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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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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 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 for and technique 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. 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 basic hourly rental is $15 USD per hour. Click through to Big SUP Belize website for other pricing options and more info.

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

Laure 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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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
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
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
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
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
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
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
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
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
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
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
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
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
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
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
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
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
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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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

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 discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 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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