Regime Change

Wellness Boot Camps Make for an Unusual Kind of Vacation.

“People today want a vacation with a purpose, something that makes them go home feeling better, looking better,” says Melissa Perlman, owner of Amansala, an eco-chic resort and fitness retreat in Tulum, Mexico. The resort’s six-day bikini boot camp is a Hollywood favorite for getting red carpet–ready. The exercise program mixes yoga, hardcore body sculpting, and cardio, with cave snorkeling, diving, and bike excursions to ancient Mayan ruins, as well as fresh organic meals and beachside massages. While weight loss is a common goal, the heart of the retreat is bringing beauty from the inside out. “Women tend to be very giving of themselves in their workplace and at home, so they come to us looking to recharge their batteries, to reconnect with themselves, to check in with their bodies, and to set new goals,” says Perlman.