{"id":131522,"date":"2025-05-25T20:28:15","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T20:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/131522\/"},"modified":"2025-05-25T20:28:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T20:28:15","slug":"i-visited-celeb-approved-health-and-fitness-retreat-with-energising-workouts-delicious-food-and-stunning-scenery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/131522\/","title":{"rendered":"I visited celeb-approved health and fitness retreat with energising workouts, delicious food and stunning scenery"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cTEMPERATURE can be your friend or your foe\u201d, says coach Rick Parcell as I plunge into a swimming pool on a chilly morning in the Spanish countryside.<\/p>\n

When the shock wears off, I feel alive!<\/p>\n

\"Yoga<\/a><\/p>\n

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The celeb-approved fitness and wellness retreat is located in rural AndaluciaCredit: The Body Camp\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

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The spectacular estate comes with a swimming pool for cold dipsCredit: The Body Camp\"Olive<\/a><\/p>\n

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The property boasts panoramic views of the surrounding El Torcal mountainsCredit: The Body Camp\"Courtyard<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Body Camp allows guests to prioritise body and mindCredit: The Body Camp<\/p>\n

After a turbulent few months in my personal life, I decided it was time for a reset. And where better than a celeb<\/a>-approved fitness and wellness retreat at a stunning villa in rural Andalucia?<\/p>\n

While the idea of a traditional \u2018boot camp\u2019 conjures up images of army-style drills and harsh discipline, The Body Camp is an entirely different proposition.<\/p>\n

High-energy workouts<\/a> combined with a mindfulness programme empower guests both physically and emotionally.<\/p>\n

A focus on mental strength and eliminating negative self-talk uses a tried-and-tested Inner Technology workbook.<\/p>\n

So-called \u2018Weasel Words\u2019 such as \u2018can\u2019t\u2019 are banned. After a tough session, instead of \u2018sore muscles\u2019, we have \u2018sexy muscles developing\u2019. You get the picture.<\/p>\n

To the uninitiated, it sounds cringey. But there is no room for that here, I soon learn. Several days later, I would be hiking in a bright yellow tutu skirt searching for toy dinosaurs!<\/p>\n

A sign reading \u2018You are exactly where you need to be\u2019 greeted my companions and I upon arrival at the spectacular rural estate, which boasts panoramic views of the surrounding El Torcal mountains.<\/p>\n

The property, around 40 minutes from Malaga<\/a>, features ten lush country house bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. As I sat down for our first dinner that night, I was admittedly nervous about what I had signed up for.<\/p>\n

The concept of working out with, and baring your soul to, a group of strangers for seven days is enough to make even the most uninhibited person shiver.<\/p>\n

But non-judgment is a recurring theme over the week, and you quickly find your walls coming down as you connect with people of all shapes and all walks of life.<\/p>\n

I spent three days at a sleep retreat – these are the top 7 things I learnt<\/p>\n

Whether navigating divorce, bereavement, illness or parenting<\/a> difficulties, we all share the same common goal: to improve ourselves and cultivate good habits going forward.<\/p>\n

In a very artificial world, the whole experience is refreshingly stripped back. There is no make-up, no phones at the table, no alcohol<\/a> and no TV \u2014 just genuine human connections. <\/p>\n

Every mealtime, our name cards were shuffled around, allowing us to sit next to someone new and get to know them better.<\/p>\n

A mixture of high-intensity interval training, boxing, hiking, circuits, resistance sessions provided the perfect opportunity to push ourselves out of comfort zones.<\/p>\n

\"Zoe<\/a><\/p>\n

11<\/p>\n

Coach Rick Parcell provides unfaltering energy and supportCredit: The Body Camp\"Dessert<\/a><\/p>\n

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Set menus are gut-healthy, nutrient-dense, and deliciousCredit: The Body Camp\"Group<\/a><\/p>\n

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Group activities had us all in fits of laughterCredit: The Body Camp\"Bedroom<\/a><\/p>\n

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The villa features ten lush country house bedroomsCredit: The Body Camp<\/p>\n

Coach Rick\u2019s unfaltering energy and support had me constantly reaching far beyond the physical barriers I thought my body could handle.<\/p>\n

At one point, I found myself running laps of the villa in a weighted vest, feeling like an SAS soldier training in the Brecon Beacons.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s undoubtedly hard work, but the programme\u2019s \u2018full-immersion\u2019 ethos means participants engage in the workouts to the best of their ability \u2014 and we are all each other\u2019s biggest cheerleaders.<\/p>\n

Exercises can suit all fitness and mobility levels, but are still challenging enough to get your blood pumping.<\/p>\n

