Can Sin City also be Fit City? Las Vegas is known as a land of excess, where food and drink are available at every turn. Las Vegas has something for everyone, though, and that includes those who want to squeeze in a workout between drinks and poker hands.
Get Off the Strip
The scenic vistas of Red Rock Canyon are just a short drive from the Las Vegas strip. While it may seem like a bit of a hassle to drive 20 miles out of town, the views are worth the effort. In Red Rock Canyon State Park you can hike one of several trails, all rated by difficulty. You can choose a casual stroll through the beautiful landscape or a more challenging hike through the hills. The vivid colors and spectacular rock formations provide a nice respite from the neon lights of The Strip.
If hiking isn’t your thing, try a bike tour of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Your ride will take you through the Mojave Desert along a historic railroad trail. On the way, you will see the world’s largest man-made lake, Lake Mead, and the iconic Hoover Dam. Keep an eye out for local wildlife as well. You may see a desert tortoise or bighorn sheep if you are lucky!
Try a Unique Fitness Experience
Las Vegas bills itself as a first-rate entertainment destination, and that desire to have something for everyone doesn’t just apply to restaurants and shows. Only in Vegas can you do yoga with dolphins, swim with sharks, or take a burlesque class. The Aria hotel and casino even offers its own trainer-guided hike through the hotel, complete with strength training exercises. Don’t be surprised to see a group of like minded guests doing push ups in the lobby!
Go for an Early Morning Run
If you are an early bird (or stuck on East Coast time), try taking an early morning jog down the strip. The early morning hours are quiet and the temperatures are cooler. The sites and sounds of the strip, combined with interesting people watching, will keep you from getting bored. The sidewalks are wide and the plentiful pedestrian crosswalks mean you don’t get caught waiting for traffic lights, though all those stairs add a bit of cross training to your workout. If you are near the south end of the strip you can even run towards the famed Vegas sign and snap a quick photo before the rest of the city has had a cup of coffee.
Check out the Hotel Gym
That expensive “resort fee” you pay at every hotel on the strip? It usually includes use of a state-of-the-art fitness facility. If you are looking to do a bit more of an arm workout than pulling the lever on a slot machine provides, these gyms have the requisite weights and cardio equipment. Many resort fitness centers also offer classes and other experiences you won’t find in your average hotel gym. The Canyon Ranch Spa Club at the Venetian, for example, has a 40-foot rock climbing wall and an “Igloo” spa that shoots out a chilly mist to cool you down post workout. The thoroughly modern gym at the Cosmopolitan features a full-sized boxing ring, a glass yoga/Pilates studio and a Kinesis Wall offering zero impact exercises.
As you can see, there is no shortage of ways to keep up your workout routine while in Las Vegas. The options are endless if you know where to look!
