Women's Fitness and Wellness Weekend at Horseshoe Resort, Ontario

The weekend starts Friday between 5pm and 7pm with check-in at Horseshoe Resort. Orientation begins at 7pm, then there is a fitness class and workshop that finishes around 9:30pm. Saturday is the big day: classes run from 7:30am to 5pm, covering FIT CHICKS bootcamp sessions like "I Heart Tabatas", "8 Steps to Fabulousness" and "The Dirty 30", plus Zumba and a "crunchless" core class. The FIT CHICKS Challenge, a 2.5-hour team fitness scavenger hunt with obstacles and health trivia, happens outdoors. Saturday dinner is the 80s Dinner Party at 7pm. Sunday starts at 7am with a guided hike led by Laura, followed by more classes until 10:30am and a celebration brunch until about 12:30pm.

What sets this apart from a standard hotel fitness weekend is the FIT CHICKS format. Everything is run by co-founders Laura Jackson and Amanda Quinn, who host the Rogers TV series "Shape Up with FIT CHICKS" and were due to appear on season 9 of CBC's "Dragon's Den". Laura is a certified culinary nutrition expert and was a 2015 Top 3 Fitness Professional in Canada; Amanda is a certified Ashtanga teacher. They teach the nutrition and meditation workshops themselves.

The food is buffet and brunch style, except for the Saturday 80s dinner. Meals use fresh, local ingredients. Nutrition workshops cover using food for muscle and weight loss, the "Complete in 3" approach, and healthy recipes with five ingredients or fewer. You also get recipe and workout takeaways to use at home.

Horseshoe Resort is in Barrie, Ontario, about an hour and a half north of Toronto. The resort has trails for the guided hike and space for outdoor classes; if the weather turns, outdoor sessions move to "The Coop". Rooms are standard unless you pay for an upgrade. Parking is included.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation and parking - All FIT CHICKS approved meals: Saturday breakfast, lunch buffet, 80s dinner party, and Sunday brunch - Zumba Fitness party with healthy appetizers and mocktail - Participation in the FIT CHICKS Fitness Challenge - All fitness classes including FIT CHICKS Bootcamp, Zumba, and yoga - Guided hikes (Sunday morning) - 2 nutrition/wellness workshops - 1 yoga/meditation workshop - Recipe and workout takeaways

What's not included

- Travel to and from the resort - Additional activities, spa, or excursions - Gratuities (tips at your discretion) - Personal expenses including incidentals - Alcoholic beverages not included in the retreat - Service fee, resort fee, and applicable taxes