The best fitcations for women

Get fit in San Diego

Start your San Diego fitcation at the Carlsbad Stairs. Located in North County, the stairs lead to a pristine beach, perfect for running and doing sand drills. They say those who love stairs create perky bums.

After enjoying a day of beach fun, head to Bird Rock Fit. A smaller gym that is getting acclaim, the focus of Bird Rock Fit is small group training. You and your BFF can train with only a handful of others, creating an intimate group to laugh hard as you lunge across the floor. The Metabolic Effect class rocks, as do all the others including TRX, Functional Fitness and F.I.T.

Get your energy up for a night at Zumba! At Party Fitness, you feel as if you are with the party rock stars in each class. Owner Ninfa Skezas is of South American descent and every class incorporates various types of dance she’s been exposed to. While burning as much as 1,000 calories shaking hips, shimmying and possibly bonding with your classmates over having two left feet, you are creating the best vacation memories.

Pamper yourself with a day at Palomar. You can’t go wrong with the spa and any of their spa services. Finish the spa day with sunset drinks at Summersalt Rooftop Pool & Lounge.

Photo credit: barre3

Get fit in Portland, Oregon

Start off on the 70 miles of running trails in the famed Forest Park at the Leif Erickson entrance. Enjoy running trails through the woods, and finish by walking the 2 miles to the Pearl District to barre3.

Founded in Portland, barre3 is one of the most unusual and challenging fitness classes you'll ever try. Combining ballet barre, yoga and Pilates, founder Sadie Lincoln creates dynamic movements full of isometric holds and sequences that challenge the body in ways you didn’t realize you could be challenged. These little movements even make fans like Madonna go “Ouch!” — in a good way!

Venture to Yoga Pearl, a secret oasis of some of the most intense yoga classes in the country. The schedule is packed daily with classes ranging from Power Vinyasa to Yoga for Athletes. You might even catch a class with Yoga Powerhouse instructors such as Simon Park.

Enjoy one of Portland’s best happy hours at Oba!, with nuevo Latino food and incredible drinks. The Oregon marionberry mojito is delish!

While you may be enjoying a fitcation in Portland, you can be pampered in “Hawaii” at Kanani Pearl. The welcoming aroma of plumeria wafts throughout. Enjoy the specialty Mana Lomi massage, a deep-tissue traditional Hawaiian massage that connects the heart, mind, body and soul.

Get fit in Chicago

Just west of Chicago is S& L Tri-Cycle Fit Studio. Home of master trainer Leslie Grosshauser’s rides, the classes are not only intense but a laugh fest, as a fitcation should be. In 60 minutes you can challenge your teammates and may be encouraged to sing karaoke while you spin. S& L Tri-Cycle is also home to Piloxing, the exciting program combining Pilates and boxing. You’ll ride like a rock star and then sting like a bee.

Walk Chicago’s famed lakefront and hit up the East Bank Club for a group exercise schedule to drool over. Enjoy teasing your best friend while hitting golf balls, and making flirty eyes at the golf pro. Finish up with spa time in their state-of-the-art spa and then enjoy dinner at one of their four (yes, four) restaurants!

Celebrate after your sweat fests at Bar Novo. Located in Chicago’s downtown loop, it's a divine gem you might never knew existed. Bar Novo’s a hip swanky lounge; you’ll feel fancy and definitely like you are on a vacation. Being in Chicago, the Irish fig cocktail is perfect. Made with Jameson Irish whiskey, it's post-workout heaven.

Get fit in New York City

How can you not have an incredible fitcation in New York City? From walking in Central Park to rock climbing or beach volleyball at Chelsea Piers, the biggest city in the United States is made for fabulous fitcations.

Start with Flywheel. With tons of locations to choose from, FlyWheel pushes you to a speed you didn’t know was possible. Studios feature mood lighting, comp-trainers set up to motivate your training goals and a playlist that is choreographed to each class. With instruction on which resistance levels and RPM to be at, you'll create a sweat puddle to be proud of.

Visit Central Park and walk the 1.58-mile track around the Central Park Reservoir twice. One lap is your turn to dish and the second lap your bestie's turn. Make your way to Bow Bridge reminiscing over the girly movies shot there, and enjoy Bethesda Fountain for some bonding memories tossing coins and making wishes.

Don’t miss the Greenhouse Holistic for the signature hot stone and deep tissue massage. With three locations to choose from, you are set!

Become a Surf Betty at SurfSET Fitness. Located in Chelsea Piers, the class combines balance and agility with Pilates, boot camp drills and crazy core workouts while balancing on a surfboard. Within the first 5 minutes, your muscles will be quivering, but you can stay motivated by watching the video reel of waves crashing and beach faves like Sublime pumping you up.

Photo credit: Catch Some Air

Get fit in Charleston

From a Southern stroll through downtown to body surfing on the adjacent island beaches, Charleston’s rich character can make any fitcation memorable.

Bring on your Southern feminine charm at Amorous Dance with a pole dancing class. With six class formats and the supportive help from some of the country’s best instructors, you'll feel as comfortable as possible while learning techniques to twist and dance on a pole. Pole dancing is one of the most challenging workouts you can try, and the most fun when done with your closest friends.

Sullivan’s Island is ideal for getting your SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) on with Catch Some Air. Grab your bikini and sunscreen for this workout that blasts every muscle of your body, as you learn how to walk on the water! Bond over the boards as you enjoy sweating at sea.

Following a day full of pole dancing and SUPing, head to historic downtown Charleston’s Squeeze Bar for a night of tasty drinks like the blue Kentucky or the Rain Dance. Within “Charleston’s tightest bar,” measuring just 11 feet long and 8 inches wide, you'll find dynamic bartenders who may even give you a bartending lesson.

So raise your glass (and your behinds, with all those squats and lunges), to toast you and your besties for making memories in health, fitness and friendship!

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