10 great places to exercise your sense of adventure
— -- Keeping your New Year's fitness resolutions doesn't have to be a long and lonely trip on the treadmill. Men's Health editor in chief David Zinczenko shares his top places to make the world your gym.
Lake TahoeNevada If you find yourself sick of the slopes but still craving some serious cardio, try snowshoeing. A good place to begin would be the miles of groomed trails in the Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, Zinczenko says. "We may not realize it, but our lives have become increasingly noisy between the TVs, computers and politicians. Snowshoeing is the perfect way to plug into the serenity and silence your mind is craving, with the exception of an owl now and then." bluelaketahoe.com
CozumelMexico Jacques Costeau put the Palancar Reef on the map more than 50 years ago when he declared it a scuba hot spot. This island off Mexico is surrounded by coral, which makes it a reef-seeker's refuge. Grab your oxygen tank and swim your way into shape. "If Al Gore's right, the reefs might be in danger, so book now," Zinczenko says. islacozumel.com.mx
Koh TaoThailand It's not called Thai-boxing for nothing. Pack a punch against calories by training with skilled professional fighters on this remote island in Thailand. "If you're not feeling challenged by your current workout, having a guy square off against you intending bodily harm is plenty of motivation," Zinczenko says. Show off your leaner physique and regain your strength by spending your afternoons beachside. tourismthailand.org/attraction/suratthani-84-5415-1.html
Whistler BlackcombBritish Columbia Hit the slopes of our northern neighbor and brace yourself for a workout you're sure to feel après-ski. Consistently ranked one of the top ski destinations in the world, Whistler Blackcomb offers something for everyone — from advanced backcountry skiers to snowplowers in ski school. "The problem with skiing in the USA is that there are so many people," Zinczenko says. "Canada doesn't have nearly the population of skiers, so you don't spend your time waiting in lift lines when you can be on the hill."whistlerblackcomb.com
Lake DistrictArgentina "Cycle your way from Chile to Argentina in the (northern Patagonia) Lake District, a natural treasure featuring picturesque volcanoes, dazzling lakes and a national parks preserve," Zinczenko says. "It's the antidote to the big bus tour … a great fitness boost, and it allows you to slow down and meet the people and see the country." turismo.gov.ar/eng/menu.htm
County WicklowIreland "You'll be hard-pressed to find a greener spot for golfing than Ireland, where overall the courses are more difficult than even Scotland's," Zinczenko says. Head to County Wicklow, just south of Dublin. The area, home to the Wicklow Mountains national park and the backdrop of the film Braveheart, offers more than a dozen courses, many overlooking the Irish Sea. visitwicklow.ie
GoaIndia "Take a yoga retreat in this Portuguese colony known for gorgeous beaches and a temperate climate along the Arabian Sea," Zinczenko says. "In stressful times, we can all use new ways to unwind. It's a destination where you're taking in your surroundings and connecting with nature in a way that you can't on a mat in a gym." goatourism.org
Rio Chiriqui ViejoPanama Channel your inner Indiana Jones on the rapids of Rio Chiriqui Viejo in southwest Panama near the Costa Rican border. "Paddle alongside the region's lush jungle, enjoying scenic views of wildlife, vegetation and waterfalls," Zinczenko says. "Is there anything more primal and exciting than rafting through a jungle?" visitpanama.com/?id=〈=en
Grajagan BayEast Java, Indonesia This Indonesian bay is a treasure-trove for surfers looking for the ultimate in catching waves. "Die-hard surfers consider Grajagan Bay in East Java, northwest of Bali, to be the best surfing spot in Asia, if not the world," Zinczenko says. If you're a beginner, he suggests starting off with smaller surf breaks like Tiger Tracks and Chicken, where the break is about half the size of those at the hang-10 haven of G-Land Bay. eastjava.com
Caribbean National ForestPuerto Rico The locals call it El Yunque, but to vacationers, the Caribbean National Forest is a hiker's haven. The 28,000-acre reserve offers countless trails for exploration of the country's vast array of vegetation and wildlife. "People think of the crowded cities in Puerto Rico, but … if you travel around on foot, you're bound to encounter a type of wildlife you won't see in San Juan." topuertorico.org/reference/yunque.shtml