Getting residents motivated : Guided group hikes in the North Carolina ' s Blue Ridge Mountains are among the activities offered at The Cliffs Communities . The Cliffs CommunitiesSecond homes : A new way to focus on health and fitness 제 2 의 가정 : 건강 과 운동 에 집중 키 위한 새로운 방법 By Larry Olmsted , Special for USA TODAYFor those who feel that a week - long visit to a spa isn ' t enough , wellness resorts that combine pampering with fitness and education regimens , as well as medical testing , have flourished . Among those that have made the move from vacation to vacation home include veterans such as Canyon Ranch , Miraval , the Golden Door and the Cooper Aerobics Institute , along with many newcomers . What differentiates these from traditional fitness centers are dedicated facilities beyond tennis courts , such as elaborate trail networks , pools , medical facilities and even organic farms . The biggest selling point is the vast slate of classes and activities , from motivational group hikes and runs to daily yoga and Pilates classes , often at all hours . There are usually health lectures and demonstrations , and many employ nutritionists and other experts . ARCHIVE : Find more second - home destinations " Our communities have wellness as a core value in amenities and services , " says Jamie Prince , spokeswoman for the Cliffs Communities , the nation ' s largest such undertaking , with eight developments along the North and South Carolina border . Four advanced wellness centers have been completed , with a 30 - mile " supertrail " hiking system , plus their own organic farm and a partnership with Wake Forest University Medical Center . " We are striving to be the healthiest place in America and have invested an enormous amount of resources in that goal , " Prince says . Fitness specialist Kenneth Cooper ' s renowned Dallas longevity center recently opened a satellite facility in the Vermont residential ski community Spruce Peak at Stowe . In Westlake Village , Calif . , residents can visit the California Health & Longevity Institute , which offers a large staff of doctors , dieticians and fitness specialists . Miraval in Tucson recently added homes — and opened a wellness apartment building in New York City . Enchantment in Sedona , Ariz . , has homes and condos and is adding villas , plus a second location at Mexico ' s Punta Mita golf resort . Canyon Ranch offers residences in Tucson , Miami and Lenox , Mass .