For some, shopping getaways in Manhattan are the way to go. Others seek quiet beaches with white sand or Caribbean cruises, bed and breakfasts in Maine or whale watching off the coast of Alaska.
For many travelers, the hotel gym will do, but for those who seek a complete physical detox during their hard-earned vacations, these five fitness destinations will truly get the blood pumping.
1 of 5
Travaasa Experiential Resorts
2 of 5
Red Mountain Resort
3 of 5
Heartland Spa and Fitness Resort
4 of 5
New Life Hiking Spa
5 of 5
Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel
Travaasa Experiential Resorts, Austin, Texas
From $163
Only in Texas will your leg day feature a mechanical bull workout.
In fact, the mechanical bull also puts tremendous demand on your core, while allowing you to practice flexibility and proper bull-riding form (which is probably useful at some time or another).
Beyond this weird Austin novelty, Travaasa brings a philosophy of simplification to its guests’ workouts, removing the equipment from the equation and developing programs to challenge the mind and body.
Staple classes such as yoga – including vinyasa, hatha, aquatic and bar yoga – and dance are featured, but what’s really special is the outdoor circuit training that brings your workout into the Texas Hill Country. You’ll learn to mix up your moves and change the intensity, creating a compelling adventure that holds your interest and gives you a new arsenal of routines to practice back home.
When your muscles have had enough, take a well-deserved break in the spa, where treatments include a hydrating cocoon body treatment, facials, mani-pedis and various types of massages topped off with an herbal tea or Texas ale.
Red Mountain Resort, St. George, Utah
From $270
Further west, and flanked by two national parks and a state park, Red Mountain truly places you in the heart of Utah’s red rock country.
Amenities include a fully stocked spa and salon and a variety of fitness classes. But the indoor selection pales in comparison to the adventures to be had in some of the best hiking country in the world.
There’s a wilderness outside the gym door fit for exploring, and the selection of hikes is tremendous and comprehensive.
In addition to programs designed for participants of a wide range of skill levels, Red Mountain covers just about any experience you could want. Miss your dog? Meet and mingle with some new furry friends at the nearby animal shelter, then take them on a 1.5-mile hike along the base of Red Mountain.
If you think hiking is monotonous or you’re bored by the selection, you can customize your own adventure, adding biking, climbing and kayaking components to match your skill level and interests. Just choose a location and go.
Heartland Spa and Fitness Resort, Lake Geneva, Wis.
From $299
Seven hours away from Columbus by car, or three hours by air, Heartland Spa faces a lakeside vista one hour’s drive from Milwaukee. It’s the closest destination on the list, but it’s far enough to put a little distance between you and your desk. Sometimes, that’s the best medicine.
At the same time, it offers the homey, Midwestern charm that separates it from your average resort.
While at first, it might seem like a weakness to put a resort right in the path of all four Wisconsin seasons, Heartland’s secret weapon is its variety of seasonal experiences.
Guests can paddleboard on the lake and bike along the shore in the summertime, while the winter offers activities such as cross-country skiing that are harder to find at the usual beachfront travel spots.
Rain or shine, the hotel boasts group exercise and yoga classes, a heated indoor pool, a Himalayan salt sauna, a whirlpool and fitness equipment.
New Life Hiking Spa, Killington, Vt.
From $219
“Nobody does hiking better than us,” brags New Life’s website.
But, really, who’s going to argue with the rich panoramas afforded by Vermont’s Green Mountains? When the hiking is this good, it’s best to just trust the website.
New Life offers hikes for all skill levels. Short nature walks offer breathtaking scenery at a leisurely pace, while the upper-level course reaches elevations of more than 4,000 feet. Up there, the tundra takes over, no matter what season it is.
Fitness programs include stretch class, Chi Kung, water aerobics, yoga and kayaking.
Of course, you’ll want to stay outside as much as possible. Skiers might be interested in the nearby Mount Killington Ski Resort, only 13 minutes away by car. Avid skiers will remember plummeting down the peak’s vertical drop, the largest in New England at 3,050 feet.
Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel, Boston, Mass.
From $279
www.batterywharfhotelboston.com
Situated directly on Boston Harbor, this fitness sanctuary has all the qualities of a coastal resort, while retaining the urban features that the city is famous for.
Guests will be thankful for that, since Boston is a renowned mecca for biking and walking.
Glide between historic landmarks dating back to America’s infancy on one of the hotel’s complimentary BMW bikes or, if you prefer, take a day to stroll past Founding Father impersonators and visit museums. Any way you swing it, the Fairmont’s location is going to put you in front of stunning views.
Fitness classes include a good range of workouts from the Exhale catalog, some of which are at the boot camp level. Private training is also available.
The meals are nutritious, the sea air touches your balcony and the city is at your doorstep. Better bring a helmet.
Zach Maiorana is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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