Fitness vacations take root in Tampa Bay area

In the morning shadows of the Don CeSar Beach Resort, most of those milling about took in the crisp morning air, sipping coffee on the pool deck or strolling the beach.

But one group didn't seem to notice the surrounding luxury.

With twisted faces and clenched fists, the vacationers grunted and moaned with every movement, their sweat mixing into the powdery white sand beneath them. Their morning was full of lunges, sit-ups, squats and a four-mile run along the shoreline - all part of an expensive fitness vacation package offered at the resort.

Fitness vacations are becoming a popular niche in the travel industry. Such trips often cater to "fitness fanatics" who want to do more than lounge on a beach or soak in the spa. Organizers plan vacationers' fitness activities and meals and provide counseling.

Programs, such as the one at the Don CeSar, are geared as boot camps, while fat camps, girls getaways, adventure treks and other types of fitness vacations also are popular.

Maria Walker founded Getaway Fitness, the Wetschase company that organizes the fitness vacations at the resort, three years ago. She wanted to serve the traveler who wanted to combine a luxury vacation with a grueling workout.

"People do it for all different reasons," she said. "Some do it simply because they want to get back in shape and believe they'll be more motivated in a tropical setting. Others have had something happen in their life, and they are looking for a boost to change their life."

Getaway Fitness runs programs at a San Diego resort and locally at the Don CeSar. Walker also plans to expand to a golf resort soon.

Guests pay between $1,000 and $7,000, depending on the length of their stays, which typically range from a day to two weeks. Each day, trainers lead them through five hours of intense fitness activities that include cardio, strength-training, biking, kayaking and swimming. The package also includes their stay at the resort.

Trainers try to take the sting out of the workouts by providing scenic surroundings for weary exercisers. Instead of sweating through routines in a windowless gym, guests can test their strength and endurance while staring at blue skies and pounding waves.

Trainer Kellie Pioch works with people at every fitness level.

"We get the fitness fanatics, but we also get the people who don't think they can do anything," she said. "But they usually leave here with a sense that they are physically and mentally stronger than they ever thought."

Lots of companies have started offering fitness travel packages across the country, and even abroad, usually in warmer climates or at all-inclusive resorts.

Fit Interest Tours, based in San Diego, created a fitness division two years ago to offer fitness-focused trips.

"Our clients are typically the fitness nuts, like marathon runners who don't want to just sit around a hotel on vacation," said David Lawrence, the company's director. "They are also people who may have once been fit and are trying to jump start their fitness program again."

Booking these types of vacations in slow economic times can be tough, though, Lawrence said.

"These are definitely luxury vacations, and people are cutting back on luxuries," he said. "But that said, interest remains high in getaways that center on fitness."

Fitness vacations are a hot trend in the travel industry, said Julia Valentour, a spokeswoman for the American Council on Exercise.

"There seems to be more and more of these out there because they appeal to all types of travelers," she said.

Some trips focus on individual fitness, while other vacations center on sports such as golf, Valentour said. Vacationers can also get price breaks on trips at luxury resorts by offering to teach fitness classes.

Getaway Fitness offers a less-expensive option for locals. For $200, people can get the same five hours of fitness as vacationers, plus breakfast at the hotel.

Those who sign on come looking to change their bodies but end up changing their lives, Walker said.

"Many of these people have had something happen to them, and they are just looking for something to give them that boost to move to the next level," she said.

Jennifer Thimmesch came from Fort Worth, Texas, for a 14-day program at the Don CeSar.

"I was in between jobs and feeling blah, and I was completely out of shape," she said.

"The first day was so hard I was ready to go home, but I stuck with it, and it changed my life.

"It's really not a vacation; it's an experience. This isn't about my family, my kids, it's just about me."