5-star Wellness Resort
5-star Wellness Resort
Written by: Chris Butt, Certified Personal Trainer & Weight Loss Coach, Premier Fitness Camp | Last updated: August 31, 2026
Structure House, located at 3017 Pickett Road in Durham, North Carolina, was more than a fitness camp. It operated as a residential weight management facility that prioritized the psychological and behavioral roots of eating. The founders believed that sustainable weight loss requires understanding why we eat, beyond simply what we eat. Structure House created a structured, all-inclusive environment where adults could step away from daily life and focus entirely on their health.
The program’s core components included:
These components were designed for a specific audience: adults seeking long-term behavior change instead of short-term fixes. Historical outcomes reflected this emphasis on sustainable, gradual progress. Behavioral weight-management programs built around goal setting, self-monitoring, and feedback on performance represent the evidence-based foundation that Structure House helped popularize in the residential setting.
Structure House permanently closed because of financial and operational challenges. Its methodology remained aligned with modern evidence on behavioral weight loss, and demand for behavioral, residential programs continues.
The closure marked a significant loss for the residential weight loss industry. For decades, Structure House had been a pioneer in treating excess weight as a psychological and behavioral condition as well as a physical one. Its closure created a gap for adults who wanted more than a standard fitness program and who needed support to understand the emotional triggers, habits, and thought patterns behind their relationship with food.
The principles Structure House championed did not disappear. A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Obesity Reviews confirmed that behavioral weight-loss interventions built on goal setting, self-monitoring, and behavioral feedback produce meaningful additional weight loss compared to controls, which validates the approach Structure House followed. Modern programs like Premier Fitness Camp build on that foundation and integrate behavioral health with advanced fitness training, nutrition education, and data-driven results tracking. To understand how Premier Fitness Camp carries that legacy forward, the next section compares the two programs directly.
Structure House and Premier Fitness Camp share a core belief that lasting weight loss requires addressing the mind and body together. They differ in how they deliver that philosophy, the intensity of daily life on campus, and the overall setting.
Philosophy: Structure House placed behavioral psychology at the center, with fitness and nutrition in supporting roles. Premier Fitness Camp’s “Think, Eat, Move” philosophy gives equal weight to all three pillars. Licensed psychologists and behavioral health coaches lead the Think component, registered dietitians and wellness chefs guide Eat, and certified trainers deliver 4–5 hours of daily fitness for Move.
This philosophical difference becomes most visible in the fitness experience. Fitness Intensity: Structure House’s fitness component stayed intentionally lighter, with walking, yoga, and pool activities designed to feel approachable. Premier Fitness Camp offers a far more diverse and intensive program that includes bootcamp, boxing, barre, TRX, Tabata, hiking at Torrey Pines, beach workouts on the Pacific coast, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Every class is structured so that all fitness levels, from beginners to seasoned athletes, can participate and benefit. The 3–4:1 client-to-trainer ratio ensures personalized attention. A 2026 meta-analysis found that lifestyle modification programs targeting approximately 8,500 daily steps during the weight-loss phase produced significant and sustained weight loss. Premier Fitness Camp’s intensive daily training schedule exceeds that benchmark.
Nutrition: Structure House provided chef-prepared meals and nutrition education. Premier Fitness Camp expands this model with on-site wellness chefs who prepare farm-to-fork meals, registered dietitians who lead educational sessions, and cooking demonstrations that show clients how to prepare healthy meals at home. The goal is to feed clients well during their stay and also equip them with skills for life. International obesity guidelines now emphasize that adequate fiber intake together with dietary patterns rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and minimally processed foods remains one of the most evidence-based components of obesity care, which is the standard Premier Fitness Camp’s culinary program follows.
Behavioral Health: Both programs prioritize behavioral health. Structure House became known for its seminar-heavy approach and group therapy. Premier Fitness Camp offers licensed psychologists, group workshops on emotional eating and triggers, one-on-one counseling, and meditation sessions. These services operate within a luxury resort environment that supports mental well-being. A 2026 consensus statement from the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity identified professional support from trained specialists including physicians, dietitians, and psychologists as essential when self-directed attempts fail, which matches the multidisciplinary model Premier Fitness Camp delivers.
Data Tracking: Structure House tracked weight loss. Premier Fitness Camp tracks 17 data points weekly, including body fat percentage, measurements, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, push-ups, plank time, and mile time, all summarized in a personalized report card. This data-driven approach helps clients see progress beyond the scale.
Outcomes: Historical outcomes for Structure House varied, and no verified weekly percentage figure is available. Premier Fitness Camp’s UCSD case study showed that 94% of client weight loss was purely fat, compared with the 60/40 fat-to-muscle ratio typical of many dieting programs. This pattern means Premier Fitness Camp clients lose the right kind of weight and preserve lean muscle and metabolic rate for long-term success. Research confirms that resting energy expenditure decreases significantly after weight loss, an adaptation that can persist for years and contributes to weight regain. Premier Fitness Camp’s resistance-integrated training directly addresses this risk.
Setting: Structure House operated in a dedicated facility in Durham, North Carolina. Premier Fitness Camp operates at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. This 450-acre luxury resort offers a year-round moderate climate, dedicated Premier Fitness Camp facilities, a world-class spa with three treatments per week included, and access to outdoor activities unavailable to many competitors.
Pricing: Structure House historically charged approximately $4,700–$5,300 per week. Premier Fitness Camp runs approximately $6,000 per week, all-inclusive, with 0% financing available for up to six months. The difference reflects Premier Fitness Camp’s luxury resort setting, more intensive training, and comprehensive data tracking. Given these differences, adults comparing programs benefit from a clear checklist of what to evaluate next.
