Time to put the boot in
Punch away the festive pounds on this one-night Boxing Boot Camp break at Champneys Forest Mere in Liphook. Not only is boxing a great way to burn off those excess calories, it’s also an excellent cardiovascular workout.
Technical sessions on foot movement and basic defence moves are combined with speed, agility and reaction work together with a morning run, skipping plus a relax and stretch class to deliver a fun and challenging workout that will leave you energised for the new year.
The lakeside spa has just had a major refurb so after the knockout sessions, you can unwind in the new Thermal Poolside Suite complete with tropical rain and cool-mist showers, an outdoor relaxation area with heated water beds and a heated outdoor Hydropool.
THE DEAL:
Arriving on January 19, Champneys Forest Mere Boxing Boot Camp break starts at £350pp including all meals and up to 20 fitness and relaxation classes (champneys.com).
Have you over-indulged at Christmas? Time to book a get-fit holiday. NICOLA ISEARD and MARJORIE YUE have found plenty to inspire you...
Scoffed one too many mince pies at Christmas? Sign up for the Longevity Cegonha Country Club’s seven-night Bootcamp programme. You can expect up to eight hours of workouts each day – think pulse-racing power hikes, cardio camps, circuit training and a testing TRX (total body resistance
exercise) camp. Cool down with soothing yoga, Pilates and Tai chi classes, and enhance recovery with an osteopathy session and massage to help relax tired muscles. Take time out to go exploring – the resort is located just a sweatband’s lob (or rather three miles) from Vilamoura, with its picturesque marina and sandy beaches.
The seven-night Bootcamp programme (between February 1 and December 31) starts at £1,600pp (two sharing) on full board which includes transfers from Faro airport. EasyJet fly to Faro from Gatwick, Luton, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol and Southend (healthandfitnesstravel.com/ 0203 397 8891).
THE DEAL:
What better way to kick-start your 2019 fitness regime than with a weekend in a beautiful Scandistyle lodge, set among the white sand dunes of Gwithian beach in Hayle?
This month Cornish Gems is offering a three-night wellness break which includes six yoga and meditation sessions and two wellbeing workshops (led by a health psychologist).
You’ll also go on a series of guided walks following the South West Coastal Path – so you can burn calories while taking in sweeping sea views. Afterwards, return to your lodge – a short drive from St Ives – which sleeps six in three en suite super-king bedrooms complete with a private hot tub, log burner and veranda.
Food is sure to be highlight too, with healthy and hearty meals such as baked banana porridge and Sri Lankan monkfish curry.
Available on January 18 and 25, the three-night half board wellness break starts at £390pp based on six sharing a lodge at Sandy Acres (cornishgems.com/01872 241241).
THE DEAL:
Soak up some Caribbean sun on a restorative break at the Energie Retreat Centre in Antigua’s historic English Harbour overlooking Falmouth Harbour. Just launched by personal trainer, nutritionist and masseuse Shayne van Beek, the island’s first dedicated gym and yoga retreat offers classes from pilates and yoga to kickboxing and belly dancing.
And there’s a chance to work out with a personal trainer in the state-of-the-art gym then soothe sore muscles with a Thai yoga massage (from £56 for 60 minutes).
THE DEAL:
Seven nights self-catering in an Energie apartment sleeping two starts at £959, including daily yoga and fitness classes and gym access. Massage, reflexology and acupuncture treatments (extra charge) can be booked. Flights extra. energieantigua.com
Sign up for a one-night detox break at boutique hotel No 15 Great Pulteney. Feel Prosecco-induced toxins escaping your body via three 60-minute Ila Spa treatments; you’ll be treated to a facial, massage and scrub, each focusing on relieving stress.
In between treatments you can kick back in the spa’s cedar wood hot tub, barrel-shaped sauna and steam room or sink into one of the comfy armchairs in the relaxation room in front of the open fire, sipping a herbal detox tea.
Afterwards, get some well-earned sleep in one of the hotel’s 40 luxurious bedrooms, complete with big beds, wall murals created by local artists and – for some – bird’s-eye views over Great Pulteney Street.
From £499 per room (two sharing), including breakfast and three spa treatments each (no15greatpulteney.co.uk/spa15/01225 807015).
THE DEAL: