Healthy Holiday

Sweating it out during a fitness routine is probably not the best look to go for in front of your partner but, as it turns out, couple workouts not only work on your muscles but work on your relationship too! This is why acouples' healthy holiday could be the perfect option for you and your other half, or even a best friend, as you can relax and unwind whilst finding a deeper bond in your relationship.

by: SKINS

We all know compression sportswear is tight, but so is pretty much everything else we exercise in, so what’s all the fuss about? Can a little extra squeeze really fight fatigue, reduce the risk of injury, speed up recovery and boost performance?

The short answer to all of those is yes, and to prove it, here are a few fast facts from sportswear brand SKINS to help you get to grips with their high-performance gear.

Dr Michael Prager

With a reputation as one of Europe's most skilled practitioners of cosmetic medicine, London-based, German-born and internationally-educated Dr Michael Prager has perfected the art of the natural-looking, non-surgical facelift using Botulinum Toxin and Hyaluronic Acid based dermal fillers. His trademark approach - along with the safety of his procedures has led to Dr Prager becoming one of the most sought-after aesthetic doctors in Europe. He is regularly featured in the media including; The Daily Mail, The Sunday Times, BBC Radio, Tatler and more recently appeared on Channel 4's 10 Years Younger.

Absolute Sanctuary, one of Thailand’s leading health retreats, has announced a new collection of innovative wellness programs to add to its award-winning portfolio.

Looking to escape the daily grind to achieve your personal well-being goals? Absolute Sanctuary, a hidden wellness haven nestled in the exotic island of Koh Samui, has you covered!  Renowned for their holistic approach, guests are guaranteed a total ‘mind, body and soul’ transformation, instilling invaluable life skills for a healthier and balanced lifestyle.

Self-care and well-being have become top priorities in our modern world, where the allure of a juice retreat continues to grow. Embarking on a juice retreat and experiencing the goodness of fresh juices for a dedicated period to revitalise your body, promote weight loss, and embrace a healthier lifestyle is extremely beneficial for many reasons.

Is age really nothing but a number? With some people appearing to defy the digits on their birth certificate and boasting a much younger biological age than their chronological age, many of us would answer, yes.

The essential minerals in salt act as important electrolytes in the body. They help to balance fluids in the blood and are essential for nerve and muscle function. But too much salt can cause anumber of health issues, including high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. We offer our topnutrition-friendly retreats and tips for reducing your salt intake so that you can be your healthiest self.

Health and Fitness Travel Australia is celebrating our FIRST Birthday with a gift for YOU!

Sydney nutritionist, health blogger and wellness coach Jessica Sepel loves healthy living and traveling and knows that healthy living whilst traveling can be quite challenging so here she shares her top tips for healthy travel with Health and Fitness Travel:

What is Euphoria Retreat and who’s it for?

Euphoria Retreat is the dream, turned reality of the inspirational Marina Efraimoglou, a former chairwoman of a Greek bank. Two cancer diagnoses led her reevaluate her life and retrain in Chinese medicine, which allowed her to reconnect with herself and create her vision of a holistic and well-being destination spa. Here, the philosophy is centered on rebalancing the body’s energies and emotions of the five elements of Earth, Fire, Water, Wood and Metal; emotionally, physically and spiritually.

‘Euphoria’ is a feeling or state of happiness and bliss, and if your focus is to reset and rejuvenate in a peaceful setting, there’s no doubt that the holistic healing haven of Euphoria Retreat, within settings of historical ruins, is one of the best places to do so.

What is The Body Camp and who’s it for?

The Body Camp Mallorca is a group retreat which offers a carefully designed fitness programme, aiming to motivate guests to achieve their fitness and health goals by addressing current lifestyle choices and supporting you in changing your habits physically and mentally.

The Body Camp Mallorca is a group retreat which offers a carefully designed fitness programme, aiming to motivate guests to achieve their fitness and health goals by addressing current lifestyle choices and supporting you in changing your habits physically and mentally.

Welcoming up to 30 guests of all different ages and fitness levels, The Body Camp offers group activities every morning between 7am – 1pm with additional optional fitness in the afternoon for those who want to push themselves a bit more. For those who want some downtime can relax by the pool, take advantage of the incredible spa treatments or explore the island.

Most guests come for the full week-long experience (and sometimes more), although 3 or 4-day stays are also an option. Perfect for solo travelers, couples and friends alike, expect your stay to be filled with fitness, positivity, a delicious plant-based diet and plenty of laughs.

