Typically Admirals Clubs are nothing to get excited about, though for years one of the locations had a pretty cool amenity. Specifically, the American Admirals Club in the “A” concourse had a mini-gym. I wrote about this in a post last year about nine great airline lounge amenities. Ultimately it wasn’t the most exciting gym, though it had a treadmill, bike, and elliptical.
Being able to get in some cardio between flights is great, both to get some movement, and also to work off all those warm nuts and cookies. 😉
Well, unfortunately it looks like this feature has been discontinued. I’ve been told that the DFW Admirals Club gym has been closed as of April 10, 2017. I’m not sure what exactly caused this — the equipment was certainly on the old side so perhaps they just thought it was underutilized and wasn’t worth investing in.
Now the only gym I know of in an airline lounge is at the Etihad Airways First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi. That lounge only opened last year, and has a gorgeous gym that’s more extensive than the one in the Admirals Club was.
Meanwhile in the US we’re seeing a startup hoping to open gyms at many US airports, starting with Baltimore Airport (they’re eying a couple dozen airports for expansion… I’m skeptical). The company is called Roam Fitness, and they’re selling day passes, but also hoping to sell annual memberships. As much as I love the concept, I’m not sure it’s a sound business concept, unless they’re able to expand to dozens of airports (and even then it seems questionable).
So the Admirals Club DFW gym being closed isn’t the end of airport gyms, though I did always appreciate the opportunity to use it. Oh well…
To fellow American frequent flyers — did you ever use the DFW Admirals Club gym?
The best part were the showers! A must stop after a 10-h flight from Argentina visiting family.
I had visited the Gym at DFW several times! It was pretty small but it was great to run and training after a long flight! I will miss it!
I cant imagine working out at an airport and flying with those stinky gym clothes in my carry on for hours. no no no no no
Truthfully I had no idea they even had a gym. I think I prefer a cocktail to working out in beteeen flights.
One less airport gym for me to avoid, I guess...
What ! First they close the A terminal club smoking lounge and now the gym? How is a person suppose to smoke and workout :)
Sorry I couldn't help it. As a person who frequents the A terminal club at DFW more than I'd like I didn't really use this feature. I'm a runner but it's just so hard to shift gears for a quick run on a layover. If my layover was that long at DFW I'd go over the the Hyatt or off site anyway. At least they still have cookies for now.
Has American given a reason for the closure or any hope of reopening it? Seems like it was a well-received, appreciated amenity for sure.
Can't say I'll miss the lounge gym. I rarely even use hotel gyms.
I loved that little gym. Was a great way to get in a work out in the middle of a couple flights and use those incredible A showers. RIP, little gym.
gurl! proofread!
I'm being pedantic, but...
"That lounge only opened last year, and has a gorgeous lounge that’s more extensive than the one in the Admirals Club was."
I'm sure you weren't talking about the Residence lounge, and instead meant that it had a gorgeous gym.
FWIW, the club staff knew since at least last April that the room would be removed this year.
It was great to stretch your legs and get a quick run in during a cross-country trip. Really wish some of the larger clubs repurposed conference rooms. I was always the only person in there and a couple machines were more than enough.
I noticed that during peak times (6-8am) Etihad uses the two shower suites fornthe gym as the overflow for the spa showers. I had a layover snd used the gym and wanted to have a shower before my floght but it was being used by a Spa customer. I ended up going on the plane into a full economy vabin feeling sweaty and gross. #firstworldproblems
I just to schedule myself a long layover at DFW. on my weekly flights to Las Vegas for business. Workout, quick shower (in those glorious A showers) and back on the plane. Bummer.