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I survived a wellness retreat at Conrad Tulum

There are many ways to spend the summer—lounging by the pool, sipping something fruity, or, as in my case, finding out how much sweat you can produce when you train harder than you have in years. Let me step back. I was invited to a three-day wellness retreat at Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, where I envisioned a relaxing getaway with some yoga poses and sipping green juice in a cabana. What I didn't expect was to come face to face with my inner cycling goddess. I left the resort feeling like I had not only survived, but thrived.

The weekend was a wellness-focused boot camp with fitness classes led by Rodé Cycle Playa del Carmen. Admittedly, I hadn't trained this hard since the pre-pandemic days, but I decided to dive in headfirst. By the end, I wasn't sure if I had found my zen or just a new level of exhaustion. Either way I did it. More about the experience below.

Day one: It's like riding a bike

I arrived at the stunning Conrad Tulum Resort on a sunny Friday afternoon. The hotel had a beach view that made you want to cancel all plans and relax by the water. But that wasn't the reason I was there. The weekend's wellness retreat began with vision boards, a waterfront intention ceremony, and the first of many spin sessions. It took a few minutes before I could turn my legs again, but once I was on the bike, the music and the instructor immediately gave me a boost.

These classes weren't just about cardio; They were full-body experiences with trainers that pushed us to our limits. With the blaring music and motivational sayings from the lecturers, it was impossible not to get carried away by the energy in the room. My legs and lungs were burning, and I was convinced I had sweated off at least five pounds of pure regret from skipping the gym for so long.

After class, I was hooked – and had the freedom to relax in the luxurious resort and enjoy everything it had to offer. The thought of repeating this the next day and starting an early yoga practice had me in bed early, but happy to lean into it.

Day Two: Fitness Beast Mode, Zen Mode and everything in between

The second day was more intense than the first. We started the morning with sunrise yoga and the opportunity to connect with the other participants. After the relaxing session, it was back to spinning. I've never been so proud of my endurance.

After going through the power, the sound healing and breathing exercises I performed were a much-needed balm for my body and soul. I lay on a mat as sound waves from gongs and bowls echoed through the room. For the first time in forever, I felt truly present. The lingering fear that often takes up space in my mind subsided as I focused on my breathing. I had flipped a switch from beast mode to zen mode.

Day Three: Survive and Thrive

By day three, I was equal parts sore and pleased with myself for making it through the past few days. We had one last spin class that morning, and even though my body was still tired, something inside me had changed.

Instead of focusing on my pain, I became excited. I wasn't the fastest or the strongest in the room, but I was proud that I didn't give up. This time the ride felt smoother and more rhythmic. At some point I closed my eyes and let the music and the pedaling take over. It was the kind of release I didn't know I needed – a reminder that I could work hard and still enjoy the process. By the time we finished the course, I felt like I had conquered something far greater than just a spin bike.

Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya Casitas, where massages continue your relaxing journey.

And what better way to reward myself than with a one-hour massage at Conrad Spa Tulum? The spa was a sanctuary – lush, tranquil and steeped in ancient Mexican herbal traditions. It was a peaceful getaway that contrasted sharply with the sweaty seaside workouts I'd been doing. This final massage was the perfect end to the weekend. My therapist was exceptional, combining traditional herbal techniques with deep tissue work that melted the soreness in every muscle in my body. The herbal oils smelled heavenly and felt even better. My muscles that had been tense and tense for days finally felt loose and relaxed.

The massage experience combines natural healing elements and oils, peelings and ointments made from garden herbs.

As I lay on the massage table, I thought about how quickly the body can acclimatize again. I had been inactive for too long, but returning to an active routine was like riding a bike (pun intended) – everything came back on its own. It wasn't just about fitness, mindfulness or even spa treatments; It was about rediscovering parts of myself that I didn't know I had lost. The marathon runner and workout lover in me hadn't disappeared – she'd just taken a long nap.

Sweat, calm down, repeat

I won't lie; This wellness vacation was intense. There were moments when I wasn't sure I could do another squat or hold the plank on the spin bike any longer. But in the end, I felt more connected to my body than I had in years. The mix of challenging fitness and restful wellbeing was the fresh start I needed.

Would I return to Conrad Tulum for another fitness and wellness vacation? Absolutely. Not only did I push myself beyond what I thought possible, but I also found unexpected peace in the process. And finally, a soothing massage? When they say all-encompassing, they mean mind, body and soul.

Interested? Conrad Tulum will be hosting another wellness retreat from November 29th to December 1st. Trust me, you won't regret signing up.

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