Andy Devaney
Large numbers of people are becoming increasingly concerned with their health and fitness. This has helped to create a boom in gyms and other facilities, and to pack the supermarket shelves with fitness-oriented snacks.
This trend has also helped to shape our preferences when it comes to holiday destinations. Let’s take a look at why.
Why fitness-focused travel is booming
You might think of a holiday as a chance to recuperate and to allow your body to take a break. But the truth is that our bodies often recover best when they’re exposed to new kinds of strain. Holiday makers often feel mentally depleted, rather than physically so – thanks to jobs that demand mental labour from sedentary workers.
A preference for activity-oriented, purposeful travel should therefore come as no surprise. According to recent polling, around 59% of tourists claim to seek to relax while they’re on holiday. However, an eyebrow-raising 29% claimed to want to reduce stress and maintain their fitness levels.
Active escapes: from yoga retreats to sports-driven breaks
So, what qualifies as a ‘fitness’ holiday? The truth is that the activities on offer can vary considerably. You might spend a week doing light stretches and yoga, or participate in a military-style week-long boot camp.
Of course, one of the best ways to see a beautiful and inspiring part of the natural world is by walking through it. Hiking and walking holidays are therefore a popular, affordable, and generally inspiring way to spend a spare week or two. It’s a low-impact, highly effective way to get from one place to the next.
Combining luxury, wellness and destination variety
Fitness holidays have long been offered by specialised resorts. If you want to do weighted Pilates for a week, then it’s easy to find a facility that will afford you the necessary space and guidance.
At the same time, this is a trend that’s also been noticed by operators of luxury resorts that cater to a more general customer base. You might find spaces for wellness, gyms, and other activities. This might allow a fitness-conscious traveller to stay active in a different destination. This might mean a mountain lodge, a desert island, or a dense jungle.
How to pick your fitness holiday & what to check
Before you book a fitness holiday, you’ll need to establish that it’s a good fit for your personal needs. This might mean checking that you meet the basic level of fitness required. If you haven’t walked further than a few miles in one go recently, it might be a bad idea to agree to a hundred-mile hike.
It’s often a good idea to also establish what’s included. You may need to pay extra for coaching and additional equipment. In the UK, it’s often younger people who prioritise fitness and wellness, but that isn’t true in every resort.
It’s worth doing your research and establishing that your chosen resort offers the kinds of facilities and social scene that will fit with your needs.
