Who said working out on holiday has to be a hassle? With National Fitness Day (20th September) just around the corner, this selection of active lifestyle destinations is changing the holiday workout game with their state-of-the-art facilities and unique fitness activities, helping you strike the perfect balance between leisure and wellness whilst staying on track with your wellbeing goals!
Bond Through Water Sports in Pristine Lagoons
No one better understands the bonding power of sports than Kandima Maldives. Set on a three-kilometre-long island in the Dhaalu Atoll, Kandima is an active lifestyle destination offering a mixture of high and low impact sports as well as a range of overwater and underwater sporting activities to suit all guests. Those who crave an intensive activity can try scuba diving, snorkelling, or take private dive lessons from beginner to advanced levels. Kandima also offers lessons for jet skiing, kite surfing, wakeboarding, fly boarding, and more from 30 mins to an hour for groups of three to four, an ideal afternoon of activities for families or groups of friends to experience.
Want to treasure the moment forever? GoPros and Olympus TG-6s can be rented on-resort to allow you a foolproof way of capturing your water sports memories. Check out Kandima’s full Aquaholics offering here!
Challenge yourself to go on gravity-defying waterslides
Splash out at an exhilarating waterpark for a cool afternoon that will have you forget about the sweat and exhaustion of the gym at Fodele Beach, a destination sure to leave kids and grown-ups in awe! Filled with wildly thrilling waterslides for visitors of all ages, the park promises to get your heartbeat up and your adrenaline pumping! The Fodele Reef also boasts numerous snorkeling and diving sites teeming with marine life such as starfish and colorful sponges for the marine-curious.
Channel your adventurous spirit and embark on a mountain biking expedition to explore Crete’s off-beat locales. Fancy an indoor workout to cool off from the Mediterranean sun? Head to the hotel’s world-class fitness centre equipped with top quality Cybex and Technogym machines and gears.
Sleek and suave worldclass gym and seaside yoga
On the enchanting island of Mykonos you can make health a priority like never before at the luxurious boutique hotel, Kivotos Mykonos.
Fitness enthusiasts delight at the hotel’s sleek Neptune gym, delivering a sophisticated wellness experience with its state-of-the-art facilities, crisp minimalist design and high-end equipment.
For those looking to embrace the island way, immerse yourself in the soothing symphony of ocean waves as you partake in a calming seaside yoga session. Inner peace and liveliness await as trained professionals lead you through guided meditations and dynamic flows suitable for all fitness levels.
Golfing greenside delights
Experience a golfers paradise at Cullinan Belek, where the sport of kings takes centre stage. Immerse yourself in a world of luxury and leisure as you tee off at the prestigious golf club and play in the two meticulously maintained 36-hole golf courses, Aspendos and Olympos. Adorned with lush greenery and breathtaking views, beginners and avid golfers alike are sure to find what they are looking for with a wide range of PGA-certified courses on offer tailored to every level.
Cullinan additionally offers a full house of fitness activities! Develop kinesthetic awareness of your body as you levitate mid-air during an aerial yoga session. For something slightly more “grounded”, activate your strategic mind-body connection in a game of boccia or opt for the inspiring Animal Flow class, combining stretching and calisthenics in a combination of moves mimicking the postures of animals.
Soul-soothing Sunrise Yoga by the Sea
An array of sports and wellness activities await you at Nova Maldives that will help you to find serenity through sports this National Fitness Day. Nova’s signature yoga sessions are both a soul-soothing experience and a health-enhancing promise, practise with other yogis against a breathtaking backdrop of the Indian Ocean’s pristine lagoons. Start your day with a revitalising sunrise session, allowing the gentle rays of the sun to awaken your senses as you find balance and inner harmony.
During the day, take to the waters with Nova’s array of in and overwater sports, including active aerobics or a lively game of water polo for a dynamic workout. Unleash your energy and embrace the rhythm with sensual dance classes, including Zumba and bachata, where you can let go and move to the beat.
For those who have been feeling out of sync with themselves, allow Nova to guide you back to centre.
Mountain conquests in the UAE
Looking for a way to truly elevate completing your 10k steps a day? Then look no further than the hiking trails in Ras Al Khaimah, known as the “Nature Emirate” of the UAE, the perfect place for those craving exciting outdoor adventures with incredible scenery!
Ras Al Khaimah is home to the towering Jebel Jais – the highest mountain peak in the UAE that bravely rises almost two kilometres above the Arabian Gulf. The hairpin road gloriously meanders through ruddy barren landscapes, deep chasms, and rugged bluffs. On your way up, expect various photogenic opportunities around every bend, ending at an ultimate viewing deck close to the summit with breathtaking views across the Hajar Mountain range.
Various designated mountain trails are suited to walkers of all experience levels. Six trails have a cumulative distance of 16km, each with its own challenges through the diverse mountain ecosystem. Stairway to Heaven is one of the best and most arduous hikes in the Wadi Ghalila of Ras Al Khaimah. The trails that run through Jebel Jais mountains are highly recommended in hiking and climbing circles.
