have been correct.

+2 Just got back. :)

Great! I'm glad hear it. Are you still exercise at the gym lately but, I didn't go for walks today. The weather does not good and it was raining lots this afternoon.

Can those of us, like myself, who studiously avoid physical fitness get a forum dedicated to places (Dunkin' Donuts and the smoking areas in ATL come to mind) which help keep us out of shape when traveling?

First and foremost, thank you for allowing this forum a chance. I was THRILLED when I saw it passed. I will keep my word and do what I can to be an active participant (I have already started a thread about meeting up to workout). I know for some voting it made no sense, but I am glad you gave us a shot anyway!

Lehava... VERY compelling post and I agree with you for all the reasons you posted.

And a HUGE congratulations on your successes... may you be an inspiration to us all!!!

Congratulations on regaining your health while being on the road !

Thanks Tech and Q. It has been a long long road, I am going to post a link to the blog I have kept of the journey over in the forum.


Actually, I'm thrilled this passed. And I didn't vote "No" until I saw 6 votes for "Yes" which guaranteed passage.

We ask for VERY high standards.....such things as "Unmet Need" and reams of supporting data....to establish new airline or hotel forums.

But this one sailed through without, IMO, the same vetting process.

My lonely "No" was just my lame protest to this seemingly double standard.

But the new forum is a reality so let's hope it's a very popular and successful.

Chalupa, thanks for your explanation. I was kind of shocked at your no but now it makes perfect sense!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been both sick & traveling so not posting as much as normal. At airport waiting to get home after having to reschedule flights by a day due to Midwest travel waiver. But - wanted to say I was always supportive of this forum and look forward to contributing to it (and learning from it) in the future. The future being after I get back home & get caught up this week on 'real world client stuff'.

Cheers.

I missed the deadline, sorry folks: but I would have voted yes in support of the new forum...YAY!

xoxo

:)

Patrick

I'm delighted to say that the Travel Health & Fitness Forum seems to be off to a good start with a # of threads, and I hope people will continue & enjoy posting there, whether they're fit or not or just want to be on the road or just want tips or health trips etc, etc. (you get the idea).

Cheers.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


love you all

Patrick

Well get over to that forum & start posting ;) :)

Cheers.

Just wanted to thank the TB one more time for having the wisdom and courage to recommend the creation of this forum.

It's off to a robust start with 41 threads and 5,808 posts and, best of all, the sort of community atmosphere that has made FT what it is.

It may not be all about miles and points...it may not even be all about travel...but it's a great community within the community.

Kudos, TB. ^

Just wanted to thank the TB one more time for having the wisdom and courage to recommend the creation of this forum.

Flattery will get you everywhere, koko. We are all approval sluts. :o

We aim to please. I guess that makes us, um... I'd better no say.

I'm glad we were able to give you a happy ending. :D

Well get over to that forum & start posting ;) :)

Cheers.

Right! We will do that for you. :)

I wanted to say thank you for creating this forum! It's helped me refocus on living a healthier lifestyle! :)