Scouted Products are independently selected and if you buy something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.
As an aspiring wellness enthusiast, I was very excited when I got the opportunity to stay at Canyon Ranch, the original wellness resort. I was invited to stay at Canyon Ranch’s original location in Tucson, Arizona. Sure, there are plenty of luxury hotels in the area that offer great spa and fitness options, but Canyon Ranch’s approach to wellness is far More inclusive than its competitors, it embraces mental, physical and spiritual practices to ensure guests have a truly transformational and, for some, healing experience — this is not a resort with upgraded fitness and spa amenities, but a complete (and customizable) retreat.
Inspired by his own weight-loss journey, land developer Mel Zuckerman opened Canyon Ranch as a “vacation fitness resort” on a former dude ranch. The idea of a wellness resort was unheard of at the time. But 50 years later, Canyon Ranch is still a global brand and a source of inspiration for many. While the concept of a wellness-focused resort is now fairly commonplace, Canyon Ranch properties remain focused on providing unparalleled expertise and innovative service to their guests.
“Nowhere else has a team like ours: doctors, nurses, licensed nutritionists, sports science/therapists, behavioral and mental health experts,” says Canyon Ranch CEO Mark Rivers. “A lot of great hospitality venues around the country tout wellness initiatives like Peloton, filtered water and deep tissue massages, and that’s pretty much it. At Canyon Ranch, we’re helping change and improve people’s lives, often for the rest of their lives,” added Rivers, who takes over as CEO in September 2023.
While it’s not often you get the chance to stay at a renowned wellness resort like Canyon Ranch, there’s no doubt that the staff’s expertise, the natural beauty both indoors and outdoors, the nutritious food and state-of-the-art amenities, including underwater treadmills, compression therapy and infrared sauna pods, underscore the resort’s commitment to providing a holistic approach to wellness — a term that Rivers acknowledges is outdated.
Luckily, while Tucson Canyon Ranch is the portfolio’s OG resort, it’s far from dated, and Rivers has kept innovation and growth at the forefront while maintaining the resort’s roots. “We’re evolving and innovating at a faster pace than ever before, and we’re excited to leverage our authority and credibility in wellness. We’ve added CR Vitality to three of our locations, which offers new, cutting-edge technology for recovery and performance, from red light therapy to hyperbaric chambers to lymphatic massage and more,” he told The Daily Beast.
My short 2-day stay started with an acupuncture appointment (I specifically booked the Acupuncture for Healthy Weight option). Unlike going to my family doctor, I felt like the acupuncturist really listened to what was bothering me: a slow metabolism, chronic sinusitis, anxiety issues, and lack of energy. It was my first time trying acupuncture, but thanks to the practitioner, it wasn’t a scary experience at all. I left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, with a “prescription” of herbal medicine for maintenance and some dietary advice.
Next, I headed in for a personal nutrition consultation with a licensed dietitian who discussed my fitness and diet goals and came up with a game plan I could stick to, which included cutting back on eating fries and queso to twice a week. The dietitian was not only knowledgeable but also approachable. She didn’t just give me a typical “healthy” diet plan with protein, complex carbs, fruits, and vegetables, as I’d hoped. Instead, she took the time to come up with healthy alternatives for my favorite foods (including my beloved queso) and gave me a game plan for making healthy choices when eating out and for incorporating more protein into my meals without feeling like it was a chore.
Afterwards, I headed for a body composition fitness consultation to assess my fat to muscle ratio and receive personalized fitness advice based on the results. During the consultation, I experienced the BodyPod, a mini spacecraft that measures body fat percentage and lean mass. The results were, well, disappointing. But I left with a customized fitness routine, home equipment recommendations, and a detailed weekly training plan that I actually stuck to a month after my appointment.
We ended our stay with a fantastic lymphatic drainage massage that left us feeling lighter, cleared and toned, and a healthy lunch at the resort’s cafe. Before our drive from the ranch to the airport, the staff packs a healthy lunch and snacks in paper bags for us to eat on the way. We loved it.
While the experience will vary depending on which service you choose, they all focus on some area of wellness and self-improvement. For me, Canyon Ranch’s tranquil environment, healthy food options, and best-in-class staff provided the ultimate reset that kick-started a new resolution to take care of myself, including prioritizing exercise, healthy eating, and time each day to check in with my mental health.
I know routines are pretty hard to stick to, especially ones that require you to regularly make time and show up for yourself, but my experience at Canyon Ranch marked the beginning of a new era for me, both physically and mentally.
