Fit Lauderdale

Explore the Atlantic or the Intracoastal Waterway. Bike or walk along A1A. Hike the Everglades. Enjoy a workout or healthy fare at one of our four-star spas, or run February's beachfront marathon. Greater Fort Lauderdale is a panacea for healthy living - and anyone hoping to stay fit while enjoying a vacation getaway.

Enjoy 12 fun ways get fit, stay fit, and feel fit:  

1.   EXHALE.    Take a minute for yourself and enjoy these quick and easy breathing exercises that will put you in the right frame of mind for the day ahead. Release stress, experience deep peace and feel energized with free mini-meditations. http://meditatewithina.com/

2.   WALK OR HIKE FORT LAUDERDALE.    The Commit 2B Fit program is held in County parks as a program developed to increase the community's health - and educate walkers about city parks and amenities. The area is also home to many walking clubs. Nature and photography lovers can hike the Everglades or the natural preserves. Learn more at http://ci.ftlaud.fl.us/walk/index.htm

3.   BIKE BROWARD.    Two-wheel it with Broward County's Bike Broward and new B-Cycle bike sharing program. Some bikes come equipped with onboard GPS to track mileage, calories burned and carbon offsets. Beachfront bike rental vendors also can be found along A1A. Inquire or register online.

4.   FORE.   Year-round golf, from championship to executive courses, dot the landscape.

5.   EXPLORE OUR WATER SPORTS.    Distance swim, surf, skim board or paddle board along the Atlantic coast - or kayak or canoe the Atlantic, Intracoastal or Everglades. Most outfitters offer free lessons. For a change of pace, try yoga from atop a paddle board (FortLauderdalesup.com/yogaboarding).

6.   NAMASTE.    Relax, refresh, renew with yoga. Free yoga Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm at Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. (954) 732-0517.  Bonnet House Yoga Class in the Gardens, Wednesday at 8am. Cardio and pilates offered weekly too. Click for details.

7.   TENNIS ANYONE?    The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center, located in Fort Lauderdale's Holiday Park, near downtown, is one of the nation's finest public tennis facilities, where pros Chris Evert and Jennifer Capriati honed their games. Private lessons are available.

8.   DINE HEALTHY.    Fort Lauderdale features fare to excite the palate - and watch the weight. Portion-appropriate selections encourage healthy eating, and lighter fare - like a tapas bar - help stimulate conversation. Go vegan at Sublime, enjoy menu items under 500 calories at the newly open Energy Kitchen or under 475 calories at Seasons 52, or savor the freshest frusts from local farmers markets.

9.   BRING THE KIDS.    Fitness for all ages can be found in Fort Lauderdale. From tennis and golf, to bicycling, water sports, clubs, classes and healthy dining options, many age-appropriate health and fitness options are available. Call the facility or outfitter first to ask about age restrictions. Click for LauderKids

10.  USE YOUR GYM MEMBERSHIP.    Many national fitness clubs and gyms accept members at locations in other cities. Guests also can ask for or buy a temporary membership at an area club, or Zumba, strength/core training, yoga or Pilates studio. Fort Lauderdale hosts a variety of fitness, functional fitness, step and boot camps - some of which are held on the beachfront, putting a uniquely South Florida twist on your morning workout. 

11.  KICK UP YOUR HEELS.    From salsa lessons at a Latin-inspired club, to country-western dancing (Two Step, Cha Cha, East and West Coast Swing) at Round Up, to ballroom dancing at Goldcoast Ballroom, you can dance it up as the sun goes down. www.sunny.org/nightlife

12.  RUN (OR AT LEAST CHEER ON) THE FORT LAUDERDALE A1A MARATHON AND HALF-MARATHON:    Run along Las Olas Boulevard and the beachfront of State Road A1A in February. Learn more at A1AMarathon.com. The beach and downtown also have running clubs and frequent 5K and 10K events. Check SFRunningForum.com for a list of groups, runs and events.