Adults evaluating residential weight loss programs after Structure House’s closure benefit from a clear checklist of what separates effective programs from generic ones. The following criteria, drawn from expert recommendations, can guide that evaluation and shape the questions you ask providers.
These criteria align with current research. A large-scale analysis of real-world weight management services found that face-to-face group interventions with weekly sessions combining diet and physical activity education achieved the greatest weight loss outcomes, which mirrors the group-based model Premier Fitness Camp delivers daily. Similarly, the highest-rated international obesity management guidelines now consistently emphasize an individualized, multidisciplinary approach combining dietary changes, behavioral support, and physical activity, which is the framework Premier Fitness Camp has built its program around.
Adults ready to choose a program can get personalized guidance from the Premier Fitness Camp team. With a strong review profile and thousands of clients served, Premier Fitness Camp has helped many adults achieve lasting transformation. Call (888) 488-8936 or book your consultation online.
Long-term success in any residential weight loss program depends on what happens after you leave. Structure House recognized the importance of maintenance, and Premier Fitness Camp follows the same principle with a modern aftercare model.
Premier Fitness Camp’s post-camp support includes:
The maintenance literature consistently points to continuing support at reduced intensity, rather than ending support abruptly after weight loss, as the approach most associated with long-term success. Premier Fitness Camp’s aftercare model follows this pattern and keeps structured support in place while clients transition home.
The proof of Premier Fitness Camp’s aftercare appears in its alumni community. Half of annual revenue comes from repeat clients. Many alumni return year after year for annual resets because Premier Fitness Camp becomes their community. This sense of community is echoed in client testimonials. As Google reviewer Lin Vela put it: “I’ve been to Premier Fitness Camp 3 times because I am such a fan of the program! Their trainers are knowledgeable, inspiring and make hard work fun. The food is amazing!” Irene Tchaikovsky described her experience this way: “What began as a simple one-week reboot has transformed into a complete lifestyle shift. Premier Fitness Camp equips you with the knowledge, tools, and support to make meaningful—and sustainable—changes.”
Structure House focused heavily on behavioral psychology, using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) techniques delivered through an extensive seminar schedule, group therapy, and individual counseling. Its fitness component stayed intentionally lighter, with walking, yoga, and pool activities, while the primary emphasis remained on understanding the emotional and psychological roots of eating. Nutrition education came through chef-prepared meals and dietitian-led workshops on portion control and meal planning. The program operated as an all-inclusive residential facility in Durham, North Carolina, where adults could step away from daily life and focus entirely on behavior change.
Structure House’s historical weekly residential pricing varied, with sources reporting approximately $2,500–$5,300 per week, depending on program length and options, and the official FAQ states that costs vary based on several factors. Its primary program was a multi-week live-in curriculum, with shorter options including a non-residential reset retreat for approximately $975. By comparison, Premier Fitness Camp runs approximately $6,000 per week, all-inclusive, reflecting its luxury resort setting at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, more intensive daily training, comprehensive 17-point data tracking, and three spa treatments per week. PFC offers 0% financing for up to six months with no down payment, and multi-week discounts are available.
Historical data on Structure House’s weekly weight loss outcomes is not publicly available, and no verified weekly percentage figure exists. The program emphasized gradual, sustainable progress, consistent with its behavioral psychology foundation. Premier Fitness Camp clients with 40–70 pounds to lose typically average 3–4 pounds of fat loss per week. More significantly, PFC’s UCSD case study found that 94% of client weight loss was purely fat, compared with the 60/40 fat-to-muscle ratio typical of many dieting programs, which means clients preserve the lean muscle mass that protects their metabolic rate and supports long-term weight maintenance.
Premier Fitness Camp combines Structure House’s behavioral depth with modern, data-validated fitness training, nutrition education, and luxury resort amenities. Premier Fitness Camp employs licensed psychologists, registered dietitians, and certified trainers with bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The UCSD case study confirmed the same 94% pure fat loss highlighted earlier, and the program maintains high ratings across more than a thousand reviews. Where Structure House offered lighter fitness as a supporting element, Premier Fitness Camp delivers the same daily training volume described above across a wide range of activities, all adapted for every fitness level with a 3–4:1 trainer-to-client ratio. The “Think, Eat, Move” philosophy ensures behavioral health, nutrition, and physical training receive equal emphasis throughout the program.
Premier Fitness Camp stays start at one week, which provides a powerful kickstart and a full introduction to the “Think, Eat, Move” curriculum. Two weeks builds meaningful momentum. Three weeks is where habit change begins to solidify, and research on habit formation consistently points to the 21-day threshold as a meaningful milestone. Four weeks or more delivers deeper lifestyle transformation with significant, measurable fat loss and improvements across all 17 tracked health data points. Premier Fitness Camp’s average client stays approximately 11 days, and many first-time clients extend their stay on-site after experiencing the program firsthand. Extended stays of up to several months are available for those seeking deeper transformation.
Structure House pioneered a model that treated lasting weight loss as a process that must address the mind and the body together. Its closure created a gap, yet its core principles continue in modern programs that share its behavioral focus. Premier Fitness Camp carries that legacy forward and combines behavioral health, nutrition education, and intensive fitness training with luxury resort amenities and data-driven results validated by the University of California, San Diego.
Adults who valued what Structure House stood for, including behavioral depth, immersive community, and a focus on sustainable change, often look for a program that extends that philosophy. Premier Fitness Camp represents an evolution of that model. The setting is more expansive, the fitness more intensive, the data more comprehensive, and the outcomes more precisely measured. The core conviction remains the same: lasting transformation begins with understanding the whole person.
Adults ready to start that transformation can schedule a free consultation with Premier Fitness Camp to discuss goals and explore a personalized plan. Call (888) 488-8936 or book your consultation online to take the next step.