THE HEALTHY LIVING OVERHAUL IN... IBIZA
WHAT? The Body Camp
WHERE? Sant Rafel, Ibiza
WHY? You need an old-fashioned kick up the bum to eat better, move more and be kinder to yourself
HOW MUCH? Prices start at £1,450 for a week* – includes accommodation, the programme, an hour-long massage and all food and drink; thebodycamp.com WHO? Kitty Dimbleby, WH contributor What even is Ibiza without the booze and beats?
Let’s not pretend that the White Isle hasn’t undergone a healthful resurgence in the last decade. Now, the hippy, wellness-centred north of the island is just as much a pull for tourists as the party-party south, offering a different sense of hedonism entirely. And after five years of holidays with young children, I was in need of something different – a trip I’d return from feeling fabulous and energised, rather than broken.
But isn’t an organised fitness retreat a recipe for feeling even more gnarly?
Not at the Body Camp, whose Instagram account I’d been stalking for months, convinced that their blend of fun exercise, expertly prepped meals and mindfulness guidance would be perfect for rebooting my good fitness and food choices. Unlike the traditional boot camp, this isn’t about weight loss – guests are there for rejuvenation. Not just of the body, but of the mind and soul, too. So, what’s the vibe like? It’s all about the core team – camp manager Kate, exercise and mind coach Rick and chef Ben – who are just the warmest, most upbeat and motivating people you could spend time with, without forcing their permanent good moods down guests’ throats. I arrived to smiles from my fellow ‘campers’ and sat down to a bowl of sweet potato curry as the sun set. The first of many delicious al fresco meals – mainly plant-based – enjoyed around the massive dining table. The villa has traditional white walls and epic views over the gardens and orchard and, in the distance, the sea. There are a range of bedroom options: from a luxury suite on the top floor with a balcony, to beautiful tepees for two dotted around the expansive gardens. Mornings begin early with a wake-up call at 6.30am for a cup of herbal tea. Every day is different, but you’ll average around four or five hours of workouts. I played tennis on
How many hours of sweat are we talking?
the villa’s hard court in fancy dress, boxed until my heart pounded out of my chest and hiked the Ibizan coastline with periods of silent mindfulness broken only by footsteps and cicadas. I swam and danced – working up a sweat in the heat to pop hits and loving every second. Even press-ups were made fun when done to a hilarious 80s workout track voiced by Arnold Schwarzenegger – the memory of his voice repeating ‘up and down and up and down’ still makes me grin. Exercise sessions were broken up by mindfulness talks, yoga, stretching, cooking lessons and luxury treatments. Do as I did and treat yourself to a full-body massage and an osteopathy session. But the highlight was paddle boarding not long after the sun had risen – the light made the water shimmer golden and I felt completely at peace. Are the changes sustainable? On our way to the beach one morning, we passed bleary-eyed clubbers, finishing their day as ours began. The contrast between their morning and ours was huge and I wouldn’t have swapped for anything. By the end of the week, I’d lost inches from my waist and thighs – but much more important were the gains: friends, confidence, strength, respect for my body and the knowledge that I needed to look after myself, mentally and physically, once I got home.