The Ranch Reminded Me the Basics Are Best for Fitness

The Ranch is the kind of place you go to eat a little (gluten, soy, and dairy are off limits), walk a lot (15 miles a day), and escape from whatever ails you. Nearly fifteen years ago when it launched in Malibu, the program felt radical, attracting the likes of Michelle Obama, Jessica Alba, and Elle McPherson for its 7- or 9-day retreats. Today? Wellness tourism has boomed, and LA has gone full Erewhon, so while the shine of newness has worn-off, the lore of the Ranch remains. In fact, when I asked a few in-the-know friends about it—telling them I was going to the newly opened outpost in the Hudson Valley, two hours outside of Manhattan—they were dying to know what it would be like. I have mixed feelings about experiences like this— expensive “wellness” retreats aren’t really my thing—but I have always been fascinated by the hospitality space and how existing structures, like hotels, provide an easy opportunity to improve people’s well-being if programmed correctly.

Pulling up the winding driveway to the estate we would be staying in, it became clear why folks were intrigued. If Jay Gatsby started a wellness retreat, it would look something like this. Built in 1904 and previously owned by JP Morgan, the 25-room lakefront mansion is set on 200 acres with views from all angles. There was a solarium that housed an indoor pool with a cold plunge and a jacuzzi, specifically intended to be used after long hikes. The workout area, where the group classes would take place, was a 2,000-square-foot space that once served as the grand ballroom and housed a fireplace taller than me. As I settled in for orientation with the other guests and gave a personable Goldendoodle a few earnest scratches behind the ear, I was no doubt impressed, but I really wanted to know how the actual experience would stack up.

What’s the experience like?

The Hudson Valley property offers a fairly straightforward experience that’s less intense than Malibu but follows the same principles. You wake up each day at 5:30 a.m., to the sound of Tibetan chimes, followed by 30 minutes of a morning stretch at 6 a.m. From there, a communal, plant-based breakfast is served. Then it’s time for a two or four-hour hike through scenic nearby Harriman State Park or Ringwood State Park. Upon return, you have the rest of the itinerary laid out for you: a daily massage, a choice between fitness and yoga classes, a snack, and—if you’re lucky—a nap. Everyone eats dinner together at 7 p.m. And throughout the day you have the option to add in things such as energy healing, IV therapy, or a physical therapy-style session for an extra cost. The standard offerings are in two different durations, either four days and three nights or five days and four nights, and the price tag ranges between $2575 to $6900.

If it sounds like a lot—it is.

The Ranch framework makes sense

When I looked at the schedule, I felt like it was overkill: The early wake-ups. The long hikes. The additional workouts. The plant-based-only eating. But when you actually do it, and dive into the science behind it all, you can get behind it more easily. Waking up earlier is linked to a reduced risk of depression, as long as you make sure you’re still getting enough sleep. The suggested schedule made sure we woke up and went to bed around the same time every day and got plenty of daylight exposure, creating circadian rhythm regulation which is vital for well-being.

A short-term shift to plant-based eating, which they stressed did not have to be a “forever” thing, seems to be backed by science as well. Research indicates that it can increase feelings of fullness, and the bioactive compounds in the food can promote well-being.The long hikes are challenging but not impossible, and you get the benefits of “Zone 2” training while in nature. Spending increased time in nature can act as a recovery protocol against burnout.