Getting ready for when you can come back to Panama City Beach? As you prepare for your beach vacay filled with great seafood and sun, here are some strategies to help keep you “fit and functional” while you kick back with some “rest and relaxation” once you're back on our sandy white beaches.
Panama City Beach offers an abundance of activities to fill any vacation itinerary — but it also provides many opportunities to maintain your healthy lifestyle as you take a break from work and your life. Aside from the simplest pleasure of long walks along gorgeous sugar- white beaches, there’s a few ways to keep you feeling physically inspired.
BICYCLING
What’s the best thing about biking around Panama City Beach? The land is almost perfectly flat, so anybody can enjoy biking here.
Feeling a bit strung out after a few days of commuting back and forth between the beach? Biking around the Panama City Beach is a great way to explore and see things that just fly by in a blur when you are in a car. Add a little pedal power to your beach excursion and burn a few calories while you tick off some of the most popular sites along Panama City Beach.
There are too many rental outlets to count, but a quick visit to VisitPanamaCityBeach.com will help you find places such as Barley’s Bike Rentals and Bike the Beach PCB, where they can take care of finding the best ride for you or your family. They will set you up with helmets, locks, sunscreen and other essentials. You can rent your gear for as long as you want — from a couple hours to several weeks.
Pro tip: Biking is also a great way to tire out the kids. Just saying.
KAYAKS, CANOES AND BOARDS (PLUS YOGA)
Done with land excursions and want to get out on the water? Renting a kayak or canoe in PCB is as easy as renting a bike. Spend some time alone with nature and get a look at the parts of Panama City Beach that most rarely see when you take off on your favorite self-powered water craft.
Stretch your arms as you take a kayak or canoe on the emerald gulf waters
or sit back for a trip through some of the off-the-beaten-path waterways, lagoons and lakes. There’s also stand up paddleboarding (or SUP), which has surged in popularity and is a unique way to explore local waters.
Miss your weekly yoga routine? Panama City Beach also has paddleboard yoga, yoga on the beach and aerial yoga to help you find your center while on a whirlwind vacation.
VisitPanamaCityBeach.com can point you toward local trainers and vendors that will help set you up, help you select the right equipment and give you tips on how to use the gear properly. With watercraft, most vendors are happy to deliver and pick them up — and some even offer shuttle services so you can make your paddle journey one-way.
Call ahead or just stop in. Like all the businesses along the coast, the atmosphere is friendly and helpful.
VOLLEYBALL
If you need something more competitive than beach yoga, beach volleyball has grown in popularity for both participants and spectators. Like most beach destinations, Panama City Beach is loaded with places to show your best Olympic form.
Work off that big lunch with an afternoon at the net with friends or a pick-up game with the family. On the beach, places such as Schooners, Sharky’s and Hook’d Pier Bar offer pickup games where you can work up a thirst or just watch the action.
Many of the resorts in the area provide multiple courts for guests to unwind with a little friendly sportsmanship. For extended stay guests, there are several league options to choose from.
FITNESS CLUBS AND CLASSES
Getting away from the same old routine is part of the charm of a vacation. But you might want to maintain your regular fitness practice at one of the area’s 20-plus fitness centers, including some national chains where your home membership might apply. Ask your gym to see if there is a partner facility here you can use.
You will also find specialized fitness regimens, like martial arts academies offering everything from karate and aikido to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Class levels range from beginner to black belt, so check ahead to find the right class for you and your family.
For those leaning toward a more sedate exertion, there are dozens of nearby options for every kind of yoga imaginable. Call ahead to find the place that suits you best.
Not only will participating in these fun activities make your vacation more active and healthy, it will create some great memories for you and your family and have you exploring the wonderful world that is the Real.Fun.Beach!
