Ever sit in a convention center in a beckoning foreign city and wistfully picture yourself exploring your temporary environment? Sure, most business-class hotels offer sparkling gym equipment, spa treats and other in-house fitness options—for example for $15 per day, 90 different Hilton hotels will deliver a treadmill to your room for quick, convenient stress-breaker runs. But when you get the chance to ditch the treadmill and break out of your convention, try the following options. Let’s face it, getting some sun and fresh air is one of the best ways to energize a fitness routine.

1. The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado offers a range of outdoor activities including ballooning, jeep mountain tours, whitewater rafting and fly-fishing. But for business people who get an afternoon off while attending a meeting at the resort, its four-hour rock-climbing excursions at the Garden of the Gods are probably the best way to produce a sweat. No experience is required. The excursion, provided through the vendor gravityplay.net involves lessons in knot tying, equipment usage, safety, techniques and route selection. Reservations are required. Transportation, beverages, light snacks and box lunches can be arranged. The rates range from $175 for one climber, for a party of four; $85 per individual. To make a reservation, call The Broadmoor Concierge at 1-800-634-7711, ext. 5252.

2. Chances are any hosts on a Beijing business trip will inevitably escort you and your colleagues to attractions such as Jingshan Park and the Forbidden City. But when a free window of time opens, rent a bike from any vendor in Tiananmen Square, grab a tour map, join the masses of Beijing residents on wheels and see the sites on your own. Most bikes in China are one-speed and require lots of exertion. For more details, and to plan a specific itinerary, call the Adventure Cycling Association at 1-800-755-2453. This recreational cyclist organization works to develop a network of cycling routes for cyclists interested in adventure. Or if you’re staying at one of the top hotels, such as the Shangri-La, Crowne Plaza or Peninsula, ask the concierge to set you up with a tour service such as http://www.beijinghighlights.com (E-mail: service@beijinghighlights.com). 

3. Bikes might be the Beijing exercise standard, but in New York streetwalking takes precedence. Add direction to a speed walk or stroll, plus learn the history of the city’s hoods by joining up with Newyorkcity-tours.com. Themed walks include Old Time New York Gangsters, Marilyn Monroe’s NYC, Humphrey Bogart’s NYC and tours of Harlem and Brooklyn. The Harlem tour features facts on the Cotton Club age and The Lindy Hop’s roots. Guided tours range from $35 per hour for one or two people, to $100 per hour for five or six people. E-mail: catherinemp@earthlink.net or call 1-212-475-6914 to book tours.

4. If your business trip is so brief that an overnight stay isn't in the cards, try exercises described in the book Airplane Yoga. The guide offers about 35 in-flight techniques that target legs, lower back, neck, shoulders and the spine. The book was written by Rachel Lehmann-Haupt and Bess Abrahams and is listed at $13 on Amazon.com.

5. Triathletes in training, and even tortoise-pace swimmers, can dance and swim simultaneously in Taipei. The Grand Hyatt has Taipei's only temperature-controlled outdoor pool with an underwater stereo sound system, according to the hotel's Web site. For more details, visit taipei.grand.hyatt.com or call 1-886-2-2720-1234.

6. The Silver Cloud Inn on Seattle's Lake Union is next door to the reputed ZymoGenetics, Inc. and is linked to walking paths and has kayak rentals. Call 1-800-330-5812 for more information. If navigating new waters triggers fears, and if time allows, consider taking a $150 basic stroke fundamentals course on Lake Union. Call the Northwest Outdoor Center at 1-800-683-0637 or e-mail: mail@nwoc.com for more details. Kayak rentals are usually $50 and wetsuit rentals are an additional $15.

7. The River Walk of San Antonio, Texas is a legendary four-season runner's dream, and use of it is free. Hotels with stellar River Walk bearings include Adam's Mark, at 111 East Pecan St., 1-800-828-6547; the Four Points Sheraton, at 110 Lexington Ave., 1-800-828-6547; and the Havana Riverwalk Inn, at 1015 Navarro, 1-800-828-6547

8. Euro clubs are known for a lot of things, particularly the birthing of fashion trends and flashy lighting. They are also one of the classiest venues for sweating. When you need a late-night workout in Paris, try burning off steam at Bus Palladium at 6, rue Fontaine in Pigalle, which offers a range of musical styles. Admission is roughly 100f. Soul, funk and jazz genres are the club specialties. Another top club is La Cithéa at 114, rue Oberkampf. Dancing partners abound. Admission ranges from 30f to 60f. And for places to dance in London, e-mail the Paris Rock Club (U.K.) at: jdleclerc@aol.com or try their Web site at http://www.parisrockclub.com/.

9. For ambitious athletic travelers keen on planning a winter workout schedule while on the road, check out the Hilton New York's brand new 8,000-square-foot club. A view of the New York skyline, steam rooms, saunas and personal trainers are among the perks. It's on the fifth floor. For more details, call 1-212-261-5903.

10. Here's another fair weather idea: The four-story climbing wall in the flagship REI Denver store. It's within walking distance of most downtown Denver hotels. It’s $5 per climb or free for REI members. The address is 1416 Platte St. and the number is 1-303-756-3100.