Fit for living: 10 homes around the globe to get you moving
Longevity experts agree: regular activity (we’re looking at you, exercise) is proven to increase our lifespan, slow the effects of ageing and keep us not just healthier, but happier, more energized, more productive. Having nearby access to the ways we like to get our bodies moving is crucial, and keeping fit right at home makes for a no-excuses and a better outcome. Here, 10 homes around the world with keep-fit options that may make you sit up (make that stand up!) and get moving.
At Villa La Sella, “green” isn’t just a putting surface but also views of Montgó’s emerald summit and farmland drenched in lush vegetation. (Rimontgó)
Tee time on Spain’s Costa Blanca
The historic port city of Dénia is known for its prime location on Spain’s eastern coast – just over an hour’s drive south of Valencia, and a short ferry hop across to Ibiza. Then there’s Golf La Sella, the largest course on the Costa Blanca, with three courses and a total of 27 holes. Villa La Sella delivers the dream combination of golf location and sophisticated entertaining space on the Med. This sleekly stylish 3-story, 3,700-square-foot home is set on a nearly 11,000-square-foot lot – a turnkey retreat for a two-person family who can’t wait to get out on the greens. Relaxing at home after a day on the fairways looks like this: a Mediterranean garden of walnut, orange and lemon trees, a large sundeck and pool, and a vista that can’t be beat.
At nearly 10,000 square feet, this estate doesn’t merely border recreational playgrounds – it is one. (GUIDE Real Estate)
Get game in Granite Bay, California
Shoot hoops all year long, rain or shine, in your own 4,000-square-foot indoor basketball court, complete with scoreboard. A full gym sits right next to the court for weight training or stretching, plus a wave-resistant outdoor lap pool invites a water workout. This classic farmhouse estate is tucked into rural Granite Bay, a quiet suburb of Sacramento, and sits on three and a half acres. A peaceful pond with fountain, a grassy picnic area, plus RV and boat parking means access to nearby Folsom Lake add to the leisurely vibe.
Four years and nearly $20 million of renovations have catapulted this stately Portland beauty squarely into 2024. (LUXE)
Baskets or ballgowns in Portland, Oregon
A 1930s Tudor Revival estate in the historical West Hills area completed a $20 million renovation last year, including a gymnasium that lives a double life as an event space. Portland’s Mittleman Estate is a 25,568-square-foot country manor with Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier offering nearby mountain majesty. The fitness wing’s floating maple floor is a basketball half-court one day and a ballroom the next. And for every day? Laps in the indoor pool. French windows and skylights offer natural light, while overhead heavy wooden beams and drowsy ceiling fans create a relaxing atmosphere. For the get-outside enthusiast, nearby Forest Park’s 70 miles of trails call to runners, hikers and cyclists.
Here’s the real pitch: a grand suburban Toronto estate with its very own soccer field. (Barry Cohen Homes)
On the ball in Richmond Hill, Ontario
Not many properties can claim they have a soccer field right onsite, but this custom-built Georgian home has earned those bragging rights because. Families can enroll keen kids in nearby Richmond Hill Soccer Club for lessons and then work on those skills at home. This 5-bedroom Richvale estate – less than an hour’s drive south to Toronto – illustrates craftsmanship and architectural elegance over 4 levels, all with elevator access. An outdoor saltwater pool and hot tub are surrounded by impeccably groomed landscape, and nearby Richmond Hill Country Club’s 18-hole championship course is a magnet for serious golfers.
With an indoor and outdoor gym, there’s no weather-related excuse for skipping leg-day at this Montecito estate. (Village Properties)
Fresh-air fit in Montecito, California
Consider this coastal-chic estate tucked into the hills with ocean views that seemingly never end – a masterclass on how to embrace indoor-outdoor living. Start with the shaded outdoor gym and separate fitness zone inside. A covered outdoor kitchen and dining area means preparing healthy meals al fresco is easy (and beautifully breezy), while the pool and spa feel protected by the foliage that curls around the natural stone hardscaping. Nearby hiking trails expand fitness options, and Montecito’s upper and lower villages are always worth exploring.
With a pickleball court, swim-up bar and outdoor kitchen, this sleek retreat serves in more ways than one. (RETSY)
Pickleball in Paradise Valley, Arizona
With an open-concept design and remodeled in 2021, this modern retreat in Paradise Valley offers mountain views and the desirable desert climate Arizona is loved for. The 4-bedroom estate, a short drive from Scottsdale and Phoenix, is surrounded by lush landscaping and outdoor options aimed to keep everyone active and entertained. A pool with swim-up bar nods to resort life, while custom basketball and pickleball courts, in-ground trampoline and a children’s playground add to the menu of fun.
An indoor pool means year-round swimming, whatever the temperature of Lake Ammersee. (Castellanum Real Estate)
Next-level wellness in Bavaria, Germany
Waking to an Alpine panoramic view each morning sounds inviting enough, and this lake villa with wellness floor promises that, plus so much more. Located between Munich and the Alps, Lake Ammersee is a wellness destination for those seeking the benefits of nature plus healthy living. This 4-bedroom estate invites relaxation in a peaceful, private manner, especially with the indoor pool and relaxing sauna on a floor dedicated to wellbeing. Stepping out into the garden for a breath of truly fresh air offers a Zen moment day or night.
Golf sites are often chosen for their scenic allure, and homes like this 18,000-square-foot Fairfield mansion reap the rewards. (The Higgins Group Private Brokerage)
Fitness sanctuary in Fairfield, Connecticut
If one was to fly over this stately home, it would be easy to mistake it for a charming colonial-style hotel. Occupying over 2 and a half acres, the Sanctuary on Sasco Hill is an 8-bedroom estate with ocean views that sweep the east coast, yet the Manhattan skyline is only 50 miles away. This elegant private home spans 17,000 square feet over 6 levels, with a plethora of fitness and relaxation opportunities. Consider the indoor pool with its mosaic tiles and leafy trees, a golf simulator, squash court and gym. Outdoors, an elegant cerulean-blue oval pool invites laps, and a playground keeps little ones happy.
At Villa Andaluz, 14 stables and a training ring keep your horses in peak shape. Humans get pampered here, too. (Living Luxury Costa Rica)
Equestrian elegance in Santa Ana, Costa Rica
With its hacienda style and private location surrounded by lush tropical greenery and views of the surrounding Central Valley and Central Pacific mountains, Villa Andaluz is special indeed. Add 14 horse stables and a training pen, and it’s an equestrian’s dream home. Meandering through four peaceful hectares, the estate includes a main house plus a guest house, all with airy rooms and a true sense of place shown in the décor and architecture, like antique doors from Granada, Nicaragua. Fitness offerings include a gym and outdoor pool as well. Checking out the annual El Tope equestrian parade is always fun and illustrates the proud history of horse culture in Costa Rica.
With a tennis court, pool, and horse stables, Ranginui Retreat channels the grandeur of Europe’s country estates – but its soul is purely Kiwi. (PQ Property Intelligence)
Hotel and home in Wellington, New Zealand
Not many properties share the title of both private residence and exclusive retreat, but Ranginui Retreat is that exception. Set in the hills of Wairarapa, the estate has hosted guests from around the globe seeking the ultimate in relaxation and tranquility. With manicured gardens soaking up the New Zealand sunshine, a sparkling pool, a tennis court, plus stables and paddocks for the horses, you can understand the ‘retreat’ angle. This estate is fitting as a private home or as a commercial venture option, and the New Zealand Wine Trail location only adds to its value and appeal.
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