Fitness Ridge Resort Review

 Last month, I spent a week at Fitness Ridge, a fitness resort in Southern Utah.

Since I’ve been home, people have been asking me how my experience was at Fitness Ridge. I’m going to sum it up with one word, AMAZING!!! And yes, I will probably over use that word in this post. But I had the time of my life- it was tough, I’m not going to lie. But it was also exactly what I needed to re-center my life and remember where my priorities are. And my priorities are my husband and my family. I decided to take a week out of my crazy mommy life and do something that would benefit us all… I would learn how to make my life, and in turn, all of our lives a lot healthier.

Because really, a week away was hard, but it was SO worth it to come home to these people I love so much, and know that we are all going to benefit so much from what I learned at Fitness Ridge. And stepping off the plane to see these cute people was a feeling I will never forget.

 

So, I want to share a little bit of my time at Fitness Ridge with you guys.

 The accommodations were really nice. I honestly didn’t spend much time in my room, because I was working so hard, but I slept so well while I was at Fitness Ridge- it could have been because I didn’t have kids waking me up at all hours of the night, or because I was exhausted at the end of the day from all the working out, but either way, I was really impressed with the accommodations.

 

Our schedule was jam-packed everyday, which I actually loved. I liked that we got up early and worked hard all day and then had some free time in the evenings.

 

Everyday started, bright and early, with a stretch class. I loved how the stretch class prepared us for the day ahead. I know my achy muscles appreciated it too.

After stretch class and breakfast, we set off for our hikes, which is what Fitness Ridge is probably most famous for. Southern Utah is GORGEOUS and the hikes were fabulous. Spending 2 hours exploring was so much more fun (for me) than sweating in the gym. It’s like you don’t even know you’re exercising.

 

 I went a lot of places and did a lot of things I never thought I would- or could- do. Some hikes were paved trails, some were sand and rocks, and some must have been blazed by mountain goats. You can pick the difficulty of your hike, though, so I never felt overwhelmed or bored by the hikes. I loved every one I did.

 

 The trainers, hiking guides, and staff at Fitness Ridge are all fabulous. They know how to help you and push you, without breaking you. Nobody’s going to scream in your face or make you throw up all over the treadmill. But they’ll push you farther than you think you can go.

The other guests are fabulous people too. There were times I didn’t think I could make it, or didn’t WANT to go any farther, but I did… and it was because I had people by my side who knew what I was going through, and we helped each other. 

 

The FOOD at Fitness Ridge was probably one of my biggest fears, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking healthy food is gross. Well, was I ever wrong! The food at Fitness Ridge rocked my world! And the entire day stayed around 1500 calories, which was great. 

 

 Seriously, guys, if you don’t believe me about the food, just look at what I was blessed with while I was there…. Oh, I wish I could cook like Chef Sam! 

 

 But guess what? I can! Well, sort of. Some of our classes were food prep and cooking classes taught by Chef Sam. His tips and tricks (and the Fitness Ridge cookbooks) have really helped me bring healthy eating into my own home. 

 

Ok, maybe I lied about the food being one of my biggest fears. I think working out all day, every day was my biggest fear. I am not an athlete, and I have probably only stepped foot into the gym a few times in my whole life. So this right here… it intimidated me BIG TIME!!! 

 

But guess what? There were trainers every step of the way to show me what I should be doing, answer my questions, and help me feel like, for once, I don’t want to pee my pants when I walk into the gym.

They also have super FUN classes like Water Aerobics and Zumba. There is nothing like jumping into the pool (year round) or sitting in the hot tub after you’ve put your all into working out all day. It’s really one of the best feelings ever.

 

I even ran/walked a 10k on Friday (I was there from Sunday to Sunday). That’s more than 6 miles, people!!! And I did it! There is no way in this world I would have EVER thought I could do that. But I will always remember how wonderful it felt to skip- yes, I skipped- across the finish line. It was unbelievable.

 

All that hard work at the gym, hiking, swimming, walking, running… It all PAID OFF!!! A typical day at Fitness Ridge, for me, brought around 3000 calories burned. Keep in mind that everyone is different, and some people burned a lot less, but some burned a lot more. I met a man (named Unk) whose goal was to be over 5000 calories per day. And he did it EVERY day! So cool!

 

One thing I totally underestimated was the classes at Fitness Ridge. We learned everything from Emotional Eating (which I totally needed- have you seen the type of recipes I make?), to Weight Loss Reality, and Making Food Work for You. 

 

The things I learned in that classroom at Fitness Ridge will stay with me for the rest of my life. The knowledge I gained about myself, weight loss and maintenance, and my relationship with food is priceless. THIS is what will help me and my family be healthier and happier.

 

So, after all of that, would I do it again? In a heartbeat. 

It was difficult for me to leave my family for an entire week. Most guest stay for multiple weeks- some for multiple months! A week seems like a long time when you’re in the middle of it, but looking back, that week was just an investment into my family’s health. It was worth it for ME to take some time away and figure out how I could be healthier, and in turn, help my husband and my children learn to live a healthy lifestyle too.

If you have every considered a Fitness Resort, DO IT!!! It’s an all inclusive vacation that is sure to pay off. Skip the cruise or the resort on the beach and go to Southern Utah and explore all that Fitness Ridge has to offer. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how much you’ll love it.