If we had to pick our spirit animal, it would be the honeybadger, obviously. If we had to pick a spirit destination, Hawaii takes the cake. Known for lush landscapes and tranquil blue waters, the islands of Hawaii each have their own unique way of bringing out the fitness fanatic and free spirit in us all. It is practically impossible not to feel inspired to get outside and get moving when you’re there – and it certainly helps that the official workout uniform in Hawaii is basically a bikini, board shorts, and sandy sea-salt hair (effortless + beachy = winning). Check out our favorite ways to work off those pina coladas and tone up your tanned tushies while in the Aloha State.
Kaui:
Hike the Napali Coast aka The Kalalau Trail
I did this hike a month prior to my wedding not really knowing what I was getting myself into. My super outdoorsy fiancé downplayed – in typical dude fashion- the difficulty of the terrain and the amount of time it would take to get to the beach where we would camp. This challenging and sometimes, well, honestly terrifying (the cliffs are no joke!) 22-mile trail is well worth it for the adventure, out-of-this-world beauty, and the effect it has on your body. When we returned to our hotel the next day, I felt like a lean mean muscle-y badass, plus it helped propel my fitness goals just in time for our walk down the aisle.
Kayaking is an adventurous exercise great for your core, arms, back, shoulders, and heart. Gliding thru the rushing waters of the Wailua River surrounded by jagged mountains and verdant jungle really takes this experience to the next level. Adding to the thrill is the fact that this particular area of Kaui looks just like Jurassic Park (it was filmed there!), so I expected to see a T Rex around every bend.
Maui:
Windsurf on Maui’s North Shore
Dubbed the Windsurfing Capital of The World, Maui’s North shore is the ideal spot to learn a new sport while getting an effective full body workout. Lessons are offered at every skill level, and what better way to feel the WIND in your hair and the SURF splashing on your face than…you guessed it… SURFING the WIND. Because you’re traveling up-to an exhilarating 20 miles per hour on your windsurf, you’ll forget you’re even working out.
Oahu:
Oahu, specifically Waikiki, is an amazing place to try stand up paddle or surfing because of the long, gentle waves common on many of their beaches. We’ve tried both there and fell in love, but wanted to suggest a fun, slightly more unexpected physical activity that also celebrates Hawaiian culture – hula dancing! Anyone who mastered hula hooping back in elementary school (me, thankyouverymuch) knows how engaged your core has to be and hula dancing challenges those same muscles.
The Big Island:
Trekking Volcanoes National Park
This park is the home of Kilauea Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes on earth, where you’ll find 150 miles of trails through volcanic craters, scalded deserts, and lava tubes. We suggest doing the day hike through the volcanic fields to witness the lava dropping into the ocean. Seriously. #mindblown.
