The appetite for fitness travel is increasing and with a new wave of trips available for those looking to keep fit and healthy on holiday, there's never been a better time to get away from it all on a fitness retreat.
Fitness retreats offer much more than a few yoga classes or a bootcamp-style programme where you don't spend any time exploring a destination.
At the top fitness retreat destinations, you'll experience a total body overhaul while taking in the things you love most about travelling - the sun, food and incredible views.
BOOK A FITNESS RETREAT WITH MH
To inspire you to take time for your physical and mental health on a fitness retreat in 2020, we've answered all your questions about what to expect and given you three MH-recommended trips you can book now.
Will I Be the Only Man on the Fitness Retreat?
No. Forget the stereotypes of all-female mindfulness tourist groups. Research by Health and Fitness Travel found that being active on holiday is now important to 82% of people, while a separate survey* revealed that only one in 20 are keen on a booze-fuelled break.
How Much Will a Fitness Retreat Cost Me?
It depends on your destination and duration, but there are good benchmarks. A weekend fitness trip in the UK should set you back around £400; a week in Ibiza could cost around £1,500; meanwhile, a seven-day retreat in Thailand typically costs over £3,000. That sounds expensive, but these fees are usually all-inclusive.
Will It Get Me Ripped?
It’ll do more than that. According to researchers at RMIT University in Australia, a one-week retreat that includes educational, fitness and therapeutic activities along with a mostly plant-based diet improves everything from weight and psychological health to blood pressure.
What Essentials Should I Pack?
It’s not glamorous, but a kit washbag is a worthwhile investment, according to Faisal Abdalla, founder of the PMA Fitness Retreat. If you’re living out of a suitcase, keeping your sweaty clothes separate is crucial. Also, take recovery into your own hands with magnesium oil. You’ll be working out hard, so Abdalla recommends dropping some in your downtime bath to soothe your aching muscles and help you fall asleep.
What Should I Avoid?
Look out for labels such as “bootcamp” and “detox”. Industry insiders suggest that these signal a more frugal attitude and a different kind of clientele. People booking breaks of this kind are often looking for quick results and will treat the workouts and diet like a punishment, rather than an enjoyable health investment. “Fitness retreat” or “active break”, on the other hand, suggest you’ll still feel like you’re on holiday.
Best Fitness Retreats for 2020
Ensure your holiday gets off to a flying start with our pick of the prime destinations.
The Strength Temple, Ibiza
Run by one of Britain's top fitness and wellbeing figures Richie Norton, this spring fitness retreat aims to make you stronger, more mobile and more relaxed, with daily HIIT classes, yoga and weight training. eco-friendly retreat improves your performance not only in the gym but in the kitchen, teaching you to cook healthy food.
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Breath workshops will help you stay focused in stressful situations and improve your sleep, while stand-up paddleboarding and bike tours ensure you get to know Ibiza's beauty. BOOK NOW
Mike’s Gym, Marbella
This is, in effect, a training facility with rooms. Stay within metres of a gym that never closes and Europe’s biggest assault course. Over five days, you'll push yourself to levels you didn't know existed as you join MH Fitness Editor Andrew Tracey for workouts and technical sessions.
While it's one of the toughest courses in Europe, this fitness retreat comes with a relaxation room, swimming pool and the beach, where you can unwind between workouts. BOOK NOW
Men's Health Fitness Retreat, Sistiana
Head to Italy in spring for Men's Health's first-ever fitness retreat. You'll spend seven nights in luxurious surroundings at the Falisia Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, overlooking the Med, on a goal-focused trip.
Achieve your peak mental and physical performance with the help of expert trainers and a state-of-the-art fitness area. Expect a personalised wellness plan and cultural tours to explore this stunning corner of Italy. BOOK NOW
