April 11, 2015
Once-In-A-Liftetime Fitness Retreats for Women
It’s almost spring, thank goodness. While you’re planning your next escape, consider booking a fitness or wellness retreat that takes the guesswork out of your itinerary—because, well, it’s all done for you. Even better, the retreats we’ve rounded up here are not only just for women—they’re also geared toward specific athletic interests and pursuits. What are you waiting for? Grab and friend (or fly solo) and go, girl!
Offered weekly throughout the year in Costa Rica, Pura Vida Adventures is a women’s surf and yoga retreat. You’ll learn how to surf (obviously), stand-up paddleboard, and practice yoga against the backdrop of Costa Rica's white sandy beaches and tropical flora. All of your meals, daily surf and yoga lessons, surf equipment, accommodations, and a spa treatment are included in your 7-day/6-night retreat. Stunning sunsets aren't guaranteed, but they come free too!
Held in Estes Park, Colorado—one of the top high-altitude training areas of the world—Active At Altitude Women’s Running Camps are perfect for everyone from women training for their first 10K all the way up to more experienced runners. This year, Melody Fairchild, the current US National 5K, 10K, 15K, and trail half marathon champion, will join several of the camps to help coach women to their running and fitness goals. There are two camp levels, each of which contains a blend of activities to raise conditioning levels—trail runs, speed work and guided climbing/hiking, as well as yoga sessions, form and injury prevention, mental workshops, and journaling.
Ready to unplug and get in touch with your spiritual side? Earth Goddess Rising Retreats promise to change your life in some of the most awe-inspiring locations—Ireland, Hawaii, Colorado, Spain and France, just to name a few. The retreats bring together some of the world’s leading holistic and spiritual healers, yoga teachers, and speakers for workshops that nurture your mind, body, and soul. The recent retreat to Pagosa Springs, Colorado included a mineral hot springs spa day, yoga, meditation, healing workshops, and locally-grown, organic meals prepared onsite.
It’s not too late for ski getaway—most ski resorts keep their lifts open well into April. Hone your skills at Alta Lodge Women’s Camps, where you’ll be able to challenge yourself, improve your techniques, and meet new ski buddies for three days of instruction and four nights of lodging and meals. Taught by instructors from the Alf Engen Ski School, you’ll also get the latest scoop on the newest women-specific skis and gear. Off the hill, there are two yoga sessions, après ski opportunities, meals, and time in the sauna or hot tub.
Want to learn to mountain bike in Moab? SheRides organizes two-day mountain biking retreats, which are open to all skill levels. You’ll learn proper mountain bike techniques, build confidence and solid skills for any trails, and receive personal feedback from your SheRide coach.
Prefer the open road? The Cycling House offers a ton of cycling camps in both the US and Europe. The company’s first women-only camp is happening March 24 to 29 in Tucson, Arizona. Rent a bike through the company or fly out your own. You’ll train for triathlon, indulge in healthy, delicious meals, and bike through some amazing scenery.
Ever dream of being a cowgirl? During this three-day weekend retreat held May 14-17, 2015 at The Resort at Paws Up, you’ll hone your equestrian skills under the tutelage of women who embody the true cowgirl spirit. Located in Montana with private access to the legendary Blackfoot River, The Cowgirl Spring Roundup is the ultimate immersion into cowgirl culture. An all-inclusive weekend that includes educational workshops, trail rides, sporting clays shooting, campfires, and mingling with the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honorees, you’ll even learn to herd cattle across the land on an authentic cattle drive. Giddy up!
First Ascent Mountain School's Women's Climbing Clinic is the perfect getaway if you’re an aspiring or novice rock climber. Located in Colorado Springs, you’ll have the chance to conquer the world famous Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, as well as local secrets like North Cheyenne Canyon and Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Tip: pair your two-day clinic with an overnight at the five-star Broadmoor, also located in Colorado Springs. The resort’s Spa Girl's Getaway includes accommodations, a spa package, and suites at 25-percent off of published rates.
Want to see the world, experience different cultures and try a whole host of different workouts? Check out Fit & Fly Girl, a fitness and wellness retreat company, which hosts week-long retreats just for women in locations all over the world. Held at either private villas with staff (personal chef, butler, housekeeper) or luxury boutique hotels, the company flies in a personal trainer to the retreat location to hold daily fitness classes, including cardio fitness, circuit training or dance fitness. Plus, the company often brings in a local yogi to teach yoga. You’ll also enjoy healthy meals, spa treatments, and participate in a variety of excursions specific to the locale, like surf lessons in Costa Rica, kayaking through sea caves off the coast of Ibiza, or tango lessons in Buenos Aires. In 2015, the company is hosting six retreats in the following locations: Buenos Aires; Costa Rica; Cuba (assuming the U.S. restrictions are lifted by fall); French Riviera; Ibiza, Spain; and Jose Ignacio, Uruguay.
Another similar company worth looking into is Escape to Shape, which (in addition to longer, more far-flung escapes) also offers seven night “Destination Detox” getaways in Hudson, New York and Todos Santo, Mexico. The promise: “a results-driven week of mind and body transformation.” Sign us up!
