It can be rewarding to come out of a health spa noticeably smaller than when you went in, but you don't want the same to be true of your bank account. Fortunately, we've found five invigorating spas in tranquil settings that give you the five-star treatment for less money than you might expect.

All rates are per person, double occupancy, including all meals and use of pools and exercise facilities.

Utah's Red Mountain Resort health spa offers five-star treatment and priceless scenery at a surprisingly affordable cost. — Courtesy Red Mountain Resort

Red Mountain Resort
St. George, Utah
From $230 per night

Set against a craggy monolith reminiscent of Australia's Ayers Rock, the Red Mountain Resort combines spectacular desert vistas with unlimited fitness classes, guided hikes and appetizing demonstrations of nutritious cooking. Be sure to pedal out on a paved trail across the landscape — you may spot a mule deer or mountain lion. And keep an eye upward for bald eagles.

The Heartland Spa
Gilman, Ill.
$286 per night (based on a three-night stay)

It used to be a dairy farm; now guests stroll, bike and even cross-country ski (when conditions allow) across Heartland's 32 acres of pastures and woods, just 90 miles south of Chicago. The resort's main house overlooks a placid three-acre lake, and the old barn is home to the pool, spa and fitness studios. Chef Barb Peters serves up a 1,500-calorie-a-day menu that's rich in vegetables but also includes fish and poultry.

Deerfield Spa
East Stroudsburg, Pa.
$220 per night (two-night minimum stay)

No excuse missing an exercise class here — the spa holds 14 strength and aerobic sessions a day, in and around the old Victorian home and inn that owner Joan Wolff's family has operated since 1979. The Appalachian Trail runs right near this Pocono Mountains retreat.

The Oaks at Ojai
Ojai, Calif.
$199 per night (two-night minimum)

Located on the main street of Ojai, a thriving arts community 90 minutes from Los Angeles, the Spanish Revival Oaks has been welcoming health-conscious guests since 1977. Nearby trails range from less than two miles long to six miles or more. Be sure to schedule a fitness class with owner-founder Sheila Cluff, 76, a competitive ice-skater.

Jimmy LeSage's New Life Hiking Spa, The Inn of the Six Mountains
Killington, Vt.
$229 per night (three-night minimum)

In winter it's a ski resort; from May through September dedicated walkers trim down and shape up at this chalet-style hotel. As the name implies, the Green Mountains are put to good use, as guests take to the hills on scenic trails. When you get back, work out the kinks by enjoying a massage, included with a three-night stay.