Best places to take your Fitbit on holiday

Run for the hills in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It means ‘rich coast’ in Spanish, and it’s not hard to see why, either. It’s full of jaw-dropping scenery, including wildlife-filled forests, a looming volcano called Arenal, and of course, its tropical, sandy beaches. These three ingredients make it the ideal destination to literally run for the hills…

Whether you’re after chilled-out jogs or something more marathon-esque, Costa Rica has it all. If long distance running is particularly your thing, though, there are a number of races happening in February, March, April and July in 2017. You can sign up to them here. The distances vary from six kilometres to a slightly more terrifying 236 kilometres – so the choice is all yours. Plus, these organised races pass right through the Arenal Volcano National Park, meaning you’ll get to run directly through the rainforest.

You can also plan your own route if you fancy going it alone. Playa Conchal Beach – also known as Shell Beach – is a popular choice for running. It’s a mixture of crushed shells and sand, fringed by a forest that stretches out for miles. Plus, only a handful of hotels and beachfront condos occupy the area, so it’s really peaceful. There’s always the crystal-clear surf to cool down in afterwards, too.

Practise the tree pose in Thailand

Whether you consider yourself a yogi, or if it’s the first time you’ve thought about trying the downward dog pose, Thailand is the ultimate destination for yoga lovers. The land of smiles is almost completely Buddhist, so relaxation is just the norm here.

It’s no secret that Thailand comes with dreamlike beaches too, which means finding places to practise your top yoga poses won’t be hard to come by. The beaches in Krabi are particularly popular among the yogi community, thanks to the talcum-white sands and limestone cliffs poking out of the sea. Plus, from here you can go on a daytrip to the nearby Phi Phi islands, where blockbuster film The Beach, starring Leonardo Dicaprio, was filmed. Here, it’s nothing but sun, sand, sea and spectacular scenery – so it’s the perfect place to unwind and stretch it out. All together now: Namaste.

Breathe in plenty of fresh air in Iceland’s capital

With stunning sights, countless running and walking trails and some of the cleanest air in the whole world, exercising in Iceland is far from a chore.

If it’s a brisk stroll you’re after, start your route at Lake Tjörnin, near the city hall in Reykjavik. Gardens, statues, and museums surround it – so it’s ideal for selfies mid-walk. Then, you can make your way to Hallgrímskirkja, which is just 10 minutes’ away on foot. Here, you’ll pass the large, steel Sólfar sculpture. It’s also known as the sun voyager, resembling a Viking longship. It also comes with unobstructed views of the ocean, so it’s a really impressive landmark.

Reykjavik holds more than 70 running events every year, so it’s a paradise for Mo Farah wannabes.Laugardalur valley is one of the best places to stretch your legs in the city. It plays host to the national football stadium, a sports hall, an indoor running track and an ice rink. The whole area is set out like a huge park, boasting a botanical garden, a zoo, and Reykjavik’s only camping area. There are plenty of running trails for you to follow too, thanks to the tree-lined paths and gardens.

Keep fit in all-day-long fitness classes in St Lucia

If you and your trusty Fitbit are looking for reasons to go to St Lucia, we’ve got lots of them. St Lucia is renowned for its unspoiled landscape, so you can keep fit in the most adventurous ways. On dry land, you can hike through the Piton Mountains – the most photographed landmark on the island – or zipline through tropical rainforest. And when it comes to watersports, the list is almost endless. Think everything from kayaking to deep-sea fishing and scuba diving.

HolidayBody is one of our favourite A La Carte hotels, and also happens to be one of the best places on the island to work out. This place majors in wellness, offering up yoga, aerobics, tennis, volleyball, Pilates and indoor cycling, to name a few. Some of the fitness classes take place on the beach too, so you’ll get to exercise with knockout views. And the best part? Once you’re done, you can relax your muscles in the hotel’s spa. Need we say more?

Need some more inspiration to get fit? Find out why yoga is better outdoors.

Ready for a health kick in 2017?

See our full range of Robinson Holidays to find your fitness-inspired getaway.

Author: Olivia Hunt