Cheap weight loss camps are in high demand. With shows like The Biggest Loser promoting the idea of fitness boot camps where attendees drop dozens of pounds, America’s wealthy heavyweights are signing up in droves to resort-style programs that cost tens of thousands of dollars. That show is cashing in with its own established programs for the public, but wellness centers everywhere have created their own systems for promoting fitness, healthy eating, and weight loss. Unfortunately, whether or not these programs are successful depends less on how much they cost and more on whether medical professionals have created them. If you don’t have the resources to attend a mega-resort program from our list of 5 best weight loss camps, never fear; you’re not out of luck if you can’t afford a swank setup in a prime destination. Check out these weight loss camps for adults to learn how they may offer more benefits than more expensive programs.
Vetting the Claims of Cheap Weight Loss Camps
The difference between expensive and cheap weight loss camps can be tens of thousands of dollars a month. One program costing $2,400 per week was packing guests together in shared rooms, offering optional group fitness sections, and served one small and simple menu each day. Attendees left famished after losing a few pounds from not eating all week. Effective camps focus on building healthy meals, exercise habits and other various methods to help you slim down and stay healthy in the long term. They don’t try to sell you on luxury features or locations and focus instead on the benefits of their health programs. However, if you feel these things should be included in the costs you’re paying, make certain to ask in advance.
Making Fat Camps Affordable
Even affordable weight loss camps are going to cost a considerable sum of money. Thankfully, you can pay for attendance through a variety of methods. Because of IRS Ruling 2002-19, the federal government has recently declared obesity to be an accepted medical condition. If you can get a referral by your doctor to your program of choice, the money you spend there will be tax deductible. You can also pay for your camp using a health savings account. In addition, you may be able to get reimbursement for a portion of the costs through your health insurance plan or secure a loan through the treatment center you want to attend. Often, the best cheap weight loss camps have more payment options than other camps. The following cheap weight loss camps have some of the best reviews in the nation.
1) Red Mountain Resort – Utah
With cheap weight loss camps starting at just $200 per day, the Red Mountain Resort offers a delectable menu, a generous host of unique physical activities, and spa services such as massage. Their staffers are concerned with whole-body help and have the perfect setting to encourage their clients’ success. The area near St. George, Utah, is speckled with rich red mountain formations and deep valleys, providing motivational views from the deluxe suites and villas available.
Located near Zion National Park, guests often take part in tours to the area, including walking tours to landmarks that cannot be visited by car. In addition, the staff provides helpful assessment services for guests who are serious about getting in shape.
2) Structure House – Durham, NC
Located in the legendary Southern City of Durham, North Carolina, Structure House is one of the nation’s leading weight loss facilities. Through a combination of evidence-based treatment, medical support, fitness coaching, nutritional coaching, and behavioral therapy, Structure House is able to deliver outstanding success rates. Structure House’s rates range from $3,865 for a one-week intensive package to $12,025 for a 4-week Core Wellness program that address every aspect of one’s weight loss struggles.
They’ve created multiple programs to meet the needs of their clients. Programs like Core Wellness, Weekend Wellness, Graduate Wellness, and more provide each client with the program that best suits their needs.
One of the most powerful parts of the Structure House system is that they “go straight at” some of the most vexing issues of weight loss. Binge-eating, pre- & post-bariatric surgery, diabetes, obesity and many other issues are dealt with head-on. This makes their programs extremely successful. Their ability to adapt to each person’s individual situation provides the one-on-one programming that lets clients lose weight and keep it off.
3) The Biggest Loser Resort – Utah, Illinois, California & Hawaii
Starting at $1995 for one week, the Biggest Loser Resort group has cheap camps in four different states. These camps offer comprehensive fitness and dietary training programs that are similar to those seen on the network TV show.
Each location offers guests opportunities to relax with fitness-minded friends as well as wilderness excursions, bonfires, and the like. These programs will work your body, burn fat and calories, and provide motivation through an initial weight loss burst. They are supplemented with nutrition training, such as workshops on menu planning and emotional eating, as well as cooking demos and tips on creating a realistic workout plan once you return home. While the weight you lose here during your week won’t reflect what you’ll continue to lose over the long haul, it will give you the tools you need to change your habits and to support a slimming lifestyle.
