This airport has a gym in the terminal — here's what it was like
Editor's Note
At TPG, we sometimes book unconventional flights for the sake of a story, like when I flew nearly 70 hours round-trip from Chicago to Singapore in the name of American Airlines' elite status.
Sometimes, we take the opposite approach, flying in and out on the same day, aiming to spend as little time in the airport as possible.
Last week, I took a 7 a.m. flight into Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) for a story you can read about soon on TPG. When my day wrapped up earlier than expected, around 2 p.m., I attempted to no avail to book a last-minute seat on the only two nonstop flights back to Chicago before my originally scheduled United flight at 5:45 p.m.
Both late-afternoon Southwest flights were sold out, so I found myself with three hours and no lounge access at BWI (there are a few lounges, but I didn't have the right credit card to get in). I was particularly annoyed about this window of wasted time since my 4:30 a.m. wake-up call did not allow me to do my usual morning workout.
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Just as I headed toward my gate in Terminal D to find a place to sit down and work, I was pleasantly surprised to walk right into a gym — Roam Fitness.
How does it work?
Next to Gate D1, Roam offers travelers in terminals D and E, like me, with sufficient time ahead of a flight, or those who just landed, to squeeze a workout into their travel day. Travelers can purchase a day pass for $25 or an annual pass for $360 ($30 per month).
In addition to Roam's 1,175 square-foot space, my day pass also included Lululemon leggings, a sports bra and shirt, plus Brooks running shoes. Men are offered Lulu shorts and a T-shirt, plus the same tennis shoes. Lululemon, Girlfriend Collective and Roam-branded athleisure are also available for purchase.
Roam also offers secure lockers to store your stuff and access to Wi-Fi and charging stations. First-time users also get a complimentary boxed Just water.
Guests have access to a cardio section with Technogym treadmills, Skillmill, elliptical bikes and one Concept II rower; a strength area with free weights, benches, assist dip and chin machine, vertical knee raise, TRX system, plyometrics boxes and medicine balls. There's also a stretching area with floor space for free work, with yoga props, stability balls and foam rollers.
If you are working out preflight, you can keep track of your flight thanks to Roam's flight information board with information regarding departing flights in terminals C and D.
A day pass also includes access to four full-service ADA-accessible showers with Malin+Goetz products, hair products, deodorant, dental products (toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash) and a shaving kit. If you want to shower at a specific time, be sure to book your shower when you check in, or you might have to wait if it gets busy. Showers are technically restricted to 15 minutes, but it wasn't an issue for me as I was the only one using them at the time.
Though the bathroom area is fully stocked, you can also buy a variety of other products, including travel-size deodorant and body lotion, face masks, eye patches, boxers, scrunchies, COVID-19 tests and more.
Do other airports have gyms?
Although Roam is the only traditional gym within a domestic airport concourse, you can find fitness spaces at other U.S. airports, including San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the first airport to introduce airport goers to a yoga room. SFO's yoga room is in the Terminal 2 connector between Terminal 1’s boarding area C and Terminal 2’s boarding area D, as well as Terminal 3 near boarding area E.
There are also a variety of gyms at on-site airport domestic and international hotels, including The Health Club at the Hilton at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) near Terminal 2 and the WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).
Internationally, you'll find similar options at Toronto's Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH).
Bottom line
As of June, Roam is only available for travelers at BWI Sunday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. As of July, Roam is available for travelers in Terminal F at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Priority Pass members get a 20% discount on day passes at both Roam facilities.
As someone who works out daily and travels frequently, an airport gym is an unexpected feature I will always take advantage of if possible. Especially on days when I take early flights or my travel plans go awry, getting my workout in before landing at home is a game changer.
Related reading:
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.