Not every solos’ ideal holiday is laying on the beach soaking up the rays. Getting active on fitness holidays not only keeps you fit and active but it’s also a good way of meeting others who have similar interests. It doesn’t have to be just in the summer either.

A fitness holiday allows you to experience new places, get out in the sunshine (hopefully) and keep fit whilst you’re at it. But, although there are many advantages to going on a fitness holiday, there are a few things you should consider before booking yours to make sure it’s the right one for you:

What To Expect in a Fitness Holiday

Your fitness ability should always be the first thing you need to consider before deciding on a destination. Do you have time to prepare your fitness before your trip? Some trips are full-on and require you to be active every day. If you’ve never exercised before then you may find health and fitness travel a bit challenging. You could always try a mini weekend break such as a yoga or pilates retreat to get you started.

Dancing holidays are a great way of learning a new skill or improving on an old one. You could learn salsa in Cuba or Tango in Argentina and have some time off before and afterwards to sightsee with others in the group. Here are some ideas for solo fitness holidays:

Skiing

While there are many destinations where you can plan a ski holiday, The Alps is one of the unrivalled. It is an expansive mountain range with a length of 1200 kilometres, which cover Italy, Germany, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro.

If you plan a skiing trip, one of the best places that you might want to checkout is Chamonix Mont Blanc, which is a part of France. It is shadowed by Mont Blanc, known as the highest peak from the Alps mountain range, which has a height of 4,810 meters. In Switzerland check out Davos, which is the largest ski resort in the country. If you prefer Italy then Cortina d’Ampezzo is a popular choice.

At the end of a long day of skiing you can relax in a luxurious chalet or socialise with others apres-ski. It’s a great way to spend a winter holiday.

Diving

If you love sun, sea, and sand, the Maldives is a great destination to dive in. The area is famed for their over-water bungalows and coral atolls.

Diving here is year-round although you may want to avoid the monsoon season between April to October. One of the most popular dive sites is Fotteyo Kandu in Vaavu Atoll, where you can see yellow soft coral, black coral, and caves. Kuredu Express, which is best for more experienced divers, gives you glimpses of eagle rays, sting rays and barracuda.

If the Maldives seems too luxurious then look at diving holidays in Thailand or Egypt instead.

Tennis

Fitness holidays are such a great way to meet others. Even if you haven't played tennis for years, you'll soon remember how to serve. You’ll find tennis experiences throughout Europe so you can enjoy a holiday in Greece, Turkey or on an Italian island and develop your skills at the same time. Tennis is for all levels and you can sign up for group or private lessons. You can even book into their academy for an intensive week of tennis. You're guaranteed to come back fitter.

Golfing

For those who love golfing (yes, girls like golfing too!) the Costa del Sol is an ideal holiday destination. It is home to some of the best golf courses in Spain, which are perfect for all skills. You get to spend time in nature with some incredible panoramas whilst practising your swing. It’s not that demanding on your fitness either so anyone can do it.

Aside from stunning landscapes, the region has a good climate meaning that you can tee off at almost any time of the year. And it's only a short flight from the UK. 

Some of the best in the Costa del Sol include Aloha Golf Club, Atalaya Golf and Country Club, Santana Golf, Mijas Golf International, Marbella Club Golf Resort, and Finca Cortesin Golf Club. There are more than 70 places to play golf here so you’re guaranteed to find one that suits you.

What To Look For When Booking a Fitness Holiday

Different regions are good for different types of holidays. For trekking and hiking, you could consider the French Alps or Snowdonia if you have a good level of fitness. Whereas those looking for more gentle walking breaks should maybe look at areas like Spain, the Italian Coast and the Lake District. It’s important to look at the weather too as immense heat can make doing a boot camp much more difficult.

You could do a surfing holiday in the Canary Islands and learn how to surf. Lessons are generally every day Monday to Friday with the weekends as your spare time. If you’re heading to Africa you could kayak down the Nile or trek the Sahara in Morocco. There are so many you could choose.

There are advantages and disadvantages to different group sizes when going on a fitness holiday. In a big group there can be a mix of different abilities so you don’t need to worry about being left behind. Check the group size with your tour operator to make sure that you are happy with the group beforehand.

What To Take

Once you’ve decided on a location and what type of fitness holiday you want to do, ensure that you have the right kit for your trip.

If you are planning to hike then worn in walking boots should be the first item on your list, so go on a few warm up walks before the trip to make sure they’re comfortable. Take a rain jacket with you if you are travelling in the rainy season and warm layers if you are planning to do outdoor activities. For water sports check if you need any specific gear such as waterproof shoes. Do you need to take any equipment with you such as a surf board or can you rent them when you are there?

Finally

You can always combine fitness in with your trip. If you are heading to a city such as Boston, you could time it with the Boston marathon for example. Races are a great way to see a foreign city in a carnival atmosphere, and the Boston Marathon is definitely one of the oldest and best. There are marathons all over the world and running through the streets of Berlin for example gives your weekend away in Germany an extra edge.

Traveling gives us the much-needed chance to challenge ourselves and get out of our comfort zone. Taking a fitness holiday can be one of the most beneficial ways of spending your time away. You may come back with a whole new passion.