Source: Shape
Surfing Camp
Offered weekly throughout the year in Costa Rica, Pura Vida Adventures is a women’s surf and yoga retreat. You’ll learn how to surf (obviously), stand-up paddleboard, and practice yoga against the backdrop of Costa Rica's white sandy beaches and tropical flora. All of your meals, daily surf and yoga lessons, surf equipment, accommodations, and a spa treatment are included in your 7-day/6-night retreat. Stunning sunsets aren't guaranteed, but they come free too!
Running Camp
Held in Estes Park, Colorado—one of the top high-altitude training areas of the world—Active At Altitude Women’s Running Camps are perfect for everyone from women training for their first 10K all the way up to more experienced runners. This year, Melody Fairchild, the current US National 5K, 10K, 15K, and trail half marathon champion, will join several of the camps to help coach women to their running and fitness goals. There are two camp levels, each of which contains a blend of activities to raise conditioning levels—trail runs, speed work and guided climbing/hiking, as well as yoga sessions, form and injury prevention, mental workshops, and journaling.
Yoga Retreat
Ready to unplug and get in touch with your spiritual side? Earth Goddess Rising Retreats promise to change your life in some of the most awe-inspiring locations—Ireland, Hawaii, Colorado, Spain and France, just to name a few. The retreats bring together some of the world’s leading holistic and spiritual healers, yoga teachers, and speakers for workshops that nurture your mind, body, and soul. The recent retreat to Pagosa Springs, Colorado included a mineral hot springs spa day, yoga, meditation, healing workshops, and locally-grown, organic meals prepared onsite.
Skiing Retreat
It’s not too late for ski getaway—most ski resorts keep their lifts open well into April. Hone your skills at Alta Lodge Women’s Camps, where you’ll be able to challenge yourself, improve your techniques, and meet new ski buddies for three days of instruction and four nights of lodging and meals. Taught by instructors from the Alf Engen Ski School, you’ll also get the latest scoop on the newest women-specific skis and gear. Off the hill, there are two yoga sessions, après ski opportunities, meals, and time in the sauna or hot tub.
Mountain Biking & Cycling Tours
Want to learn to mountain bike in Moab? SheRides organizes two-day mountain biking retreats, which are open to all skill levels. You’ll learn proper mountain bike techniques, build confidence and solid skills for any trails, and receive personal feedback from your SheRide coach.
Prefer the open road? The Cycling House offers a ton of cycling camps in both the US and Europe. The company’s first women-only camp is happening March 24 to 29 in Tucson, Arizona. Rent a bike through the company or fly out your own. You’ll train for triathlon, indulge in healthy, delicious meals, and bike through some amazing scenery.
Horseback Riding Retreat
Ever dream of being a cowgirl? During this three-day weekend retreat held May 14-17, 2015 at The Resort at Paws Up, you’ll hone your equestrian skills under the tutelage of women who embody the true cowgirl spirit. Located in Montana with private access to the legendary Blackfoot River, The Cowgirl Spring Roundup is the ultimate immersion into cowgirl culture. An all-inclusive weekend that includes educational workshops, trail rides, sporting clays shooting, campfires, and mingling with the Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honorees, you’ll even learn to herd cattle across the land on an authentic cattle drive. Giddy up!
Rock Climbing Adventures
First Ascent Mountain School's Women's Climbing Clinic is the perfect getaway if you’re an aspiring or novice rock climber. Located in Colorado Springs, you’ll have the chance to conquer the world famous Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, as well as local secrets like North Cheyenne Canyon and Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Tip: pair your two-day clinic with an overnight at the five-star Broadmoor, also located in Colorado Springs. The resort’s Spa Girl's Getaway includes accommodations, a spa package, and suites at 25-percent off of published rates.
Wellness Adventures
Want to see the world, experience different cultures and try a whole host of different workouts? Check out Fit & Fly Girl, a fitness and wellness retreat company, which hosts week-long retreats just for women in locations all over the world. Held at either private villas with staff (personal chef, butler, housekeeper) or luxury boutique hotels, the company flies in a personal trainer to the retreat location to hold daily fitness classes, including cardio fitness, circuit training or dance fitness. Plus, the company often brings in a local yogi to teach yoga. You’ll also enjoy healthy meals, spa treatments, and participate in a variety of excursions specific to the locale, like surf lessons in Costa Rica, kayaking through sea caves off the coast of Ibiza, or tango lessons in Buenos Aires. In 2015, the company is hosting six retreats in the following locations: Buenos Aires; Costa Rica; Cuba (assuming the U.S. restrictions are lifted by fall); French Riviera; Ibiza, Spain; and Jose Ignacio, Uruguay.
Another similar company worth looking into is Escape to Shape, which (in addition to longer, more far-flung escapes) also offers seven night “Destination Detox” getaways in Hudson, New York and Todos Santo, Mexico. The promise: “a results-driven week of mind and body transformation.” Sign us up!
Source: Shape