Getting a Medical Tuneup

For some travelers, vacations provide a great excuse to abandon healthy eating and exercise habits. But others are using their hard-earned time off to invest in a “lifestyle changing” vacation, a kind of medical or fitness tuneup.

They’re traveling to facilities that promise to help them make a commitment to stop smoking, start exercising and begin eating more healthfully. During a one-week or longer stay, the focus is on medical or fitness testing, nutrition education and motivation to change unhealthy habits.

While spas focus on relaxation and amenities such as massages and facials, these residential centers focus on making lifestyle changes to improve medical conditions such as high blood pressure. Some also offer spa-type services such as massages and facials, but they’re not the focus.

None of these centers is cheap, but many have one-day pass options, and some have seasonal specials or “bring-a-friend” offers that reduce the cost by 20% or more. A sampling of what’s available, or what soon will be available:

At the Franklin Quest Institute of Fitness in Ivins, Utah, near St. George, “our mission is to help people make lifestyle changes,” said David Beck, general manager. Under the supervision of a nursing staff, a food scientist and an exercise physiologist, guests receive a fitness evaluation that measures cardiovascular functioning, strength, flexibility, endurance and body composition testing. Weight training, exercise classes, hikes, swimming, three meals a day and lectures also are included in the fees, which range from $695 a week for a quad room shared with four guests to $1,519 for a private room.

“We’re more of a fitness resort than a spa,” said Tami Clark, a Franklin Quest spokeswoman. Information: (800) 407-3002.

At Pritikin Longevity Center in Santa Monica and Miami Beach, Fla., residential programs range from one to three weeks, said Suzi Mettler, marketing manager. A one-week stay, including room, board and medical testing starts at $4,130. While program fees are rarely reimbursed by insurance, medical fees may be covered. Guests are age 55 and older, and often are executives who want to control heart disease risk, diabetes, high blood pressure and weight. Information: (800) 421-9911.

The Cooper Wellness Program at the Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas bills itself as “the fast-track approach to optimal health.” The program, developed by the renowned Dr. Kenneth Cooper (the “father of aerobics”), is aimed at those serious about fitness, health and rejuvenation, according to Leah Kay Gabriel, executive director of the program. A four-day wellness retreat is $1,995, including a personal training session, cooking classes, daily exercise sessions, stress management techniques, physical fitness assessment and workshops. Lodging is extra, ranging from $102 to $167 per night. Information: (800) 444-5192.

A Center for Well-Being is scheduled to open Dec. 1 within the established Aspen Club in Aspen, Colo., a health and racquetball facility that also has had a spa and a sports medicine institute since 1976. The Center for Well-Being will combine traditional and holistic health, said Michael Fox, president. To accommodate the new center, the Aspen facility is being expanded from its present 60,000 square feet to 77,000, Fox said.

A week’s stay will range from $1,500 to $3,500, including two meals but no lodging. Information: (970) 925-8900.

The Healthy Traveler appears twice a month.