By Christine Hassler
After hitting a workout rut, my husband and I signed up for the “Pinnacle Challenge,” a three-day fitness excursion in Palm Springs, California, which combines a rigorous exercise regimen with renewing modalities like yoga and massage. The private accommodations at the Desert House Inn, a vintage six-suite hotel nestled along the Indian Canyon mountain range, as well as the organic, vegetarian organic cuisine appealed to our desire for a healthy, yet comfortable getaway.
We arrived to find two T-shirts in our room that read, “I survived the Pinnacle” along with an agenda jam-packed with yoga, hiking, swimming, more yoga, and weight training. I looked at my husband with trepidation and thought, “What we are we in for?”
Robin Sullivan, founder of the Pinnacle Challenge, greeted us and introduced L.A.-based celebrity trainers, Meredith Miller and Lisa Austin, who would be our enthusiastic fitness guides and gurus. They explained the high-intensity, calorie-burning activities coupled with strength building would reduce body fat and build endurance. Yoga would be integral to promote flexibility, calm the mind, and restore the body. They warned us we may be sore because we’d be challenging our bodies in new ways, but assured us that we would be rewarded each day with deep tissue therapeutic massages in our room.
Each daily challenge began at 5:30 a.m. with a gentle morning yoga class in the outdoor pavilion. After getting grounded, fueling up with protein smoothies and oatmeal, and filling up our camelbacks (a must have), we were driven to our morning hike.
The Pinnacle Challenge consists of one hike per day, ranging from five to eleven miles, all unique in topography, scenery, and temperature. Our motivating, yet, nurturing trainers were there each power-step of the way to lend encouragement, support, and a helping hand over treacherous terrain.
After each hike, we dipped into the saltwater pool at the hotel for water aerobics. Next, we had an hour for lunch before the outdoor circuit-training class, which consisted of creative body weight resistance exercises and group fitness drills. (Think lateral rows with resistance bands tied to trees and relay games with medicine balls.)
Then it was back to our second yoga class of the day – a blend of strong vinyasa flow and deep stretching to soulful music. Each night was capped off by a peaceful dinner and educational talks on such topics as meditation and working out within your target heart rate zone.
The Pinnacle Challenge pushed us to our limits; and did we survive? Heck yeah – and it felt great. We were challenged to do things we had never done before with the support of experienced trainers and amenities that made getting out of our comfort zone as comfortable as possible.For more information visit www.thepinnaclechallenge.com.
Jan/Feb 2008
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