The word “retreat” usually triggers a picturesque image of a beach somewhere, cocktail in hand. But with the word “fitness” attached, it caused a bit of fear.

Although the name may be inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestseller, there is no gorging on pizza Napolitana to “find” ourselves. Instead, while staying in Whistler’s luxury First Tracks Lodge, self-awareness is achieved through playful six hour adventures like hiking, yoga and an excruciating boot camp that made us learn the true meaning of camaraderie: When in pain together, stick together. There might not be pizza, but a personal chef and nutritionist are on site creating the most delectable, yet healthy, meals.


We get it: A fitness retreat is a luxury retreat.
—Anya Georgijevic



Rates from $1069, Eat Play Love, 604-721-7464, www.eatplaylovefitness.com

Read more about out Eat Play Love adventures in our Editors’ Diary.

We admit that some of us have had fantasies of trapeze artistry after reading Water For Elephants, but thankfully, we just discovered a happy medium with anti-gravity yoga.

With the help of a hanging hammock, we can escape the tired old yoga mat and literally hover above it. You'd be surprised what kind of things our bodies can do when not bound to the ground. While we still get to keep our favourite yoga positions, like the re-imagined Downward Dog, we are also introduced to some new gems like the Cocoon, with the complete bliss of floating in the breeze, nothing but you and your hammock.

Why stand when you can float? —Anya Georgijevic

$240 for 6 weeks at Steve Nash Fitness World, 610 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-682-5213, www.stevenashfitnessclubs.com

Our Team Building Retreat ’04 t-shirt is no longer cutting it so we’ve tracked down some of the best new running gear. That way, even when our faces are flushed and our hair is dripping with sweat, we’ll look great. From the neck down at least.

Sugoi Versa Jacket

Is it a jacket or a vest? It’s both! Snap off the bolero-like sleeves and you’ve got a sleek running vest. $130, www.sugoi.com

Lululemon Mind Over Matter SL Tech Tank Top
Want to know a dirty little secret? This bright, frilly tank is woven with a stink-resistant silver fibre so you can re-wear it before washing (we won’t tell a soul). $52, www.lululemon.com

Forma ¾ Tights
These made-in-Canada leggings are that elegant three-quarter length that’s perfect for this three-quarter spring we seem to be having. $89.99, www.formaathletics.com

Nike Free Run 2+ Runners $125
No pedicure? No problem. These runners let you find your barefoot-like stride without actually having to run the seawall sans shoes. $125, www.nike.com

—KD

As January fitness resolutions turn into February reality, even the most motivated can use a little pink-me-up.

Joe Fresh Style's new 42-piece health and wellness collection, Jogi, comes in a peppy pink-and-grey palette and has plenty of pieces to keep us sweating till spring. For the all-around athlete, the cardio kit has push-up bars, weights and a jump rope ($25), while posers will love the non-slip hot yoga towel ($25) that goes over yoga mats to wick away moisture.

Although a cute workout ensemble is not included, it is just an aisle away.

At Real Canadian Superstore, www.superstore.ca

We’re still on a post-holiday tight pants embargo.

But if we’re going to fulfill our resolution to run a half marathon this year, we need to get our butt in gear.

Trading in our tight, tapered running tights, at least for the time being, we’re trying Lululemon’s more forgiving Resolution Pant. The loose but not too loose track pant has a moisture-wicking outer layer and a super soft inner lining, not to mention a safe place to stow the house key.

Pair the pants with its Resolution Long Sleeve ($78) in passion, a hue close to honeysuckle (Pantone’s colour of the year), and you’ve got an extra spring in your goal-setting step.

$108 at Lululemon Athletica, www.lululemon.com

Want to look slick in your spacesuit when NASA sends civilians to Mars?

Suit up in lululemon and find a space at the barre for Bar Method’s mix of yoga, Pilates and ballet. Long and lean muscle is built through small, low-impact strengthening movements that work the whole body. We knew it roused sleeping quads when we left our first class with wonderfully wobbly legs. Its location on Beatty Street is spacious and serene, with two studios softly carpeted and a lovely locker room with all the fixings to primp for the rest of your day.

I’m your Venus.

Bar Method, 837 Beatty St., Vancouver, 604-681-6188, http://vancouver.barmethod.com/

Joseph Pilates’ first clients were soldiers and ballerinas in need of rehabilitation. Technically we’re neither, but warring it out on the dance floor this weekend left us stiff and strained.

To get mobility back and feel balanced again, book a Pilates session at Gastown Physio & Pilates. Certified instructors offer private or duet sessions in a bright, brick room equipped with two top-of-the-line Reformers and and a clever piece of equipment that improves core strength, posture and balance called the CoreAlign, the first of its kind in Canada.

Lengthen then lavender latte (Café Medina is right next door) and you’ll be right as Kain.

From $75/60 minutes at Gastown Physio & Pilates, 306-560 Beatty St., Vancouver, 604-569-3891, www.gastownphysiopilates.com

In preparation for what’s called “seasonal lethargy,” bears put on 30 pounds of body fat a week. Heading into our own hibernation, the only bulk we care to 'bear' is chunky knitwear.

Keep the tush toned with a twice-weekly September session of Booty Camp. Located across the Lower Mainland, the girl only classes are lead by certified trainers and include fitness assessment and nutritional support on top of cardio and strength building circuit training. And enrollment comes a exercise DVD for doing on off-days.


We just finished four weeks and feel fit to bare arms beneath fall’s faux fur vests.

Camps ($159/4wks) start today and tomorrow in Yaletown, Fairview and North Vancouver, to sign-up visit www.bootycampfitness.com

Girls just wanna have fun, but when their gym kit makes them look like Little Miss Sunshine, you can bet they won't be turning cartwheels.

There's no sitting on the sidelines with Lilikiks, a Vancouver-based girls activewear line that has just launched its online store.

With on-trend colours, super-soft fabrics, and high-end technical detailing, styles like these will take them from tennis to track and back again.

She shoots, she scores!

Shop by sport or by style at their new e-store.

www.lilikiks.com

If you treat bikini season like a test (with dread and lots of cramming), then we’ve got the study group for you.

Shape up starts by enrolling in Survivor Bootcamp. The four-week intensives offer two, three or five day a week routine outdoor grinds in Canadian cities. Lead by very motivating instructors, they combine cardio and circuit training for trimming down and toning up. We’ll testify that they’re no walk in the park, but yield serious results.

And the high we had afterward felt better than scoring an A+.

From $190, find a location and sign-up at www.survivorbootcamp.com