4) Cooper Healthy Living – Texas
Offering a five-day wellness retreat with lectures on healthy eating and exercise, personal trainer sessions, balanced meal plans, group fitness activities, and ongoing skill building, the Cooper Healthy Living (formerly Cooper Wellness) packs a punch for the price tag. At $2,195, it offers more than similar programs at twice the cost. Cooper Aerobics also provides a six- to eight-hour comprehensive assessment that is separate from its weight loss programs. Sample itineraries can be found at the website as well, so you can get a detailed look at the schedule of one of their two-day or five-day programs. Cooper Healthy Living will provide you with advice on how to make a simple and healthy lifestyle changes that will have big pay-offs.
5) Warrior Fitness Boot Camp – Brooklyn, NY
This is a day weight loss camp that provides a Marine-style training experience. Not for the faint of heart, this type of training is outstanding for motivating you to be your best. It’s about instructors who don’t take “no” for an answer and will push you beyond the limits that you thought you had. Warrior Fitness Boot Camp is designed to push you hard and then give you the satisfaction of walking around feeling amazing. An entire month of unlimited use is only $375. Combine that with a truly nutritious diet and you will be ripped and fit in no time. Marines at Parris Island are on a strict and balanced calorie intake. If you do the same for yourself and make sure that you get some of the marching/hiking in, you’ll look like a Marine in no time.
6) Lifestyle Fitness – St. George, Utah
Located in St. George, Utah, this is about as far from Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as the moon is. Lifestyle Fitness offers a special is just $6,999 for an entire month with everything included, except transportation. Located on the edge of Zion National Park and with hiking through Snow Canyon State Park, this is a trip into some of the US’s most beautiful territory, all the while led by weight loss and fitness experts who are compassionate and driven to help you achieve your goals. With only 6 guests at a time, the entire program is personalized and designed to help you learn new lifestyle habits that will set you free from the cycle of weight gain and loss. They even have a golf fitness program that can keep golfers in shape for the links. This might not be the cheapest of the cheap weight loss camps, but it’s affordable for everything that you get.
7) Shane Diet & Fitness Resorts – New York
Based in New York, Shane Diet & Fitness Resorts, offer customized weight loss programs for adults 18 & up, starting at $2,725 per week. Their beautiful resort and spa sits on 250 acres of land in the Catskill Mountains, just 100 miles north of New York City. Guests can stay for 1-10 weeks and will participate in a holistic program that integrates exercise, nutrition, wellness and behavioral therapy. Activities include everything from hiking to dance classes to guided meditation, led by their experts that include a registered dietitian, cognitive behavioral therapist and medical supervisor.
Shane Resorts have over 47 years of experience, beginning with their Camp Shane youth programs in Arizona, California, Georgia, New York, Texas & Wisconsin. Shane Resorts have been featured on ABC’s “20/20” with Barbara Walters and “The Dr. Phil Show” with Dr. Phil McGraw. After guests complete their stay at Shane Resorts, they will receive ongoing assistance from their coaches to support their long-term weight loss goals.
Keeping in Shape in the Real World – Making the Most of Cheap Weight Loss Camps
It can be tough to return to your old life after a week or month at cheap weight loss camps. There are a few things that you can do to help yourself along:
- As soon as you know what you can and can’t eat, send a list home to a partner, spouse, or family member. Have them eliminate everything in your kitchen that you shouldn’t have. That way, when you get home, your kitchen isn’t an instant temptation.
- Exercise is a major part of all of these programs. Make sure that when you get home you have a plan to keep it up. This might mean that you join a gym. It could also simply be that you know which park to hike in and where your bicycle is. If you live in a cold climate, consider indoor activities or plan outdoor activities that you can do when the wind is cold.
- Make sure that whomever is awaiting you at home is supportive. If you are going to get home to someone who is going to offer you a pizza dinner and beer as soon as you get home, you might need to reconsider how you interact with that person.