Most of all, we were consistently reminded by founder Kate Whale that it is supposed to be FUN.<\/p>\n

Dance<\/a> teacher Cass, whose infectious energy has you grinning from ear to ear, put us to work releasing our inhibitions during a dance cardio session as we learned choreography to the iconic 1980s hit \u201cLambada\u201d by Kaoma.<\/p>\n

And coach Rick cheered us on during an entertaining Arnold<\/a> Schwarzenegger<\/a> \u2018Muscle Beach\u2019 inspired weight training session under the pleasant heat of the Spanish sun.<\/p>\n

While the mornings are primarily reserved for sweating it out, the afternoons at Body Camp are dedicated to stretching, yoga<\/a>, and mindfulness.<\/p>\n

During a guided meditation, I even managed to lie still for 20 minutes, listening to the soundtrack of birds chirping and trees rustling in the breeze.<\/p>\n

GO: ANDALUCIA<\/p>\n

GETTING THERE:<\/strong> EasyJet fly direct to Malaga from Glasgow with prices from \u00a318.99pp. See\u00a0easyjet.com\/en<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

STAYING THERE:<\/strong> The Body Camp\u2019s seven-night full board transformational retreats from \u00a31,895 (based on triple-share room) until the week commencing September 20 and seven-night full board Deep Calm rest recovery retreats on May 31, June 28 and August 16 from \u00a32,200pp, (based on triple share room). <\/p>\n

Not including flights or transfers. Use code SUN10 to get 10 per cent off if booked between May 25-June 1. See\u00a0thebodycamp.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We were in safe hands with the wonderful Rosie, who reassured us that yoga is not about mastering fancy poses, it\u2019s about listening to your body and what it needs.<\/p>\n

And after burning thousands of calories a day, what your body most definitely needs is the correct fuel to maximise your performance and aid recovery.<\/p>\n

Ben Whale, The Body Camp\u2019s head chef, ensures that set menus are gut-healthy, nutrient-dense, and balanced with the right combination of protein, carbs and fats.<\/p>\n

There is a common misconception that healthy eating means green, bland, rabbit food \u2014 an idea that was swiftly quashed by our first sit-down meal together.<\/p>\n

The culinary<\/a> offering at Body Camp is delicious, colourful, and filling, featuring dishes such as Thai green curry, protein pancakes, chia pudding, and homemade \u2018Snickers\u2019 bars.<\/p>\n

A daily staple of three meals and two snacks a day means you are never too far away from your next feed. It\u2019s a far cry from the toxic diet culture that dominated the noughties, with no scales in sight.<\/p>\n

Caffeine is limited to breakfast only, and as someone who drinks coffee<\/a> like it\u2019s going out of fashion, I found I coped remarkably well keeping hydrated with flavoured teas and water.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

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We used the tried-and-tested Inner Technology workbookCredit: The Body Camp\"Woman<\/a><\/p>\n

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It turns out yoga is not about mastering fancy posesCredit: The Body Camp\"Person<\/a><\/p>\n

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I coped remarkably well keeping hydrated with flavoured teas and waterCredit: The Body Camp<\/p>\n

The team ensured we had scheduled downtime every evening for relaxation, while group activities had us all in fits of laughter as we tried to work out what unit of speed a computer mouse is measured in \u2014 it\u2019s a mickey.<\/p>\n

There were tears, too. What started as a mishmash of strangers making small talk turned into group therapy<\/a> by the week\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

During one exercise, we all sat in silence, writing a letter to ourselves that reinforced all the positive affirmations we had learned during the week. These letters will be posted to us in six months\u2019 time.<\/p>\n

The Body Camp really allows you to take stock of your life in the best way, while challenging the limiting beliefs you hold about yourself.<\/p>\n

Read more on the Scottish Sun<\/p>\n

It reminds you how capable you are in the moments when you feel like throwing in the towel, and I left feeling toned and energised, with a bunch of new pals.<\/p>\n

My advice: take the plunge and book a week at The Body Camp!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u201cTEMPERATURE can be your friend or your foe\u201d, says coach Rick Parcell as I plunge into a swimming…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":131523,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4322],"tags":[443,1630,444,105,218,8921,104,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-131522","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fitness","8":"tag-diet-nutrition-and-weight-loss","9":"tag-fitness","10":"tag-fitness-and-exercise","11":"tag-health","12":"tag-mental-health","13":"tag-section-travelnews-travel","14":"tag-spain","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131522","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131522"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131522\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131523"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131522"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131522"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131522"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}