5 Top Out-of-the-Gym Fitness Workouts at Luxury Resorts

Sticking with a workout while on the road is admirable, but let’s face it – a routine is, well, routine, and a vacation should be anything but. A resort stay is a great opportunity to rethink one’s approach to fitness, taking it out of the gym and into the great outdoors. Multiple studies show that exercising outside offers a more holistic path to wellness; even a few minutes of physical activity in the open air is enough to boost one’s mood and reduce stress. Here are a few opportunities to do just that, in breathtaking destinations from mountain to desert to shore.

• Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga – in the Sonoran Desert: Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa makes use of its sparkling infinity pool to bring a traditionally coastal activity to the Arizona desert. The award-winning boutique resort’s Stand Up Paddle Board Yoga takes participants through a sequence of yoga postures while balanced on a secured, specially designed standup paddle board, developing core strength along with the mind body benefits of traditional yoga. Adding to the experience are the inspirational views from Sanctuary’s mountain perch.
• Beach Lovers to the Core on Martha’s Vineyard:  Days begin and end on a Martha’s Vineyard beach for participants in two Core Getaways hosted by Harbor View Hotel this summer. The three-day workshops are led by Heidi Winslow, founder of Core Retreats, and teach simple techniques to bring mindful fitness, nutrition and meditation into participants’ lives, while making the most of the island’s beautiful setting. A morning beach walk or run is followed by morning meditation, a mindfulness and meditation class, and Core Connect Method class. Guests can pursue the activity of their choice in the afternoon before coming together again for evening yoga or a resistance stretching class, a beach walk and sunset meditation. The package includes three nights’ accommodations at the historic hotel, three days of workshops, three breakfasts and lunches, and all taxes. Retreats will be held July 8-11 and August 26-29.

• Equestrian Experiences in Pebble Beach. Pebble Beach Resorts may be legendary for golf, but there’s so much more here for active guests who want to soak up the natural beauty of the Central California coast. The resort’s Equestrian Center offers group and semi-private riding lessons as well as trail rides along the ruggedly beautiful beach or through the pristine Del Monte Forest.  Not only does horseback riding work core muscles and improve posture, but spending time with animals boosts serotonin levels, adding to the already positive mental health benefits of exercising outdoors.

• Boating to Better Health in the Adirondacks. A trend-bucking resort-inclusive policy at Lake Placid, New York’s all-suite Whiteface Lodge means guests can take advantage of a wealth of outdoor activities in the Adirondacks for no additional cost. That includes complimentary use of more than 20 non-motorized boats and boards that guests can launch from Lake Placid’s beautiful Paradox Bay: canoes, one- and two-person kayaks, paddle boats, and standup paddle boards. Whether you work your upper body in a kayak or lower body in a paddle boat (which works similar muscles as bicycling), you’ll gain the proven cognitive benefits associated with being near or on the water.