Four of the Best Fitness Retreats

16 April, 2018

Words by: Alice Mason

Holidays are categorically the best. Still, by day five, feet can become itchy, last nerves can be tread upon and the novelty of lying by the pool may have passed.

For those looking for a more focused holiday, fitness retreats are a great option. Reluctant or revved up, the structure of a fitness holiday actually makes for an almost chilled-out vacation - all you have to do is keep turning up, and the rest is taken care of for you. With personal chefs, a meticulously planned itinerary and a chance to work out without interruption but with plenty of encouragement, what's not to love?

Here are four of our favourites that we promise won't feel like like summer camp.

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Helios Retreats

Mykonos, Greece

This health retreat is a pretty great good balance of fitness and wellbeing, particularly for those who like running laps as much as taking naps (we mean shavasana – it still counts as exercise, apparently) Meals are prepared by practised chefs and served before 5PM with an aim to aid sleep and digestion. Afternoons are generally spent relaxing by the infinity pool, but this is not as idle as you might think – it comes after early morning of hill sprints. With an intricate itinerary planned out for you, all you have to do is choose which retreat you’ll be sweating it out in; we’re looking at you Mykonos.

Address

Zinas Villas Kastro Mykonos 84600

N/A

Go to website

This image is on holiday

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Training Places

Ibiza, Spain

Perched on the hills of S’Estanyol this suave and modern villa boasts a fully equipped rooftop gym, private pool and panoramic views of Ibiza and Talamanca beach. Here, your daily schedule is as comprehensive as the villas’ amenities. Bespoke training packages customise each aspect of your retreat to match your personal requirements and fitness levels. After your day-long sweat sessions, the retreat’s rooftop cinema will feel like the most heavenly reward before you repeat your arduous but invigorating routine again the next morning.

Address

Carrer de Talamanca Ibiza

N/A

Go to website

hotel

Lime Wood with Matt Roberts

Lyndhurst , United Kingdom

The Lime Wood Hotel, Hampshire knows how to catch our attention. Joining forces with trainer Matt Roberts – he’s coached everyone from Naomi Campbell and Tom Ford to John Galliano since being “discovered” by Faye Dunaway – his focus is on sculpting better bodies for his clients. With 14 hours of personal training over the course of your retreat, a tautened derrière seems increasingly plausible. As its Lime Wood, you can be sure there is luxury tacked to your labour – two massages and a daily lunch from Raw & Cured, plus full access to the Herb House Spa to unwind after a day of challenging your body to its limits make this even more worthwhile. Google “Naomi Campbell’s arms” and then book your spot ASAP.

Address

Beaulieu Rd Hampshire SO43 7FZ

+44 2380 287 167 Go to website

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The Body Holiday

Castries, Saint Lucia

Like Ronseal, Body Holiday does exactly what it says on the tin. To start, the menu is cleansing but delicious. Plus, there’s finally the time to relax, unwind and switch off that phone. Set in a colonial villa opposite the main Body Holiday resort, Villa Firefly offers guests a calm oasis to switch off and tune in to your body. With guest retreats throughout the season, we’ve marked Danielle Copperman’s nutrition and well-being retreat in our diaries. Comprising of energy workshops, Strala yoga, barefoot sunrise walks, sunset yoga nidra and meditation, this retreat is about letting go and tuning into you. Prepare for an onslaught of zen.

Address

Cariblue Beach Castries City Saint Lucia

+1 758 457 7800 Go to website