Fun to the core

"Yes you can!" I say to myself as I walk into the Core Fusion class at the Exhale Spa (exhalespa.com) inside the new Omphoy Ocean Resort in Palm Beach. Here, in this Zen-like ambience, which carries the hotel's Asian influences, a challenging hour-long workout is about to start. "Strenuous?" I ask a few ladies as they depart from an earlier session. They smile knowingly, toweling off as they go. The view in this open and airy space is a pair of perfectly poised meditation pagodas out in the garden. It makes sense since the mind and body connection is the essence of the Exhale philosophy. The class focuses on strength and stretching and is taught, no surprise, by a super-toned instructor who keeps you moving. Hard "core" work is achieved via a yoga/pilates-esque routine with a wall ballet bar, a belt, a yoga mat, light weights and blocks. No gimmicks. I find myself toweling off with that knowing smile. Looks like the Saturday class has my name all over it. Open to locals and hotel guests, choose from per class payment or monthly membership.