- Take your success with you. Everyone at home might be used to seeing you as a fat person. They might treat you just like they always have. When you get home, you will be a different person. You can start by going out and getting a new wardrobe. No matter how people treat you, you need to stay the course and know that you’re doing this for you.
If you have a child that’s struggling with obesity, you may want to look at our guide to the best weight loss camps for kids.
I may not be able to afford it but I do know the only way for me to be successful is to be removed from my current lifestyle and given exactly what need to eat without the ability to get more at least for a week or two in order to change my lifestyle. As for all you narrow minded people who think fat people are irresponsible and deserve what they get, would you treat an alcoholic but cutting him down to 3 drinks a day and expect results? NO! And this is no different for us only more difficult…. It is an addiction. So if you can’t find the kindness in your heart to be supportive, then mind your own damn business….we don’t need you!
Right there with you. Same thing for me. All sugar, all the time. I did a two weeker (but I think we went to the same place). Really helped me a lot
Amen!
Right one!!! I totally agree with you
Another top choice for adult weight loss camps is CFS Fitness Camp in Tampa Bay. https://www.cfscamp.com/ They provide amazing food, private accommodations, fun local activities and an all-inclusive pricing format that makes planning your stay SUPER easy!
Oh I’ve been there, this place is awesome!
They’re using the brand “Weight Crafters” now – but it’s the same program with the same benefits they’ve been offering for the past 10 years. There’s a reason they’ve stayed around – the value is there and the program works.
oh that’s cool. i’ve heard of weight crafters as well. my sister was looking for a fitness place to spend her 2 week vacation and ended up choosing weight crafters. she lost 25lbs, and now she won’t stop talking about it. keeps bothering me to go now. i’m pretty sure i’m going to do it, but i want to wait until she plans another trip there so we can share a condo and get a lower rate.
Being overweight is extremely expensive, and so are the health problems that it leads to.
I am looking for a 30 day program – I can’t imagine much happening in a week. I want to lose 60 lbs and I know I need help. Any suggestions?
I’d say call Weightcrafters. I had a friend stay there for 2 months, and she looked like a completely different person when she got home. Strong too! I think it’s the healthiest she’s ever looked in her whole life.
I know from my friend’s experience, that they’ll work with you on the pricing part, when you start looking at longer-term stays.
I just can’t get over how much happier she seems, now. That place completely changed her life! Highly recommended!
Two weeks is enough for a kickstart to drop 50-60 pounds, but a month is even better as you could lose nearly half the goal.
I would second the weight crafters recommendation. Most times in the year, it’s going to be the best bang for your buck. Especially when they have a special running.
Think of it this way… these rates are very similar to an all-inclusive resort for a week, depending on where you go. Both are LUXURIES. Saving money on either one (vacation or your health) just requires a little more homework. Either way, it\’s up to you.
Let’s face it is hard being on a diet and exercise program at home too many distractions and not enough motivation/support…sometimes getting away can jump start you enough to continue unfortunately everything is about$…if u don’t have it u can’t do it!
I got ALL The junk out of the house, and put Everyone in thr family on healthy eating only. I use the Sparkpeople free app and have lost 10 lbs in 13 days and thats not fluid. I have partial edema that hasn’t and won’t change. And im a soda addict so i don’t drink water, I drink Seltzer water because I need the carbonation, i mix it with true lemon, true line or true grapefruit and Monk fruit sweetener for sweetners, stay away from artificial sweetners.
EXACTLY!! Everyone has an input butbits not easy for everyone. Staying at home, chasing toddlers. At the end of the day I am exhausted. Most of us cant afford rates like that when raising children. We put them first.