Getting There

Located in the heart of the island of Mallorca, there are frequent flights from the UK to Palma all year round. Being just a 2-hour flight away from the UK, The Body Camp is an ideal location for a week to rest your mind and body in a sunny and secluded location without the jetlag.

The villa is just a half hour drive away from Palma airport and approximately 45 euros. Check is between 4pm and 8pm but if you do arrive earlier, you have the chance to go into Palma and leave your bags in one of the luggage lockers and explore Palma’s picturesque Old Town, soaking up the culture.

The Hotel and Accommodation

Spread over 25 acres of land, The Body Camp is set in a rustic country retreat and is decorated throughout in a clean and simple décor. Offering 11 en-suite rooms and suites, there are options for different budgets for shared rooms or sole occupancy for those who prefer their own space. 

The house itself has a very inviting, tranquil and relaxing vibe that allows you to feel at home after an invigorating day of fitness. The living area has a cosy sofa and fireplace – the perfect spot for movie nights on the cooler evening, as well as an indoor and outdoor dining area which offers beautiful views of the Mallorcan countryside.

There is a well-equipped 24-hour disco gym and yoga studio as well as a hydration station offering a variety of herbal teas and deliciously infused water, to keep you hydrated throughout the day.

The Programme

A welcome dinner takes place on the first day where you will have the opportunity to meet your fellow campers, along with the chance to take your measurements and discuss your goals for the week.

The programme has been carefully designed to allow you to work different parts of your body and recover throughout the week with a mix of hikes, bleep tests, yoga, fitness and self-reflection sessions, as well as the cooking demonstrations and a Q&A on the benefits of a plant based diet.

No day is ever the same and the days plans are normally released the evening before with everybody working out together between 7am – 1pm and more optional fitness afterwards.

If you are after a fitness holiday in the sun, this is a great option! Contrary to the typical military style bootcamp that might come to mind upon hearing the words ‘fitness camp’ this is the total opposite. Anthony, the PT was the most enthusiastic and energetic trainer I have ever met, and he made it easy to forget we were actually exercising with his many dances and costumes. You’re encouraged to push yourself out of your comfort zone and work yourself to the best of your own ability; initially I had been worried about keeping up and pushing through the muscle ache but following the ethos of the camp to push the negative thoughts out, time flew by without realizing we’d done 4 hours of exercise before 1pm, and wanting to do more in the afternoon.

The Spa

The Body Camp offers a range of treatments which can be booked on arrival, from massages to ease out the muscle ache, to facials to supplement your glow, as well as access to healers to integrate yourself into the full experience. There is no spa as such, but rooms for the holistic treatments.

Food

Part of The Body Camp experience is the culinary experience led by co-founder and chef, Ben Whale. The Body Camp offers 100% plant-based and gluten-free menu with no refined sugars, with all dietary requirements catered for, as well as likes and dislikes.

Everybody eats together family-style, at set times with 3 meals and 2 snacks a day and the portion sizes are dependent on your goals which is discussed at the start of your stay.

The meals and snacks are all creative and beautifully presented and flavoursome. From guilt free pancakes for breakfast to the delicious Thai green curry, which was constantly reminisced about throughout the week.

There is no alcohol available although there is coffee limited in the mornings only. Throughout the day, you will spend a lot of time in the hydration station with a range of herbal teas and fruit infused waters.

The staff

There’s no doubt that it’s the staff at The Body Camp who make the experience. Greeted with a hug on arrival by Georgie and Lucy, I was made to feel welcome within seconds of arriving.

You can tell the staff are truly passionate about what they do and everybody pitching together with a ‘nothing is any bother’ attitude. With their infectious and endless energy, it’s hard not to giggle and dance along with them.

Highlights

• The food – The initial 2 days on the diet were difficult, which is completely normal stage of the detox process, but I felt completely energized after this. I learnt that the recipes are easy to make to do at home.
• The digital detox – you’re encouraged to keep phone usage to a minimum and it was nice to be able to appreciate my surroundings which is something I am now trying to do more back home.
• The exercise – Even on day 3, when my muscles were aching, I was able to push through the pain and carry on, something I hadn’t realized I could do before, and the week flew by far too quickly.