Jebel Jais is also home to UAE’s highest campsite, Camp 1770, boasting scenic mountain views – the perfect camping spot when hiking across the Emirate’s numerous mountain trails. Visitors also can experience Emirati cooking from the local mountain tribes and enjoy meditation and yoga.
You can access further details about the hiking trails and here.
Learn to yoga sleep and do pilates in a majestic setting
Seaside A Lifestyle Resort and neighbouring sister property ACRO Suites are stunning adults-only resorts and the ultimate destinations for an unforgettable World Fitness Day.
The pair of eco-chic luxury Crete hotels perched atop Mononaftis bay, in the idyllic area of Agia Pelagia, are home to the Asana Fitness Club – a magnificent piece of architecture made from bamboo perfect for those looking for an active holiday, featuring sophisticated gym facilities from treadmills, to ellipticals, stair master and brand-new Technogym equipment. The club also features a mix of cross training and functional training sessions for beginner and advanced levels.
The Asana Fitness Club also features a yoga and a pilates studio, with combinations of sunrise or sunset yoga that energise and prepare your body for the day and bring wholesomeness and relaxation in the evening hours in alternation, as well as demonstrations of yoga nidra (conscious yogic sleep) practice, where the body rests and the mind remains aware and active.
Guests can also find tennis and padel courts, a mini basketball court, and on-site personal trainers and instructors in these resorts to support their fitness interests and aspirations.
An ocean-side sports club at your fingertips!
Nestled within the verdant seaside forests of Agia Paraskevi village in Greece, Ajul Luxury Hotel & Spa Resort is not only a destination of luxury, but a uniquely designed property built with an active and balanced lifestyle in mind. Whether it be a spontaneous tennis match with friends and family, or a tournament with like-minded fans, guests are free to book the property’s two seaside tennis courts for some competitive fun! Situated within the hotel’s lush garden oasis, the courts are truly in a league of their own!
If physical awaking is your intention, look no further! The Adventure Park located on the resort’s premises is all you need. Choose between the climbing tower with two levels of difficulty and summon your inner strength to balance and jump across obstacles in the balance section of the course. Before you leave don’t forget to visit the Archery area offering an alternative sports experience!
For those seeking some adventure in nature, head out and explore Halkidiki through expert-guided trekking, hiking, and mountain biking excursions.
While enjoying a fitness holiday escape, it is important to hydrate and take care of your body with nourishing food and drinks to recharge. Don’t worry because has Ajul got your back! Ask for the healthy snack and beverage choices to boost your energy as you enjoy the full range of facilities and activities offered.
Yin yoga and breathwork to rewire your bodily circuits
With breathtaking views of the Santorini landscape, Kivotos Santorini is the perfect location to work up a sweat.
Renew your body and mind through specially curated one or two-day retreats to reconnect with your inner self through ancient healing techniques such as sound therapy, breathwork and Yin Yoga.
Yin Yoga is a slow, soothing, and meditative style of yoga targeting deep connective tissues, bones, joints, fascia, and ligaments in the body. It also focuses on stretching and stimulating different acupressure points from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The ‘Workation’ Destination of Dreams
The Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay is a resort to bookmark for sports lovers! Set amidst the awe-inspiring hillside landscapes of Crete, the property features three state-of-the art hard tennis courts, alongside a beach volleyball court, mini-football and handball court. Additionally, the resort’s yoga and Pilates deck, as well as outdoor gymnastics and bodyweight training areas are built to support guests’ active lifestyle pursuits and bodybuilding goals, especially helpful if you prefer to keep on track with workouts when on holiday.
For adventurous little ones, the property’s two kids’ pools and dedicated play area promise to delight! The varied range of fitness offerings make this resort ideal for guests seeking a longer workation, where top notch facilities allow you to alternate between fitness, relaxation and work day-to-day. Don’t forget to refuel your energy with healthy snacks and drinks carefully curated with pure ingredients to reenergise your body.
Book some time off to the island of the fittest in the Caribbean
Fitness enthusiasts will find a plethora of options to stay active and maintain their fitness routine in Jamaica. The island offers a range of activities such as beach workouts, hiking adventures, and water sports like paddleboarding and snorkeling, allowing visitors to combine fitness with the beauty of the Caribbean.
For the ultimate ‘’fitcation’ in Jamaica, venture off the beaten track to Jakes Hotel, a bohemian hideaway nestled by the sea on Treasure Beach offering yoga retreats amid folds of nature, the perfect spot to practice your downward dog with dolphins in the distance as pelicans soaring overhead.
Check out the renowned Tryall Club, a private members-only resort located in Hanover Parish, for top tennis facilities with nine courts set amidst tropical gardens and breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. The destination is a favourite among world champions like Serena Williams and Boris Becker who frequent the grounds for training sessions.
