Squats, lunges and pushups on the beach at 8 a.m. might not sound like a great vacation to you, but for me it was absolute heaven.
Beach vacations are traditionally about treating yourself, leaving your running shoes at home and putting the calorie counter away, especially at an all-inclusive resort. But with travelers more fitness-minded than ever, many are staying active and getting outdoors, even during indulgent getaways.
With this in mind, the AIC Hotel Group has entered into a partnership with fitness leader Les Mills for a series of programs at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana. I experienced the program during a recent stay at the Riviera Maya property.
Decked out in Les Mills apparel, I downed an egg white omelet my first morning there and made my way to the resort's open-air pavilion overlooking the Caribbean Sea. A table was strewn with fresh juices, coffee, water, yogurt and granola. Facing the sea were rows of workout benches, mats and barbells with clickable weights to add on as we went.
Through a weekly visiting-instructor program, guests can choose up to three daily classes from a collection of 14 training programs, with 10 group-fitness classes such as the BodyPump total body program and four 30-minute High Intensity Interval Training sequences.
The morning workout I chose was a BodyPump, and I had no idea what I was in for. I go to the gym six days a week and follow an intense weight-training program; unsure of what to expect, before the class I arrogantly used the Hard Rock's gym facilities just in case the BodyPump routine wasn't intense enough.
It turns out the joke was on me. Not only is the BodyPump class a true challenge for any workout junkie, it's incredibly fast-paced and — dare I say it? — fun. Our smiling, energetic instructors, Rigo and Robyn, led us through a series of low-weight, high-rep, intense workout moves that left us covered in sweat and feeling the burn. But a pulsing soundtrack and a view of the tranquil Caribbean amps up this experience beyond any gym program.
Feeling inspired, the next day I tried the signature BodyCombat program, which runs through basic kickboxing moves, again at an increased pace and to an adrenaline-pumping soundtrack. Rigo and Robyn were incredibly patient in helping demonstrate the moves, completely eliminating the intimidation factor, as I've never done a kickboxing move in my life. That said, let's hope those photos never surface.
Muscles blissfully sore and ego taken down a few pegs, this was an inspiring and motivating experience that is a welcome change in the traditional all-inclusive experience. See www.hrhallinclusive.com.