When you hear Body Camp you might think, like my initial thoughts, intimidating army-based fitness drills, hunger and an intense week where weight loss is at the top of the agenda.
However, my initial perceptions couldn't have been more wrong. The Body Camp is a holistic lifestyle transformation; you will not only improve your health but you will reframe ways you think to ensure a better body and mind connection.
A week at the Body Camp is no quick-fix, you'll get fitter and stronger but you will also leave with simple learnings that you can integrate into your daily routine well beyond leaving the Body Camp retreat gates, with incredibly fond memories to take home too.
My experience at The Body Camp in a word was 'heartwarming' - the very best investment you could make for your mind and body - let me explain why...
Based in Sencelles Mallorca, a quick 40m taxi from Palma airport, you arrive through the Body Camp gates down a rubbled path to a large private site set in the heart of rural Mallorca. You are immediately welcomed with warmth from the wonderful team, which immediately puts you at ease as a solo traveller.
You quickly realise that there is lots on site to keep you busy over the week ahead; a pool, outdoor workout frames, running routes, boxing areas, a fully kitted out gym and a beautiful calming yoga studio.
There are a number of different room options on site, whether you wish to book into an economical shared room or go for a more luxurious new VIP studio room there is something for everyone and every budget. The rooms are the perfect level of rustic luxury, great to retreat back to after a long day.
The fitness programme is led by Rick Parcell and Anthony Richmond, both of which have this incredibly infectious energy. They have this special ability to make exercise fun, a perfectly paired duo who will have you laughing as you burpee.
Through the week you will have a varied range of classes whether it be resistance-based, HIIT led circuits, boxing or flipping tyres. Each day was structured often with a morning exercise and pre lunch exercise followed by an afternoon activity whether that be a cooking class with Ben Whale, more on the wonderful food to follow... or mindful classes learning the '10x Doctors' with Rick.
One thing that was immediately clear to me was that fitness was inclusive for all. It was never intimidating and no one was left behind no matter your age or ability. Instead, you stick together with your partner/s throughout challenges, gaining both natural endorphins and a stronger team bond.
Beyond circuits and boxing there were Yoga classes hosted under the Mallorcan sun or within the calming Yoga studio. These classes were a perfect way to compliment the work outs, to stretch out and wind down with breathwork for moments of calm.
I want to give a special mention to cold water therapy that was integrated into the week's activities. Cold water therapy has a number of benefits whether it be reducing muscle pain and stiffness, improving blood pressure or boosting the immune system, all of which in turn improve your wellbeing and can even support mental health. For this activity, we awoke early as the sun was coming up to get ourselves psyched up for the Wim Hof experience ahead; we had a bucket of ice water poured over our heads followed by swimming lengths of the cold water pool. I reached deeply for mental strength in this challenge, it was a whole new experience for me but incredibly rejuvenating and of course we were supported every swim of the way by Rick and Anthony who kept our spirits high.
Most days were based at camp, but we explored the beautiful Mallorcan island via a local (silent) hike and a bike ride into the local village. The silent hike was another new experience, it offered an opportunity to be immersed in nature and mute the internal chatter that so often consumes our daily routine. It was incredibly therapeutic, even emotional for some, as silence enables you to feel mental clarity and be more in touch with what you really want. The cheapest and most accessible therapy you could ever try, give this a go!
I personally love plant-based food but nutritional Head Chef Ben Whale's iconic 100% plant based menu was full to the brim with flavour and gave me a whole new perspective of what is possible with plant based ingredients. Ben's innovative approach left my body feeling clean and detoxified, with an abundance of energy. His style is simple, food is both medicine and fuel- gut health, nutrient-dense, unprocessed food, and no sugars are at the core of the menu.
Ben's passion was inspiring, he hosted cooking classes throughout the week to teach us his hero recipes in order to take useful tips home. He was a fountain of knowledge about topics like fermented foods and mushrooms, so much so that he has launched his own business, Umbra Organics, selling Tremella and Reishi mushroom capsules.
I can assure you, you will never go hungry but you will look forward to each meal. We had three meals a day as well as afternoon snacks to keep us fuelled. We enjoyed food such as epic almond cookie dough protein shakes, Chickpea and Cauliflower Korma, Thai green curry with coconut rice, Mushroom 'scallops' and even sweet treats such as a chocolate torte.
For the coffee lovers, you are not forced to go cold turkey, you have a coffee in the morning with plant-based milk for breakfast but beyond this we drank fruit and herbal teas to ensure internal equilibrium.
To give you a flavour, there is a new book launch showcasing 30 favourite camp recipes including healthy sauces, dressings and even mini magnums to further whet your appetite!
A really lovely touch at each meal was that you were welcomed to your seat with an affirmation card which one person was nominated to read out to our fellow guests, this was a great way to reframe your thinking to a positive mindset.
Another element I loved, to ensure inclusivity throughout your stay, was that we were assigned seats at each meal around the table. This was a great way to encourage you to grow relationships with all guests instead of gravitating in cliques. You will find you build incredible bonds with your fellow retreaters through shared goals, vulnerability and teamwork so you leave with new found friendships.
In the evenings, after dinner activities included a Quiz night, taken very seriously with the temptation of a chocolate (plant-based, of course) pudding for the winners to look forward to. My favourite evening entertainment had to be the Bingo night hosted by Anthony aka Bingo Pete. His alter ego had us roaring with laughter, a brilliant team building exercise, with a competitive edge like no other! There was also a Karaoke night celebration on the last night, something I would normally love many cocktails down but this sober experience was liberating for us all.
On other nights you could watch a film in the movie area, retreat off early to bed or book yourself into treatments from Body Camp’s carefully selected holistic game changing therapy list. From sound healing to reiki, reflexology to global leading facialist Vanda Serrador or even mystic healing – they have it all to make a Body Camp stay truly life-transforming.
They are really clever at Body Camp Mallorca, subtly teaching us ways to carry things we learned home so we can enjoy our health well beyond our time in Mallorca.
Whether it be incorporating daily movement, reducing mindless scrolling, changing perspectives 'did it happen to you or for you' thinking about yo3ur values deeply or incorporating the '10 doctors into your lifestyle' there are many attainable healthy habits you can hold onto as well as easy negative habits to break once home with the new positive perspective you gain. You will leave feeling so healthy with a new shifted mindset so that alone is encouragement to keep going on your healthy journey.
This year, if you are looking for a more spiritual and intensified fitness week, the Body Camp’s team are bringing their infamous “Iconic Ibiza Programme” to Mallorca for two weeks in July. Expect breathwork, burning ceremonies, dynamic stretching and mobility, guided meditations, shamanic healing, energy work, and workshops on spiritual living.
Body Camp Mallorca opens April 7 and runs through until the end of September. Prices for a week’s stay start from £1,650 (runs Friday-Friday), which includes the programme, accommodation and all food and drink. www.thebodycamp.com.
Vueling, EasyJet and BA fly daily to Mallorca. Flights and transfers to camp not included.
Peruse more of the best hotels in Mallorca or save on your Body Camp flights with these Jet2Holidays discount codes and EasyJet discount codes.
