Fitness Holidays and Retreats

A fitness holiday is an active wellness break built around training, movement and recovery. Programmes vary from intensive boot camp-style retreats with a set daily schedule to more flexible hotel-based stays where fitness sessions sit alongside spa treatments, relaxation and free time. The format depends on the retreat, but the focus is always on training well, eating well and recovering properly.

In Spain, Boot Camp Marbella offers high-energy outdoor training on the Costa del Sol with groups capped at 16, while Cap Vermell in Mallorca combines a Fitness Escape programme with five-star facilities. In Portugal, Shanti Som Algarve runs a dedicated strength and fitness retreat, and Longevity Health and Wellness Hotel in Alvor offers a Total Fitness programme backed by its spa and clinic facilities. In Greece, F Zeen Retreats pairs active wellbeing with an adults-only seaside setting in Kefalonia, while Tuscan Fitness combines hiking, yoga and strength sessions in the Italian countryside, and GI Jane Bootcamp runs women-only residential camps in Kent.

Phuket Cleanse in Thailand combines group fitness with detox and clean eating in a supportive, community-led environment. Absolute Sanctuary on Koh Samui offers fitness alongside yoga and wellness in a boutique resort setting. And for a more holistic approach, Kamalaya, also on Koh Samui, pairs fitness programmes with therapies and wellness consultations on a tropical hillside.

Spain is a popular choice for a boot camp holiday, with Boot Camp Marbella offering outdoor group training on the Costa del Sol in groups capped at 16. GI Jane Bootcamp runs women-only camps in Greece and Thailand as well as in the UK, while Phuket Cleanse and Absolute Sanctuary offer group fitness programmes in Thailand with plenty of sunshine and recovery time built in.

For many guests, yes. A boot camp removes the usual distractions and replaces them with structure, expert coaching and a supportive group, which makes it easier to train consistently and push a little further than at home. Most guests leave with more energy, renewed motivation and a clearer idea of how to train and eat well. The lasting value comes from carrying those habits home rather than from the week alone.

Yes. Many fitness holidays are fully inclusive, covering accommodation, healthy meals, all training sessions and often transfers, so there is nothing to organise once there such as Boot Camp Marbella in Spain and Phuket Cleanse in Thailand. Hotel-based fitness holidays are usually more flexible, with a set number of sessions included and spa treatments or extra classes available to add.

Yes. Many fitness retreat guests are women, and several properties offer programmes designed specifically for women. GI Jane Bootcamp is a women-only fitness retreat in Kent, with groups capped at 16 and around 85% of guests arriving alone. For a mixed retreat with a welcoming atmosphere for women travelling solo, Boot Camp Marbella and Tuscan Fitness are consistently popular.

Yes. Fitness holidays welcome all levels, from beginners building a new routine to experienced athletes looking for a focused training environment. Programmes are adapted to each guest’s current fitness, and trainers are experienced in working with a range of abilities. There is no expectation to keep up with anyone else.

Yes. Several retreats in the collection suit guests over 50. Tuscan Fitness in Italy, with its mix of hiking, yoga and fitness in small groups, attracts a predominantly 40+ crowd. Boot Camp Marbella adapts every session to individual fitness levels, making it accessible at any stage. For something more wellness-led, Amatara Welleisure Resort in Thailand and Chiva-Som in Hua Hin both offer fitness programmes alongside medical support and recovery therapies.

It depends on the retreat. Activities can include strength training, HIIT, functional movement, cardio, outdoor fitness, hiking, boxing, personal training, yoga and Pilates. Some retreats focus on one discipline, while others offer a varied daily programme. The team can help match each guest to a retreat based on how they prefer to train.

Yes. Many fitness holidays include access to spa treatments, yoga, Pilates, meditation and nutritional guidance alongside the training programme. Hotel-based fitness holidays tend to offer more flexibility for guests wanting a balance of active sessions and restorative downtime.

Yes. Solo guests are very common on fitness retreats, and the group training format makes it easy to settle in. The social, energising atmosphere means many solo travellers find it one of the easier types of wellness holiday to enjoy alone. The solo-friendly retreats page has more options for guests travelling independently.

Comfortable activewear, supportive trainers, swimwear and a refillable water bottle. Most retreats provide all training equipment and will advise before travel if anything specific is needed. Beyond that, packing as for the destination is enough — the team can advise at the time of enquiry.