The major difference between fitness in Michigan and Costa Rica is the amount of time you can spend outside. Michigan is very cold in the Winter and therefore, I spent about nine months of the year forced to exercise in a gym instead of spending time outside biking, running, or walking. Once I moved to Costa Rica, many new fitness opportunities became available, I live near the ocean, the mountains, and the jungle so I can participate in a variety of fitness activities.
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When I arrived in Costa Rica, I knew my town had two gym choices, Platinum Gym and Beach Body Gym. I checked out both gyms and initially chose Platinum, as it has air conditioning and Jaco can hit 95 degrees in temperature during the dry season.
I worked out at Platinum for many years until I switched to Beach Body. I switched to Beach Body as Platinum became overcrowded and filled with people more concerned with taking selfies than working out. Beach Body Gym is a more serious weight lifting gym and has more fitness classes available.
Jaco now has many other gyms, including George Angulo Fitness and Susetty Tabash Fitness Studio. Beach Body and Platinum are on average about $40 per month. Both gyms have people on staff you can hire for personal training for an additional cost. Both gyms also have fitness classes you can take at no additional charge. My suggestion is to not use the trainers the gym offers and to hire an outside trainer. In my opinion, the trainers on staff at the gym don't appear to be properly trained. The trainer I recommend to everyone is a man that goes by the name Speedy. He is from the USA and has the proper training to help anyone. Contact him if interested at 6111-2856 or find him on Facebook.
Susetty Tabash Fitness Studio has taken the gym experience and elevated it to another level. You can take group classes or you can also get one-on-one personal training and nutritional advice. The personal training sessions are very intense and require a commitment and dedication to your fitness journey but if you do what Susetty tells you, you will reach your fitness goals.
The group classes are one hour long and are an intense combination of interval cardio and weight training. This studio is located in Jaco Walk. Contact the Studio to find a plan for your fitness journey and ask about cost.
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Surfing in Costa Rica is a huge sport. A friend of mine from Michigan came to visit Costa Rica and wanted to take a surfing lesson. We hired The Surfer Factory and instructor, Andres, to take us out on the water. I was nervous initially, but absolutely loved my lesson and being in the water. I stood up on the board almost every time and took various lessons after that date as well as from another company called Tico Surf Lessons.
I highly suggest taking lessons if you are interested. Another option in the water is SUP, or standup paddling boarding. I took a lesson for this from The Surfer Factory as well at Playa Herradura. This sport was fun as well but I would suggest only learning on a calm beach like Playa Herradura or Playa Agujas. Lessons for surfing can vary in price based on company and instructor but are on average $40 per lesson.
After moving to Costa Rica, my absolute favorite workout became hiking. I had never had the opportunity to hike mountains and huge hills in Michigan and they are everywhere in Costa Rica.
Miro Mountain, a local fitness hotspot in Jaco, became the first place I hiked on a regular basis. The location is popular with locals and tourists as once you reach the top, you can explore an abandoned hotel/restaurant project that now contains amazing graffiti and art created by local artists. The views from Miro Mountain are phenomenal. The hike to the abandoned building is about three-quarters of a mile uphill. For those that want to continue, you can walk another mile on a beautiful jungle path. The path ends at a fork in the road. To the right, you can hike down to Playa Hermosa. To the left, is a path to even more spectacular views of Playa Hermosa and Playa Jaco. The views aren't all you see on this walk. I have seen three kinds of monkeys on this trail, as well as agouti, coati, and many different kinds of birds. This activity is free of charge. After hiking Miro, I started exploring many other hiking trails around Jaco, Hermosa, and Tarcoles. Hiking is free and one of the best forms of exercise.
After being in Costa Rica a short time, a friend of mine talked me into trying a yoga class. I never was interested in yoga while living in Michigan. I thought yoga was all chanting and I would not enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong. I took an introductory class and then jumped right into the yoga scene in Jaco. I started with classes at Aurora Yoga, which is the only studio in Jaco that has consistently been in business since I arrived. I learned while taking yoga classes that not only is yoga an amazing and difficult workout but it also teaches you proper breathing. Classes at Aurora are $10 for a drop-in visit but it also has packages you can buy weekly or monthly at a discounted rate.
There are many amazing yoga teachers in the Jaco area who teach at various local hotels, at their homes, or privately at your home. Contact Catalina, Alejandra, Fran, or Jennifer. All four of these teachers are well trained and professional.
Once Covid-19 hit the country, many gyms were forced to temporarily close. This is when I decided to build my own home gym. I turned my bodega and former carport into a personal gym facility. Finding fitness equipment during Covid was a challenge. Finding well-priced fitness equipment in Costa Rica during Covid was almost impossible. I started buying one piece at a time and going all over the country to purchase items off Facebook Marketplace. However, the end result was me having my own private home gym that rivals those in town and is free for me to use. If you have space at your house, this is a great option.
I have listed many fitness options available in my area of Costa Rica. There are many more options available depending on where you live in Costa Rica. There is no need to worry about your fitness goals in Costa Rica as they are easily obtainable living here in Paradise.