I am looking into getting on one of these programs that will offer a live in life style for a few weeks so I can concentrate on my weight loss. Apps are great and going to see a personal trainer each week is great too but for me being in a camp will help me focus on me and my life rather getting distracted with an app. At a camp I will have to eat what is required for me to eat. At home I will be more tempted and I’m not ready to take on the home challenge. So by saying this, I need help to get on a program to help me to not just lose weight but to change my lifestyle. I hate getting up each more out of breathe or trying to tie my shoes and getting short on breathe. Or having constant acid reflux thats making my nights sleepless or my days exalsting. I get a check each month and I also have medicaid but not sure if any camp takes my type of insurance. I am over 300 pounds and I am 6’2″. You might think the reason I weight a lot is my size, I get that. Every time I complain about my weight, everyone says its my size. But I know one thing they don’t know. I have to live in this body and I have to take on my health daily. I have to deal with the out of breathe problems. I have to deal with carrying around so much weight and feeling seeker each day. I have to live in my body and that hurts so bad. I need a camp to change my life completely and for the better of my health. Please if anyone can help me please do so. I only get one life to live and in that one life I would much rather live a healthy and productive lifestyle then nothing at all. It comes down to this. Get fatter and unhealthy or eat better and stay healthy and live a life that will be a lot easier and more productive. My goals are simple. Get Healthy. Stay Healthy. Be an example in another persons life that needs a life changing solution. Please help me. I need you !
I am right there with you as well as a girlfriend of mine. Have you had any luck finding anything? I am not broke but I can’t really afford $2000. a week! I need a life style change completely and am willing to put in the work and time. I will continue looking and will pass on the news. Best of Luck to you and we can make it if we have support and want to bad enough. God Bless
Check out Unite Fitness Retreat in Salt lake City Shawn. Best of luck to you!
King
I make 400 a week after taxes tell me how to pay my bills and go to any of these camps
Cheapest place I know of but have never been is Rancho Cortez in Texas, a dude ranch for weight loss. You can work your way through the program for a $100/day discount. This may be a great option for you.
Tammy got it right – if you’re looking for the absolute lowest price possible, Rancho Cortez in Texas is hard to beat. But you’re also looking at community showers and bunkhouses for your stay there.
The most affordable option with some privacy and more personalized attention would be Weight Crafters in Florida.
There are a few others in the same ballpark as weight crafters price wise, it just depends on what you’re looking for. And that’s all-inclusive. You should definitely watch out for the camps that advertise a “base” price and then start tacking on all kinds of extras during the sign-up process. More than a few out there.
EXACTLY! But I will tell You whats working for Me, Sparkpeople the app, its free, and Ive lost 10 lbs in 13 days following the suggested calorie breakdown for an average weight loss if 2 lbs a week and 3 activity levels, mine is Sedentary because of back issues, then theres low activity and Active. It really helps Me and I have 150 lbs to lose. I should reach my goal by summer 2018 🙂
I don’t know why everyone is bitching – it seems everyone wants a quick, cheap fix to be skinny. You’re paying money for designed meals, a hotel room, activities as well as what some places offer – nutritional lectures and emotional support. Some of you need a reality check – especially if you’re serious about losing weight. It’s not cheap and over night, it’s a fucking lifestyle change.
thank you for advice. But you can inform us with more polite way…we don’t need to hear these bad words from you ..can you behave please..you can make up sentences without the bad words.
Nancy Sarkis If my words are so harmful, don’t read the comment. Skip over the the comment as soon as you see the first cuss word. Don’t come preaching to me. It’s my own life choice, and a personally trait that the people around me love dearly. I don’t know you. I’m never going to meet you. Don’t tell me how to change my life, I’m not sitting here telling you how to change yours.
Thank-you Ms. King for that post but did you have to get plum hateful about it. Do you not think people are stupid enough not to understand it is a lifestyle change? Why else would they (me) be looking for a place to go. So we don’t need a reality check but you may consider a reality attitude check! I bet you have a lot of friends don’t you.
In other words you don’t have to bring people down to make yourself feel worthy. Might want to think on that before you go off with the “fucking” statements.
God Bless and I hope your lifestyle change worked I really do. Take care and sorry if I expressed myself in a way that might have upset you. I didn’t mean it any more than you probably did your post.
Your 3 week suggestion is just one in an endless series of money-grabs by opportunists looking to take advantage of overweight people who don’t know any better. You’re a bad person for posting it. And you should feel bad.