Achieve your health goals – including losing weight and reaching new PBs – with our pick of the best fitness retreats this year.
From body-sculpting HIIT in Mallorca to hiking in Hawaii, these are the health-boosting and incredibly motivational fitness retreats we recommend, especially for solo travellers and first-timers who are looking for the ultimate inspiration.
Vedema Resort x Amoila Cesar, Santorini
Get ready to be put through your paces on this six-day strength and conditioning retreat; a partnership between Vedema Resort and Travelgems retreat company. The setting may be tranquil – tucked away within the beautiful medieval village of Megalochori in Santorini – but the experience is a transformative workout for body and mind. Run by the celebrity trainer Amoila Cesar, you can expect strength-boosting primal yoga flows, beach workouts and weight sessions for all fitness levels, plus optional activities including horse riding and hiking. If you want to unwind in style after your sessions, book into a room with a private pool.
Las Catalinas XPT Experience, Costa Rica
Highlights of this 3-day beachside retreat include underwater workouts, nature experiences, ice-heat sessions, surfing lessons, and gym training; a little bit of everything you probably haven’t tried before. Led by world-renowned surfer Laird Hamilton and former professional athlete Gabby Reece, you’ll also benefit from advisory lectures on nutrition, fitness, sleep, and stress. And of course, there’s the beautiful setting: benefitting from 42 kilometres of stunning coastal trails and waterfronts, Las Catalinas has become Costa Rica’s leading destination for training, wellness, and outdoor adventure.
Four Seasons Sensei Lanai Hiking Retreat, Hawaii
Proof that a hiking holiday doesn’t mean you have to sleep in a tent, Four Seasons Sensei Lanai has created a unique opportunity to hike the Hawaiian island, while staying in luxury. The six-day programme sees you take on up to four challenging hikes among the tide pools and tree tops – each varying in distance and elevation – while enjoying five-star experiences including private spa treatments, wellbeing sessions focusing on nutrition and mindset, an aquatic recovery session, and a gong-based sound bath. You’ll be able to eat your fill in style too, on a sensory eating experience – and there’s even a sunset sail on the itinerary.
Body Tonic at Lou Casteou, France
Bodyworkers at Cretan Malia Park, Crete
A laid-back resort with an eco-friendly ethos, Cretan Malia Park’s yoga and Pilates retreat offers a real recharge for body, mind and spirit. Hosted by German fitness studio, Bodyworkers, you don’t have to worry about repeating the same old flows; here there’s a wide variation of fun-first classes, including ‘HIIT Meets Yoga’ to help you try something new, as well as relaxing Yoga Nidra sessions. You’ll have plenty of free time away from the mat too, so you can explore the picturesque Cretan landscape that surrounds you, and treat yourself to a massage. Best of all, you don’t have to go without incredible food. Feast on an authentic menu with ingredients harvested from the hotel gardens.
BXR London Bootcamp at Edition, Turkey
Following the sell-out success of its award-winning fitness retreat at Daios Cove in Crete (trust us, every fitness insider raves about it), London boutique boxing gym BXR has launched a second retreat location, in Turkey’s idyllic beach setting, Bodrum. Bootcamp at Edition is a curated four-day training programme, overseen by elite coaches who will push you to your limits with cardio circuits, sunrise yoga, hikes, paddle-boarding, strength and conditioning classes, and, of course, boxing. You earn your rest, but can do so in style at the hotel’s state-of-the-art facilities including the spa, Turkish Hammam, infinity pool, and an exclusive beach club with private cabanas.
The Body Camp, Mallorca
With a reputation as a celebrity favourite, The Body Camp is one of Europe’s most in-demand holistic fitness retreats. Known for its Full Immersion Programme that lasts seven to 14 days, mornings are spent getting moving – whether that’s through boxing, circuits, hikes, treasure hunts or beach runs. It’s all designed to make you sweat (and to put a big smile on your face). You’ll have afternoons to rest and recover with cold water therapy, reiki treatments, and plant-based menus, plus evening games. Most of all, this is a retreat known for its camaraderie – where friends are made easily – and there’s a focus on building your self-esteem, so the only person you need to feel competitive with (should you wish) is yourself.
Paola's Body Barre, Mykonos
With her trailblazer blending of Barre, Pilates and Yoga, Paola Di Lanzo helped change the face of London’s fitness scene fifteen years ago, with the launch of her Fulham-based studio. Now, her retreats take the same philosophy and supercharge it and this year’s location is the beautiful Greek island of Mykonos. Like a holiday with fitness-focused friends, this is an experience built by women for women. It includes the signature PBB fitness classes (that you’ll love if stretching and toning your body is your main goal) and combines them with mindfulness sessions and beauty treatments. There’s even time for shopping, evenings out, sunrise hikes and a day off sailing on offer too – this is the perfect balance between holiday and retreat.
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