Healthy Living, Fitness

Top 10 Healthiest Master-Planned Communities in the Southeast

Healthiest Communities
Published on August 26, 2014

Baby Boomers have become a generation that chooses wellness and fitness over a sedentary lifestyle in hopes to stop the clock of aging and to feel their best. When health-oriented people the best active adult communities in the south, it's common to find them expecting the ultimate in fitness equipment and wellness programs when it comes to a community fitness center in a neighborhood and active adult communities.

Today's fitness facilities encompass more than just cardio and weight machines of yesteryear and now include amenities that go above and beyond the norm offering not just the traditional but elaborate all inclusive spa services, a wide array of fitness classes and even massage, steam rooms, juice bars and personal training to complete the package.  Class offerings range from the trendy Zumba, which is a latin-based dance class which incorporates moves that not only to work the heart but tone the body as well. 

Another new class offered in many of the community fitness centers is the "Barre" class which utilizes ballet strengthening exercises for a complete body workout.  For those looking to relieve stress and increase flexibility and strength, opt for a Yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi class which incorporates multiple disciplines and is a nice alternative to traditional fitness classes. Low-impact and aquatics classes also are user friendly and provide a great alternative to cardio machines.

For those looking for something a bit more aggressive, Bootcamp classes have come on the scene which use raw strength exercises. Spinning is another high intensity indoor biking class and can burn up to 1000 calories an hour.  Other classes Community Finder observes are "Ballroom Aerobics" and "Aqua Men" which provide a fun and different resource for keeping fit and are offered at some of the best places to retire in the Southeast.

To aid in the search of where to retire at the healthiest communities, Community Finder has compiled a Top 10 Healthiest Master-Planned Communities in the Southeast list, community's where we've observed a concentrated emphasis on wellness and large participation.

FLORIDA:

The Beach and Golf Club at Miromar Lakes offers a Fitness Center and Spa which includes  "top rated" exercise equipment along with aerobic, yoga and Pilates studios with a wide array of classes offered daily.  After a workout, check out the many amenities available at the Spa.  A nice therapeutic massage, facial or body wrap is a great way to end your workout.  Also check out Miromar Lakes' Zen garden for the ultimate in relaxation in one of healthiest cities to live in Florida.

The Players Club and Spa at the Lely Resort in Naples boasts a 3,600 square foot fitness center offering the latest in fitness equipment and group exercise classes. Their amazing Spa offers a full array of pampering services and also has a partnership with The Laser Lounge Medical Spa for more advanced treatments.  They offer a wide selection of fitness classes including Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, and aquatic classes.  The services of a personal trainer are also offered for those who desire "one-on-one" attention.  The Lely Resort in Naples is another one of the best places to retire in the South.

GEORGIA:

The Big Canoe Fitness Center in Jasper has a top notch 13,000 square foot facility that offers state-of-the-art cardio and strength machines, an aerobics studio, whirlpool, sauna, racquetball/squash courts, indoor tennis courts and pool. They also offer a wide selection of fitness classes that are geared to all fitness levels.  Whether its Boot Camp, Pilates, H2O Aerobics, Tai Chi, Yoga, Zumba or TBC (Total Body Conditioning), folks will never run out of options while attaining fitness goals at Big Canoe.

The Lake Club at Reynolds Plantation at Lake Oconee has an award winning 38,000 square foot community fitness center, an aerobics studio, indoor pool, whirlpool spa, massage treatment facilities and even a ballroom!  Overlooking relaxing views of Lake Oconee, residents here can enjoy a variety of fitness classes ranging from yoga to strength training as classes are offered weekly. Certified Personal trainers are also available for private sessions. After working out, residents can opt for a relaxing massage or perhaps a nice healthy lunch at the café.

SOUTH CAROLINA:

The Lake House Fitness & Wellness Center at Seabrook Island  offers a 26,000 square foot community fitness center featuring top of the line exercise equipment including a wide variety of cardio and strength machines, a 5-lane swimming pool, free weights, and group fitness classes.  Property owners can enjoy a Pilates class or aquatics class or choose the assistance of a personal trainer to attain their fitness goals.  This gated beach community is located about an hour from downtown Charleston and stands out as one of the best choices in selecting a beach vacation or second home.

The Cliffs Valley Wellness Center in the Greenville area is a 15,000 square foot community fitness center offering a complete collection of exercise equipment , a group fitness studio, a heated indoor lap pool, full basketball court and even an outdoor sand volleyball court.  In addition, spa services are offered including facials, massages, reiki and more.  Other wellness services include personal training, body assessments, and nutrition and lifestyle counseling.  The property is also surrounded by hiking, biking and walking trails for additional exercise options. Living here will insure aging gracefully while having fun in one of the healthiest cities to live in the South Carolina.  

NORTH CAROLINA:

The Fitness & Wellness Center at the Brunswick Forest in Wilmington, North Carolina is yet another "must see" community fitness center.  This amazing property features an 18,000 square foot facility offering over 25 fitness classes a week.  One of the latest trends "Barre" classes are offered and use the principles of ballet strength training for a gentler yet highly effective workout.  Spinning, Zumba, senior strength, pilates, yoga and tai chi and just some of the offerings at Brunswick Forest. Personal training is also offered as well as a complimentary fitness assessment for residents. Amenities are in addition to the miles and miles of walking trails throughout the coastal community.

The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Asheville on the Southern most edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, provides an 18,000 square foot Wellness Center featuring the ultimate in modern fitness equipment, an aerobics studio and fitness classes, a 2-lane heated lap pool and a functional fitness room which features a TRUE stretching machine to improve flexibility.  Personal training, nutrition and lifestyle consultations as well as sports performance programs are also offered by their highly trained and certified staff.  Spa services are also available here. Facials, massages, reiki and many more services can be found at this "resort-style" community fitness center.

TENNESSEE:

The Tellico Village Wellness Center located in Loudon has a 27,000 square foot Wellness Center offering a wide selection of the most exclusive cardiovascular and strength machines available. In Tennessee, this is one of the best places to retire. Imagine gazing over the Smokey Mountains during a work out in this state-of-the-art facility which offers a wide variety of fitness classes, a 6-lane indoor pool, an exercise room,  an indoor walking track and four Har-Tru tennis courts. Residents at Tellico Village enjoy a wide array of classes  including dance, yoga, Tai Chi and more. Saunas and a therapeutic pool are also available for those "post workout" relaxation sessions.  

Fairfield Glade Community Center in Crossville also offers its residents many exercise options. The classes offered at this community fitness center are quite impressive and creative geared to folks over age 50. Through its affiliation with Cumberland Medical Center, a highly trained staff of professionals are available to ensure folks meet their fitness goals. Ballroom Aerobics, "Glade-iators", Zumba, Step Aerobics, Quickfit Core, and "Intro to Tai Chi" are just a few of the options for getting fit at Fairfield Glade.  Aquatics classes such as "Wake Up", "H2Ology" and "Aqua Men" make this facility unique.  If you're looking for active adult communities in Middle Tennessee, stop in and see Fairfield Glade.

With Community Finder's eye now on almost 400 communities, the "Top 10 Healthiest Master-Planned Communities in the Southeast" list is a benchmark of what to look for in wellness and fitness amenities in a community and can be especially helpful to those who are searching for the best places to retire.