One Dozen Physical Fitness Activities in the Conejo Valley That Cost Nothing

Conejo Valley Guide contains thousands of things to do in the Conejo Valley, Greater Ventura County and surrounding areas of all types...carnivals, festivals, fairs, fundraisers and all sorts of places and things to see, do and try. Let's zero in on things to do that will help make you and keep you fit right here in the Conejo Valley and nearby areas....with the emphasis on ZERO...as in cost.

The Conejo Recreation & Park District maintains the Rabbit Flats Disc Golf Course at Thousand Oaks Community Park. This 9 acre, 18 basket course will keep you moving. The only cost to you is your frisbee!

The Conejo Group Sierra Club and other local hiking groups often host hikes in the area. The Conejo Open Space Foundation tracks them here.

There are several dozen free tennis courts open to the public available throughout the Conejo Valley.

The 33 acre Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is a peaceful, beautiful respite from the daily grind...and makes for a nice hike with panaromic views of the Conejo Valley as your reward.

Local Conejo Valley hiking surrounds us. Check out Oakbrook Regional Park and dozens of other local Conejo Valley trails at Wildwood Park, Los

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New Balance Athletic Gear Offered at Ten Westin Hotels Around the World

I found this interesting. New Balance and Westin have teamed up to offer guests at designated Westin hotels the opportunity to borrow shoes and workout clothing.

This "Gear Lending" program started up last month at the following Westin Hotels:

• The Westin Beijing Chaoyang
• The Westin Boston Waterfront
• The Westin Michigan Avenue
• The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City
• The Westin Tokyo
• The Westin San Francisco Airport
• The Westin Jersey City
• The Westin Maui
• The Westin Valencia
• The Westin Grand, Berlin

You can call me old fashioned, but I prefer to bring my own running gear with me when I travel, but it does take extra luggage space and I usually check my baggage in as a result. (As some of you know, I'm an avid runner.)

According to the Westin Gear Lending website, they currently offer up New Balance 759 shoes, running shorts and a "technical" (e.g. non-cotton) t-shirt for men. Women are offered up shoes, shorts, fitness capri and a sports bra. The shoes come with socks and disposable insoles. Now while I cringe at wearing the same running shorts someone else has sweated in, I'm certain they wash the heck out of them, removing all remnants of the prior exerciser.

The program is FREE. You just call up and order your shoes. Then you work out, work up a sweat, and leave the smelly, sweaty items in your room for pickup. OK, that IS certainly a nice benefit...not having to pack your dirty workout gear for the flight home!

According to a New Balance press release, this is an initial pilot program that they and Westin plan to launch to other hotels brand-wide sometime this year.