A tropical resort with seven gyms, carefully planned meals, and dedicated recovery facilities sounds like an unusual alternative to the typical beach vacation. Zamaya, a $40 million fitness-focused destination in Mexico, attempts to combine the atmosphere of a luxury retreat with the structure of an intensive training camp. Fitness creator Will becomes the first guest to explore the property, spending two days testing its equipment, food, training sessions, and recovery amenities. His enthusiastic personality and constant fitness-related humor make the experience entertaining, while the resort's distinctive concept provides plenty of opportunities to examine whether exercise and relaxation can genuinely coexist.
The introduction establishes the resort's ambitions through a conversation with founder Dave, who describes Zamaya as a tropical fitness sanctuary designed for people of different athletic abilities. The property immediately makes an impression with its jungle surroundings, striking wooden architecture, elaborate pavilion, and luxurious accommodations. Will's suite includes a private pool, workout accessories, and a peaceful outdoor setting, although the absence of televisions, readily available snacks, and alcohol reinforces the resort's commitment to fitness. Even the extensive staircases become part of the experience. These details effectively communicate the property's identity, but the presentation emphasizes its beauty and exclusivity without exploring the practical implications of its reported $40 million development cost or what guests would actually pay to stay there.
The resort's nutrition program receives considerable attention, particularly its emphasis on clearly displayed calories and macronutrients. At the Belam restaurant, Will discovers customizable meals featuring proteins, vegetables, carbohydrates, and carefully measured portions. His initial skepticism about fitness-oriented dining gradually disappears as he praises the beef patties, French fries, Greek yogurt, chicken dishes, and freshly prepared juices. The inclusion of familiar comfort foods helps challenge the assumption that healthy eating must be restrictive or unpleasant. However, the nutritional information is accepted largely at face value, and the repeated emphasis on portion control and precise tracking may not appeal to viewers who prefer a more flexible approach to eating while traveling.
The strength-training facilities are among the most impressive attractions. La Sima offers an extensive selection of bodybuilding and powerlifting equipment, including specialized machines, squat racks, deadlift platforms, and numerous cable attachments. Will's excitement feels genuine as he abandons his original workout plan to experiment with unfamiliar equipment and enjoy the atmosphere. The outdoor calisthenics area adds another training option, while the enormous open-air pavilion accommodates functional fitness and hybrid workouts. His attempts at ring muscle-ups provide a particularly satisfying moment, especially when guidance from head trainer Con helps him exceed his previous personal best. These sequences demonstrate the potential value of having knowledgeable instructors and specialized equipment in one location.
The second day introduces greater variety through Brazilian jiu-jitsu, functional conditioning, and Muay Thai sessions. Will approaches unfamiliar disciplines with a willingness to struggle, allowing viewers to see both the physical demands and the satisfaction of learning new movements. The combination of assault-bike intervals, sled pushes, weighted stepovers, and striking drills demonstrates that Zamaya offers more than conventional weightlifting. His exhaustion also becomes a recurring source of comedy, particularly when he compares the tropical heat to exercising inside an outdoor sauna. Nevertheless, the demanding schedule raises questions about how the resort would accommodate beginners or guests with different recovery needs. Although the founder emphasizes accessibility across athletic abilities, the experience primarily follows an already well-conditioned fitness enthusiast.
Recovery receives almost as much attention as exercise, giving the resort a more balanced identity. The dedicated recovery area includes a large sauna, cold plunges, a jacuzzi, and outdoor showers surrounded by lush scenery. Will's sports massage becomes one of his favorite experiences, providing a welcome contrast to the demanding workouts. These quieter sequences help demonstrate why someone might choose a destination that combines training and relaxation rather than attending a conventional gym. The presentation is also reasonably careful when Will acknowledges that cold plunging immediately after lifting may not be ideal for maximizing muscle growth. Still, subjective descriptions of reduced stress, improved recovery, and feeling healthier are not supported by objective measurements, leaving the benefits largely experiential rather than scientifically demonstrated.
Will's energetic commentary gives the tour a recognizable personality, with jokes about earning relaxation, establishing dominance at the pool, and surviving a vacation without alcohol. His enthusiasm makes the equipment demonstrations engaging, and the progression from initial exploration to increasingly demanding workouts creates a natural structure. However, the humor occasionally becomes repetitive, particularly the recurring references to protein, chicken breast, and the unusual absence of traditional resort indulgences. The promotional segment for the MacroFactor tracking app also interrupts the otherwise immersive presentation. More importantly, the video never fully resolves its opening question of whether the resort is worth visiting. There is no meaningful discussion of accommodation prices, package inclusions, booking arrangements, or how the experience might compare financially with a traditional fitness retreat.
Pros
- The resort's striking tropical architecture, luxurious accommodations, and extensive fitness facilities provide an engaging setting that distinguishes the experience from a conventional hotel tour.
- Will's genuine enthusiasm and self-deprecating humor make the demanding workouts entertaining without losing sight of the resort's central fitness concept.
- Detailed exploration of the bodybuilding gym, calisthenics area, and open-air pavilion demonstrates the variety and quality of training equipment available.
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, and functional fitness sessions showcase the resort's broader training opportunities, including personalized instruction and skill development.
- The restaurant coverage offers useful insight into the resort's nutrition-focused approach, highlighting customizable meals, clearly displayed macronutrients, and appealing food options.
- The recovery facilities and sports massage provide an effective contrast to the intense workouts, reinforcing the appeal of combining physical training with a luxury retreat.
Cons
- The absence of accommodation prices, package details, and booking information makes it difficult to determine whether the resort offers reasonable value.
- Claims about being the world's first and only fitness resort, along with the reported $40 million investment, receive little independent context or supporting explanation.
- The experience centers on an experienced fitness enthusiast, leaving the resort's suitability for beginners and less physically conditioned guests largely unexplored.
- Recovery and wellness benefits are described primarily through personal impressions rather than measurable outcomes or detailed explanations.
- Repeated jokes about protein, restrictive vacation habits, and training exhaustion occasionally weaken the pacing.
- The MacroFactor sponsorship interrupts the resort experience and shifts attention toward an unrelated commercial promotion.
Zamaya offers a fascinating alternative to conventional luxury travel, and Will's enthusiastic exploration effectively captures the excitement of having extensive training facilities, specialized instruction, and recovery amenities in one tropical destination. The impressive setting, varied workouts, and surprisingly appealing food make the experience enjoyable to follow, although the lack of pricing information and limited examination of accessibility prevent it from becoming a fully useful purchasing guide. As an entertaining introduction to a distinctive fitness retreat, it succeeds considerably more than it does as a comprehensive assessment of the resort's overall value.
