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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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Keeping Fitness in Mind – Vacation Exercise

by tacogirl 30/10/2015
written by tacogirl 30/10/2015
Belize vacation

I was recently contacted by Andi Swigart on the tacogirl.com Facebook page. She was looking for things to do in Belize and wanted to know if there was a gym on the island so her family could exercise while on vacation. I told her about the two gyms and decided to give her some good island-style options. Just as many people like to embrace local food and culture, embracing local exercise classes can be just as much fun – especially if you are coming from a cold climate.

Since I already had this post in the works, I asked Andi if she would not mind saying a few words about why vacation exercise was important.

Our family was overjoyed when my husband made the announcement we would be going on a Belize vacation for Christmas this year! As the date approaches, I have to say I’m a little anxious thinking about staying fit while we’re there. We have worked hard to get in shape and have embraced exercise and cleaner eating into our lives. Some of my friends, of course, roll their eyes when I mention this but it really is that important to me! After contacting tacogirl my mind is put at ease with all of the options of exercise and fitness that are available in Belize. From SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) to Pilates and aqua aerobics AND just knowing there are two fitness centers available we are so excited to embrace our holiday vacation knowing that we don’t have to bring unwanted pounds home! My special thanks to tacogirl, we can’t wait to get there and I doubt will want to leave!

Andi Swigart & family

I know Andi is not alone and there are people who like to exercise while on vacation. Denise visits San Pedro often and goes to the gym at the Phoenix regularly while here. After all who would not want to do something that makes you feel good? We all know if you don’t use it you lose it. I am a great example of that I am always using my loss of abs to motivate me back to class when I fall off the wagon for months at a time. Thankfully I have a fast bounce back. After just 6 Aquafit and Pilates classes, I am starting to see my obliques come in – now if I could only stop my Mexican cupcake addiction 😀

Here are more details and pricing for a few of my island fitness favorites that I mentioned to Andi.

Aqua Aerobics

Also known as aquafitness and a host of other names, this class provides not only a great workout but much laughter as well. Especially since teacher Lisa is back, she and class teacher Eileen are a dynamic duo of comedy.

The class is one hour long and starts and finishes with stretching (which most people do not do enough of) and works up to some good cardio and muscle toning. Cost $10 and classes run Tues, Thur and Sat from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Currently, the class is being held at Banana Beach Resort while the big pool is being finished (you will see pictures of both below). The word from John is that we will be back at our regular pool at the beginning of November. Watch Fun in the Sun Aquafit Classes Facebook page

Benefits of Exercising in Water

  • Depending on the exercise being done, multiple muscles are used at the same time or sometimes specific muscles are isolated.
  • Students are able to work at their own intensity level. If you want more cardio, double time on appropriate exercises will give it to you. Other exercises you might want to slow down to feel the burn.
  • Movements are slower and less jerky in the water, as a result, there is less chance of injury. This is an effective low impact way to exercise for people who have injuries they are trying to help heal.
  • The force and energy required to move through water improves muscle and cardiovascular endurance as well as develops muscle and bone strength.

If you want a chance to get that swimmers body you’ve always dreamed of and have fun in the process then this class is for you 😀

Belize Fitness

Stretching at the start of class

Belize vacation

Enjoying Banana Beach Resort pool while our regular one is getting re-tiled

Belize vacation

Teacher Eileen demonstrating techniques for the next exercise

Pilates Class

I know the students who have done both classes would agree, both Teacher Rose and Teacher Eileen are cut from the same cloth. Aside from being a very fun and funny teacher, Rose also makes sure to monitor her class well. She watches all of us and knows exactly who needs to adjust their workouts to their skill or pain level. Rose also plays great music while we work out. Yesterday’s mix was a great Halloween set – she included 2 of my favorites; the “Monster Mash” and “Thriller”.

Currently, the class is on Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:00 am and will be more than once a week in high season. The cost is $15 per individual class with multi-class packages are available.

Visit Zen Belize Facebook page to see what else is going on like their upcoming annual Holiday Bazaar.

Benefits of Pilates

  • Better balance
  • Increased flexibility
  • Improved muscle strength
  • Long lean muscle tone

More specifically Pilates works and strengthens the core muscles of your body: abdomen, lower back, hips, and butt. All great areas to work on.

Belize Fitness

Zen Arcade

Belize vacation

Treetop Excercise area

Belize Fitness

Eucalyptus cold cloth we get after class and stretch band we work out with sometimes

Stand Up Paddleboarding or SUP

Stand Up Paddle-boarding is an excellent overall workout and a great way to have fun on the Caribbean Sea with friends.

If you are able to paddleboard regularly where ever you live, it will tone and strengthen your shoulders, back, arms, abs, and legs. If you find it a bit hard on your legs and knees you can always switch to sitting or kneeling position. The other 2 exercises mentioned above will also help you do the same toning, should you be suffering through winter and not be able to SUP.

Benefits of SUP

  • Improves your balance
  • Great full-body workout
  • Good cardio workout
  • Relatively low impact

If you have time when you have finished your workout, lay down on your board and just take the time to relax and float for a few minutes. Breath deeply and release any tightness in your body. That actually feels amazing, with the water flowing gently around your body.

