You could spend your weekend doing the usual workouts. But why not get away and learn something new? Spend a concentrated but fun three to six days surfing, telemark skiing, improving your tennis stroke or learning a more exotic sport with others who are devoted to it. Whether you're a novice or an accomplished athlete, the intensive instruction and festive group atmospheres you'll find at these sports camps* will leave you exhilarated--and maybe even a pound or two lighter.

*Unless specified, camps are priced per person and are coed, usually attracting equal numbers of men and women; campers range in age from children to seniors.

Learn to mush

Book it Wintergreen Dog Sledding Vacations--three to five nights, December to March, Ely, Minn., two hours northeast of Duluth.

Who goes Six to eight campers per session

Program Not surprisingly, the best things about dog sledding are the playful pooches, which salivate for the opportunity to pull you across snow-covered trails. Averaging 80 pounds, the Canadian Eskimo Dog (now known as the Canadian Inuit, the more politically correct term) falls between the malamute and husky in size. The original sled dog of the high arctic, the Inuit breed has a tough build for back-country travel but can still be comfortably handled by most beginners. You'll receive hands-on instruction and practice handling the sled and harnessing the dogs. When not mushing, you'll burn calories cross-country skiing and snowshoeing alongside the sleds, over frozen lakes and snowy hills in the spectacular Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Base camp The remote yet cozy Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge offers shared and private accommodations, a hot tub and sauna.

Details From $750 for a three-night lodge trip, or book a five-night dog-sledding/camping trip (comprising three nights camping, two nights in the lodge), including lodging, meals and equipment (218-365-6022, dogsledding.com).

Learn to luge

Book it Four-day March luge fantasy camps in Lake Placid, N.Y., five hours from Manhattan

Who goes Six to 10 campers a session

Program If you have ever dreamed of racing feet first down an icy Olympic track lying on your back, now's your chance. No endurance training here--you'll mostly employ the fast-twitching parts of your muscles for quick bursts of activity, with an emphasis on fun and safety. The best part: The average female luge participant burns up to 460 calories per hour!