Water & gym questions - Fiesta Americana

[Cozoholic]

...On Expedia's website:

"Unlike most Cozumel hotels, the Fiesta Americana has its own water-purification plant." - Is this true? Can i brush my teeth w/ the water from the tap???

Also, if they have a gym, is it air conditioned? How is the gym? Instead of working out while there, I may rent a bike instead...Do they rent bikes ? If not, is there a place to rent a bike for the week?

 

[richhagelin]

Just got back from FA in May. We did the AI option and with that, you can get all the bottled water you need from the restanrants/bars. We got plenty to use for teeth brushing. Don't think I would use the tap water, but others may know.

The "gym" is rather pathetic. I wouldn't count on it if you want a workout. I didn't see any bikes, but didn't ask about them either.

Rich Hagelin

 

[Cozoholic]

Just got back from FA in May. We did the AI option and with that, you can get all the bottled water you need from the restanrants/bars. We got plenty to use for teeth brushing. Don't think I would use the tap water, but others may know.

The "gym" is rather pathetic. I wouldn't count on it if you want a workout. I didn't see any bikes, but didn't ask about them either.

Rich Hagelin

Is the gym air- conditioned? What's in it? Maybe just some early morning swims instead

 

[c-monkey]

We've stayed at FA a couple times and have always used the tap water to brush our teeth with no problems at all. I wouldnt recommend using it for drinking water though.
The "gym" is tiny. I think a stepper, a bike & 1 universal type machine were all I saw. Didnt use it so dont know if it's air conditioned. Dont see many people on bikes around there, just a few sweaty joggers.

 

[Christi]

Is the gym air- conditioned? What's in it? Maybe just some early morning swims instead

Be careful about combining heavy exercise with diving...it's a prescription for the bends.

Swimming and biking would be better than weight lifting or heavy cardio routines, but only if this is something your body is already used to. Heavy exertion before or after diving is not advisable. DAN recommends waiting 2 to 4 hours AFTER exercise before diving and more than that if you plan to exercise AFTER diving. Believe it or not, diving itself burns quite a few calories...particularly when it's not in your body's daily routine.

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=133

 

[Cozoholic]

Be careful about combining heavy exercise with diving...it's a prescription for the bends.

Swimming and biking would be better than weight lifting or heavy cardio routines, but only if this is something your body is already used to. Heavy exertion before or after diving is not advisable. DAN recommends waiting 2 to 4 hours AFTER exercise before diving and more than that if you plan to exercise AFTER diving. Believe it or not, diving itself burns quite a few calories...particularly when it's not in your body's daily routine.

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=133

Thanks Christi -

Im *addicted* to the elliptical machine at my local gym - 4 x's a week 45 mins each session..Off days, pilates..

I couldnt imagine diving in cozumel (drifting) burns that MANY calories?

Bends why? dehydration?

 

[scubawife]

A very good point, Christi. It's much better to put in a little more workout time at home in the few weeks leading up to the trip and give yourself a break while on vacation. A few weeks of extra core conditioning is especially good. Divers tend to forget that diving is exerting because in the water you just don't feel the weight of the gear you're hauling around. You've also got to be sweating inside the neoprene suit, but because you're wet you don't notice it. If you get chilled you're body will work even harder to try and keep you warm. Enjoy the dives and relax. An easy beachside bike ride sounds great. There's plenty of time to workout when you get home and don't have beach and ocean around.

 

[Cozoholic]

Im not necessarily looking for a hard work out....IM ON VACATION

Just looking for something one or two days so I dont get lazy....

 

[Christi]

Thanks Christi -

Im *addicted* to the elliptical machine at my local gym - 4 x's a week 45 mins each session..Off days, pilates..

I couldnt imagine diving in cozumel (drifting) burns that MANY calories?

Bends why? dehydration?

It's like shaking up the soda bottle...your body is full of tiny bubbles after a dive...the DAN link gives a pretty thorough explanation.

Trust me, there are no elliptical machines on the island...I love those things too...I would love to buy one, but I haven't even seen them on the mainland.

Diving burns more calories than you think, even if drifting. Of course amount of exertion during a dive factors in, but it has alot to do with maintaining body temperature and your body working to maintain your core temp the longer you are down.

The May issue of DIVE magazine had an article "Get Fit to Dive" that discussed this very issue.

Studies showed based on a 45 minute dive, that divers weighing 130 pounds burn approximately 544 calories, 155 pounds = 598 calories, 210 pounds = 706 calories

Keep in mind that the article mentioned nothing about the amount of exertion during a dive, water temp, etc...but this will still give you some kind of idea.

Also, WW gives alot of points for Scuba Diving

 

[scubawife]

There's always the cerveza (or daiquiri or pina colada or...) hammer curl poolside workout, with in-water leg raises for the very dedicated