SUP with Belize Sailing School

Located at Caribbean Villas Hotel, this option offers you two choices.

  1. You can choose a regular hourly rental and play around right off the beach
  2. Mangrove safari tour has you paddle-boarding around the back (west) side of the island

To find out more about what option number 2 is like, read my write-up on the tour – Thankfully there was no tipsy taco.

Belize Fitness

Loading up the speedboat to go around the back (west) side of the island

Belize Fitness

Our boat captain Melvin and guide Audrius

Belize vacation

Mangrove safari paddleboard tour

Big SUP Paddleboards

This option is mere steps north of town in Boca Del Rio area on the beach; located at Chuck and Robbie’s Dive shop dock.

I recently did an hour here with friends and I found it quite enjoyable boarding between the docks, having races and watching beach and sea action.

The cost of the basic hourly rental is $15 USD per hour.

Belize vacation

Big SUP at Chuck and Robbie’s dive shop dock

Belize Fitness

Big SUP Beaver Boards

Belize Fitness

Heidi and I paddleboarding was taken by Kendall Beymer meanderingfool.com Belize Blog

Favorite Pool on the Island

Thanks to John a favorite pool on the island got the TLC it so badly needed. He worked hard to get the pool refinished and the water balance right. Aquafit class, while very thankful to have use of the Banana Beach pool for the last month and Coral Bay Villas before that, is super excited to get back to the San Pedro Fitness Center.

Recently I snuck in through Grand Baymen to snap a few pictures for you of our beloved pool. I say snuck as the regular entrance was blocked off while they redid the gym and pool. It was all I had heard it was and John’s crew did a fabulous job restoring the pool.

While I highly recommend it for guys and girls, you do not have to take a class to use the pool. Sometimes people even come out to lounge in the sun and watch us exercise 🙂

Click through to find out more about what is offered at the San Pedro Fitness Club.

Belize vacation

Passing through Grand Baymen Condominiums to get to the newly finished pool

Belize Fitness

View from the roof of the San Pedro Fitness Club

Belize Fitness

Refinished pool looks great – so clean and inviting

Belize Fitness

The gym building behind the pool great place for rooftop pics and watching planes land

Related

tacogirl

Laurie Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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Laurie was super helpful in providing places to eat, things to do and best yet had ongoing blogs that allowed us to... look back on other places that she pointed out. A fantastic resource for both first time and return visitors of Ambergris Caye!read more
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Fantastic service .I needed to find a place where I could buy a local sim card as my UK sim doesnt work in belize and... Tacogirl put me on the right path .Decided to walk across town and discovered so much more in beautiful San Pedro.Many thanks.BWread more
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We have been using TacoGirl for what feels like decades when planning our trips to Belize! It has only been a few... years but she is the first place we stop to see what is happening in our favorite vacation spot. She knows all the best spots to get away and do so many fun things - whether it is relaxing or exploring! We are planning our next trip with our twins and she was the first person I reached out to. Knowing we have a resource like her, makes trip planning a breeze!read more
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Found tacogirl while doing some research on an upcoming trip to Belize. This is the place for all the information you... need to plan your vacation. Incredibly helpful and responsive. I sent an email with lots of questions and received a very quick and detailed response that helped us finalize our plans.read more
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We have been following TacoGirl for years now and before booking any trip to San Pedro we check to see what is... currently happening. We love the emails to let us know when a new blog has been posted. Keep up the great work Laurie, we feel like we know you.read more
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I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
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Wanted to give a shout-out to tacogirl belize for helping us! She is a plethora of knowledge and was super helpful and... responsive in helping us find longer term stay on the island. Thank you so much for your help!read more
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I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
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I am very glad I found you and asked you a question about a spice in Belize. You helped me figure out the name of it... and where i could buy it. You went above and beyond to help. Thanks again.read more
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I am so grateful for the time and energy Laurie has taken to share about her experiences traveling to and living in... Belize as well as provide thorough recommendations for planning a trip there. I was so thankful (and honestly surprised) that Laurie took the time to respond to several of my questions via email. I highly recommend reading Laurie's blogs and helping to support her business. Thank you Laurie!!read more
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tacogirl was very nice to share her knowledge with us and assisted with planning our trip to Belize; thank you for the... help and info, it was helpful and allowed us to plan utilize our time accordingly while both on the mainland and islands of this great country.read more
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As a Canadian—tired of long winters—I cannot wait to spend some time in Belize. I haven't set foot yet, but I am... yearning for lots of Caribbean adventure. Thanks so much to tacogirl for her endless enthusiasm and generosity of spirit. She is a constant stream of up-to-date information. Her knowledge and love of the area is priceless, and I will need her expertise for future endeavours!read more
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We started coming to Ambergis Caye in 2014 and stumble on to Tacogirls blog, so glad we did! We used her 15% discount... at The Premier Duty-Free shop in the airport! It worked great all we did was let them know we read it on her blog . She has great information awesome pictures, we have tried several places she has recommended, all were amazing. Highly recommend reading her blog. Kathleenread more
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It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
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I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
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I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
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Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton!I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
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Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
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I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
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KellyDivePhotography
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I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
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I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
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Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
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Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
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Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation. If you have any questions or want Belize help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age. Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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