Work out. Keeping the body beautiful

BATTERY INCLUDED

The Urban Mover mountain bike (UM36) with electrical assisted-power output guarantees that you won’t break a sweat, unless you want to. You can use it to zip around urban areas or even go off-road. If cycling is your primary form of exercising (turn that power assist off!), then you’ll be happy to know there’s a foldable version that’s very portable. The alloy bike weighs all of 22.5kg (the power pack itself is 4kg), charges fully in four hours and will go for 30km — more if the rider helps it along with some peddle power. Check www.urbanmover.com for stockists.

A BIRDIE ON BRIBIE

Swing your way to the brand new AU$11 million Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club, on the golf community of Bribie Island. This Troon Golf-managed resort features a golf course designed by world-renowned golf architect Ross Watson, plus plush country club amenities. There is a fully equipped gym for those who like to pound the treadmill and do free weights; a fitness room with surround-sound for yoga, pilates and aerobics; a spa and steam room for winding down; plus a lap pool. The golf course is designed along traditional Scottish links style and embraces the natural elements.

SWEAT IN SECLUSION
Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel

For those of us who aren’t into the mass exercise scene, or who just want to tumble out of bed onto the treadmill then into the shower, the Westin Workout room is heaven-sent. You can now book this particular category of room which comes equipped with exercise bikes, treadmills, dumbbells, exercise DVDs and fitness magazines, such as Bicycling and Runner’s World. Within the Asia-Pacific region you can work out to your heart’s content at both the Westin Melbourne and Westin Sydney, and the Grande Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok.

SURF’S UP!

The latest sensational addition to Dreamworld on Queensland’s Gold Coast is WhiteWater World. Although it’s a bit extravagant for a water-themed park to be built in a state where the beach stretches for thousands of kilometres, those who want to hone their surfing skills under controlled conditions can challenge the Cave of Waves with its guaranteed 1.5-metre waves. If you just want to get goofy, there are plenty of other hair-raising rides to make a splash with. Check out www.whitewaterworld.com.au

TAKE THE PLUNGE

Phuket is legendary as one of Asia’s top dive sites. With visibility up to 30m around the outlying islands, abundant sea life to gawk at and water temperatures hovering around 28°C, is it any wonder that many return time and again? H2O Sportz is a certified dive centre that specialises in small groups and both leisure and instructional dives. The dive season ends in April so you still have plenty of time to take in the Similan Islands, two hours by speedboat west off Phuket and part of Thailand’s national marine parks. Catch a glimpse of leopard sharks and turtles in the clear waters. A day dive costs AU$192. Find out more on www.diveh2osportz.com

Photo: Courtesy of Greenpeace