Sure, you could stick to your own neighborhood circuit and gym circuit. Or you could take the active vacation of a lifetime, stoking the envy of your workout buddies and maybe changing yourself forever in the process. If you’re interested in Option B, read on. Your destination of choice? Newfoundland & Labrador, the wild and rugged province at the eastern edge of Canada, where the stair-climber is a hike up a misty mountain and the lap pool is the Atlantic Ocean, where you can swim with whales.

Kayaking

The backdrop of open sea, rocky points, and enormous icebergs in “Iceberg Alley” is so wild you might not even notice the serious upper-body workout you’re getting. Paddle briskly through this northern Newfoundland area known ”iceberg alley”, taking in the beautiful floating scenery as you go. The icebergs start moving south in spring, making mid-May to mid-July the ideal time to see them, and Notre Dame Bay is a playground for humpback whales in summer. The 2,000-person town of Twillingate – the “Iceberg Capital of the World”— makes for a good home base for any type of activity during either season.

Cycling

Southerly tailwinds make the 280-mile ride along Newfoundland’s Viking Trail easier than it might be, but this epic itinerary is no cruiser. There are serious hills along the way, especially as you pass through Gros Morne National Park. The route (which can be shortened, depending on schedule and fitness levels) starts at Deer Lake and mostly hugs the rugged coastline, winding through fishing villages, past glacial lakes, and ends at L’Anse aux Meadows, site of the only known Viking settlement in the New World.