Train Alongside Olympic, NFL Athletes at These Travel Destinations
Ski, bike, kayak and run with the pros during your next wellness vacation.
— -- If you've hit a wall in your new year's fitness resolution, follow the lead of professional athletes at your next winter or spring getaway.
The Starwood-owned chain Westin announced its own running concierge Chris Heuisler, who has completed 25 marathons in 20 states and acts as a personal marathon coach for guests. Westin Hotels & Resorts' RunWESTIN Concierge is intended to replace the typical gym workout. Many properties offer a designated RunWESTIN running concierge who leads scenic runs throughout the area, touring landmarks throughout the city.
Here are three choices for NFL players resting up after the Super Bowl to Major League Baseball players gearing up for the spring:
1. Compete at the BodyHoliday in St. Lucia
The picturesque all-inclusive resort BodyHoliday in St. Lucia caters to any fitness ability.
One of the resort's latest active features is the quadrathlon race for your traveling group. It's a step further than just your average triathlon training: a combination of mountain biking, running, rappelling and ocean kayaking. Professional guides, called BodyGuards, assist you -- and quench your thirst -- along the way. At only about $100 a person, the quadrathlon is a steal when the food, massages and other classes, like yoga, are included.
The resort hosted Olympic athletes during its pre-Christmas "restorative" break: Welsh sprinter and silver medalist Colin Jackson, British diving silver medalist Leon Taylor and British silver medalist and sprinter Jamie Baulch. The resort will host four-time U.S. running Olympian Donna Fraser for its WellFit retreat in April. During the intensive, week-long training, guests can participate in daily boot camps, consult with a nutritionist and assess their personal health stats before and after the program.
2. R&R in Turks and Caicos
With the football season at an end, don't be surprised to catch a few NFL stars rejuvenating at the Gansevoort Turks & Caicos.
In addition to hosting record-holding Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps, the property has hosted the likes of Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, Detroit Lions linebacker Rocky McIntosh and former Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young.
3. Ski With Olympians in Utah
This ski season, St. Regis Deer Valley in Park City, Utah, added five "world-class" athletes to its ski ambassador program.
Guests can arrange individual ski experiences for all levels through the concierge during the 2014-2015 winter season, which runs until April 12. Guests can book half-day or full-day excursions, which start at $1,995, and are described as "experiences" rather than ski instruction.
The ambassadors include Mac Bohonnon, the freestyle aerials competitor in the Sochi Winter Olympics; Jillian Vogtli, two-time Olympian in mogul skiing in Salt Lake City and Torino, Italy; and two-time Olympian Kaylin Richardson.
Ski Ambassador freestyle skier Kris “Fuzz” Feddersen said some guests will want to ski the most challenging slopes while others just want a fun afternoon with a ski legend.
“Everybody is looking for something different, and it’s great to put a day together for our guests that they will talk about for a long time," Feddersen said, describing a recent ski day with four older women.
"We skied about 100 feet and stopped to look at the views, then went and had a killer lunch. They all said it was one of the best days of skiing they ever had," Feddersen said.