This list is compiled based on the retreats’ general location and accessibility, friendliness and expertise of the staff, housing and gym amenities, as well as food delectability.
Canyon Ranch Fitness Resorts
CANYON RANCH
Canyon Ranch is an absolutely beautiful desert Resort that is the ultimate in luxury and service, which is why I picked this as the #1 Fitness Resort that I visited.. . .Full Review
Overall Rating: 4.40 Program Design: 4.00 1
Accommodations: 5.00 Activities/Services: 5.00
Staff: 5.00 Cost: 3.00
Fitness Camps
LIVE IN FITNESS ENTERPRISE
This all-inclusive Fitness Retreat will get you in shape like no other! If you need to lose weight, gain weight, get into shape or are an athlete that needs to take it to the next level, then this is the place to go. L.I.F.E. as the “campers” call it, is in an urban beach setting in southern California nestled between Manhattan Beach and Santa Monica.Each person’s program is individualized to ens. . . Full Review
Overall Rating: 4.30 Program Design: 5.00 2
Accommodations: 3.50 Activities/Services: 4.00
Staff: 5.00 Cost: 4.00
Fitness Spa Vacations
RANCHO LA PUERTA
They’ve coined themselves “the original destination spa”, and I do believe it! It is a beautiful setting, Mediterranean style rooms, gardens, produce hand picked from the gardens, fish purchased at the outdoor market. No TV’s here, and arts & crafts classes abound. A little granola in these respects for my taste, but relaxing, that’s for sure. It is a good thing to shut out the rest of the worl. . . Full Review
Overall Rating: 3.70 Program Design: 3.50 3
Accommodations: 4.00 Activities/Services: 3.50
Staff: 3.50 Cost: 4.00
Weight Loss Retreats
FITNESS RIDGE
Calling itself “The Biggest Loser Resort” has made this one popular place!This fairly new weight loss camp clearly has one goal in mind, to offer a comfortable place to lose weight. Not too much pushing and prodding here, but the Facilities & Activities are available to get you there should you have the will to make it happen!!!. . . Full Review
Overall Rating: 3.30 Program Design: 3.00 4
Accommodations: 3.00 Activities/Services: 3.50
Staff: 3.00 Cost: 4.00
HILTON HEAD HEALTH INSTITUTE
Hilton Head Health Institute is a nice place to relax, take in some exercise classes & lectures, take a bike ride or walk on the beach.. . . Full Review
Overall Rating: 3.20 Program Design: 3.00 5
Accommodations: 3.00 Activities/Services: 3.00
Staff: 3.00 Cost: 4.00
BOOT CAMP WORKOUT 1

Want to lose weight fast and get rid of those annoying calories? Well, then you might as well go for a boot camp workout routine in a gymnasium, or do it at home after consulting a fitness trainer. Boot camp or fitness boot camp is nothing but a vigorous and extensive fitness regime. It basically involves aerobic exercises and weight training. It is called a boot camp because it involves training a group of people in an outdoor scenario. Boot camp workouts routines are fast becoming popular in the fitness industry as a workout plan promoting camaraderie, fitness and team effort. A good boot camp includes strength training, circuit training, muscle flexibility and abdominal workout. In case you are pondering over a boot camp workout plan, here is what you need.

Boot Camp Workout In 10

This is a 10 minute drill including around 10 exercises. Boot camp workout is great for burning fat and going a step further towards a toned body.

High Knee Drill: Start off with a high knee drill. Raise your knee as close to your chest as you can and then replace that foot on the ground. Repeat with the other foot. Keep the contact time with the ground minimum and do it as fast as you can.

Jumps: This is plain jumping, but while jumping, you have to raise your arms above your head, and spread your legs while in the air. Jumping and raising your hands above your head should happen simultaneously.

Jump Push Up: Perform a high jump, as high as you can and then land on your feet and keep your hands on the ground. Now kicking your feet back will get you into a push up position for a moment. Follow it up by jumping back in an upright position.

Dumbbell Pushups: Place the dumbbells on the ground and attain a push up stance. Now hold the dumbbells and perform a push up, extending your arms totally. Follow this up by lifting each dumbbell alternately up to your chest in the same position. Keep your abs tight and back flat during this whole process.

Squats and Presses with Dumbbells: Begin with holding the dumbbells at shoulder level. Follow it up with a squat and while you get back into an upright position push the dumbbells fully above your head and extend your arms completely. Then bringing the dumbbells down, go down on a 1/4th squat.

Lunges: This is the easiest of the exercises. To do this, place your hands behind your head with your feet wide apart. Now squat sideways, transferring your weight and hips to one side. Let your hips drop behind the foot you have transferred your weight to.

Bench Dip: Grab hold of a bench, placing your hands on the edge of the bench. Keep your feet on the ground and legs partly straight. Now bend your arms up to about 90 degrees. Get back to the original position.


Hamstring Exercise: Keep your feet wide apart as much as possible. Lean and bend down, or rather forward and place your hands down, until you feel a considerable stretch in your hamstring. More on hamstring workout.

Stand and Stretch: Stand by holding on to an object for support, and then bringing one foot up, grab it with your hand and pull your leg up from behind you, till you feel your hamstring stretch.

Tricep Stretching: Stand or sit upright and place the hand of the arm which is going to be stretched at the base of the neck behind you. Grab the elbow of that arm with the opposite hand and pull until you can feel the stretch in your triceps. Hold and repeat with the other hand.

Tips

  • First three should be done in 30 seconds, without a break, from one to the other exercise. Take a breather and repeat.


  • Perform the following 4 exercises in 30 seconds each, without a break, from one exercise to the other.

  • Catch up on your breath and repeat the circuit twice.

  • Give 30 seconds to each of the last three stretches.

    • These were exercises for an elementary boot camp workout plan. Let's take a look at one more boot camp workout.
WHAT FITNESS VACATION IS ALL ABOUT

A fitness vacations can be a getaway to any number of locations around the world, from an exotic island to a dude ranch. Each locale may offer a unique experience, such as a health spa, fitness boot camp or holistic fitness retreat. Other destinations may offer an aerobics theme, a weight-loss retreat or a healthy food-themed retreat.

Depending on the location and theme of the fitness retreat, outdoor activities can include solo or guided hikes, obstacle course activities, biking, morning walks, beach walking, or horseback riding. Some vacationers may reap more motivation and success with group activities, while others prefer to go solo.

Vacationers interested in a more intense fitness vacation may find a fitness boot camp as a suitable choice. Activities may include early morning cardio workouts, hikes, and kick boxing. Visitors may also join in such exercise as circuit weight training, water aerobics and a variety of team sports, such as volleyball. Some locations offer personal trainers to keep visitors motivated as well.

For those looking for a slower paced trip and some calming stress relief, a spa or holistic retreat may be best. These destinations commonly offer activities that involve stretching exercises, yoga, pilates and meditation. These retreats have a strong focus on healthy eating as well—some may even offer organic food package options.

Some resort destinations focus on visitors to relish their life. These locations often provide more adventure-related activities, such as kayaking, windsurfing and parasailing. If the resort is in a mountainous area, there may be opportunities to rock climb, rappel or even river raft.

For those looking for more of a weight-loss fitness vacations, there are a variety of options. Many destinations offer extensive services that include therapeutic exercises, counseling, blood work, and daily monitoring of goals.