My Summary and Verdict

If you’re looking for a week of fitness in a fun, sociable group environment to spend with like-minded people, then there’s no doubt that you will find this at The Body Camp Mallorca.  Yes, there are a lot of press ups, sit ups and weights involved, but I can easily say that I have never laughed as much whilst squatting.

It’s no surprise that The Body Camp is so popular with celebrity fans including Caroline Flack, Emma Willis and Mel C. The Body Camp offers an idyllic setting for anybody looking for a week of fitness and relaxation in a fun, sociable group environment.

While the camp doesn’t offer extreme weight loss, be prepared to push yourself out of your comfort zone as the camp doesn’t just focus on your physical wellbeing but will help you learn to understand and improve yourself emotionally.

The Scenery and Surroundings

The retreat is set in a quiet location so I would recommend hiring a car if you wanted to explore the local area or beaches which is approximately a 45-minute drive away. You will also have the opportunity to borrow a bike and explore the local villages in the afternoons. Not all the fitness takes place onsite, and one of my highlights was the morning hike where you can take in the stunning scenery.

How to Book

To request a quote or for more information visit our The Body Camp Mallorca page.

Talk to one of our Travel Specialists on or contact us here to discuss tailor-making your perfect wellness holiday.

Fact Box

Tell us about the resort what makes it special

Lefay Resort and Spa is a unique and eco-friendly hotel, located in a truly beautiful and breathtaking location. It oozes sophistication, elegance, and although contemporary, it's homely, welcoming, and a relaxing place to distress and unwind. You can enjoy the wonderful views of Lago di Garda by day, and a bright sky full of stars by night.

The resort values are luxury, global wellbeing, staff wellbeing, sustainably, and Italian character.  These are embedded and embraced throughout the entire holiday experience in an authentic and traditional Italian way.

What is Shanti Som and who’s it for?

Shanti Som is a serene health retreat in Andalucía’s breath-taking Sierra de Las Nieves valley. Tucked away in the mountains, it’s ideal for anyone looking for peace and quiet, escaping the bustle of city life and hectic schedules. This boutique wellness retreat focuses on yoga, health, detox and weight-loss, offering time for total rejuvenation. 

Keri-Anne Payne

Keri-anne Payne is a British swimmer, specialising in marathon open water swimming, and long-distance freestyle swimming in the pool. She is a two-time World 10 km Open Water champion, an Olympic Silver medalist and the founder of Triscape.

Travel Specialist Manuel spent 48 hours at luxury wellness retreat, COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali and this is his snapshot review…

COMO Shambhala Estate is nothing short of spectacular! A world-class luxurious wellness retreat in Ubud, Bali with breath-taking views of the dense tropical jungle. The award-winning wellness retreat creates an unforgettable experience for their guests. Whether you're a wellness newbie and kick-starting your wellness journey or you wanted to achieve optimal health on a fitness holiday, your stay at COMO Shambhala Estate will help you to reach your goals and boost your overall well-being.

Mario Sella

Mario Sella, Wellness Manager at Ti Sana, Italy, grew up with a passion for science and physical activity that has led him to his role today. His childhood interest developed into an academic qualification, gaining a degree in food science and technology. A qualified personal trainer, Mario also studied and now teaches ancient oriental disciplines such as Qi Cong and Wushu-Kung Fu. Using his knowledge of nutrition and fitness, Mario oversees diagnostic tests, physical activity and, of course, nutritional plans to help guests at Ti Sana achieve their health and wellness goals.

Every year on Valentine's Day, our thoughts turn to relationships and so the longtime debate lives on—is it better to be married or single? Some say married life can be more meaningful, but others say singletons have all the fun. While the answer undoubtedly hinges on the individual, science has, time and again, weighed in through copious research to measure whether one is better than the other, at least for your health. When it comes right down to long-term well-being, which of the two paths fare better?

I've had quite a few spa experiences in my life but nothing quite so extraordinary as my visit to the famous Gastein Healing Caves in Austria. It was whilst I was on a wellness holiday at leading luxury spa, Grand Park.  One of their top physicians, Dr Liane Weber is one of the visiting consultants at the caves and consequently, Grand Park has the most fantastic Gastein Healing Cave Treatment Program.

We launch our new Discover Recover Holidays created for clients looking to combine the perfect health and fitness holiday with the very best in local culture whilst discovering the country. Choose your ideal destination from Thailand to India and Costa Rica to Croatia.