Fitness

According to a new report published today by the respected medical journal Lancet, a lack of exercise can cause more deaths than smoking. The report said that physical inactivity in approximately one third of adults causes around 5.3 million premature deaths a year, which is more than the 5.1 million deaths that smoking causes. This comes as quite a wake-up call to those leading sedentary lifestyles and proves how important an active and healthy lifestyle is to increase your longevity.

Give yourself a much-needed cleanse on a detox holiday as you soak up the Mediterranean sun. Receive a specialised detox programme and enjoy dining on the fresh and healthy cuisine associated with this side of Europe. Whether you want to venture to Spain, Turkey or Greece, experience a variety of luxury spa treatments tailored to your health requirements. With full access to the fantastic spa facilities and group classes, you can further your detox holiday and unleash a healthier, brighter glow. After your stay, return home feeling renewed with a greater sense of body awareness and the knowledge to maintain a clean and healthier lifestyle.

The Christmas break may have gotten the best of you and your waistline but it's never too late to start your journey back to health. We suggest the best healthy New Year breaks to reboot. Fulfil your New Year resolutions to get fit, tone up, detox, lose weight or de-stress on one of our health and fitness holidays.

The Christmas break may have gotten the best of you and your waistline but it's never too late to start your journey back to health. We suggest the best healthy New Year breaks to reboot. Fulfil your New Year resolutions to get fit, tone up, detox, lose weight or de-stress on one of our health and fitness holidays.

If a break from your day-to-day routine frees your mind, body and spirit to see the world afresh, and fires your energy and enthusiasm to try something new, then we have our best special interest holidays for you. Ranging from learning to play golf or tennis to trying yoga or Pilates, and from mastering paddle-boarding to understanding how to manage stress; our best special interest holidays boast luxurious destinations across the world where you can try something new. 

Introvert or extrovert, Type A or Type B; we all know which camp we belong to. But how many of us are aware of our fitness personality? Studies by the American Council on Exercise have shown people are more likely to enjoy, be successful at and most importantly, stick to an exercise activity when it aligns with their personalities. Wonder no more, as we share the five workout personalities and highlight which styles of exercise are best suited to each. Whether you’re an introverted Planner that favours self-focused activities on a yoga & Pilates retreat, or a risk-seeking Adventurer who loves being outdoors on an active holiday, this guide will help you find your perfect workout match.

Dare to dream big as Health and Fitness Travel, the leading specialists in wellness holidays worldwide, round up 18 of the world’s best dream fitness retreats for 2015. Whether practicing yoga in Vietnam, perfecting your tennis serve in Cyprus or relaxing on a de-stress break in Ibiza; you will be spoilt for choice with a fanfare of healthy and active holidays in some of the world’s most desirable destinations.

Forget chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, what most parents want this Easter is an enjoyable family activity holiday. The 2013 Easter break is a good time to venture abroad as you can enjoy any type of fun-filled getaway from activity holidays in Mexico, sports holidays in the Caribbean to traditional beach breaks in Portugal or healthy holidays in Mauritius.

There are lots of simple, easy and fun ways to get an extra boost out of life and improve your health and fitness. You should start by simply being in nature and the great outdoors. Too many of us are hunched over desks all day and without natural sunlight. Top up your vitamin D levels by getting a burst of beautiful autumn sun as and when you can; fifteen minutes a day should get you feeling full of beans!

The 21^st century sees the majority of the people in the UK leading hectic lifestyles, that are not conducive to fitting in time to go the gym or arranging sports matches with your friends. However, do not despair, as Health and Fitness Travel has 8 sneaky ways to fit in some mini-bursts of exercise into your busy schedule.

Sunrise meditation, beachside Tai Chi, mud baths at Sulphur springs and healthy cookery demonstrations are just some of the treats in store at the annual Health & Wellness Retreat in Saint Lucia. Running from October 4th - 7th this year, the four day retreat will take place in some of Saint Lucia's most spectacular and picturesque spots from Pigeon Island National Park in the north to the World Heritage Pitons in the south of the island. Saint Lucia has a reputation as a tranquil, rejuvenating and even spiritual destination, with a number of resorts widely recognised for their world-class spa and wellness programs. The exciting and unique program will be led by renowned experts in the wellness field including: 

Looking to stay fit, boost your self-esteem and get moving in the outdoors? Look no further than one of our tennis holidays that allow you to make the most of this low-impact sport that can be enjoyed at any age. Whether you want to play competitively, for your health or just for fun, tennis has great benefits for the mind and body. Along with all the common benefits associated with being active, playing regular tennis helps to enhance your flexibility, co-ordination and balance and improves the body's ability to synchronise controlled movements.

Whether you want to get away for a short relaxing spa break or are looking to mix and match healthy activities on one of our Fusion Fitness Holidays; why not embrace the beauty of the natural world and escape to the mountains on a wellness retreat.

Daniel DeMoss is a trainer based in Denver (Matrix Gym) and a true fitness expert. He has a master's degree in physical therapy from NYU Steinhardt.

Your Dad deserves more than a jar of sweets and pairs of socks this Father's Day. Why not buck the trend this year and celebrate Father's Day by whisking Dad away somewhere special? Treat him to a one of our handpicked best dad holidays and show him how much you really care. With a range of getaways for active dads, sporty dads and thrill-seeking dads, you can give your old man a fun filled break that he'll never forget. With access to world-class facilities from championship-sized golf courses to indoor and outdoor tennis courts, choose a break designed around his favourite pastimes. Our Father's Day gift ideas are the perfect way to say thanks to Dad.

Are you looking for a luxury wellness holiday, dedicated to improving and deepening your Pilates practice? Then you won’t want to miss COMO Pilates Retreat, held at Como Shambhala Estate in Bali this October.

Forget quick-fix diets as healthy living starts with an active routine. The 'Fit not Thin' campaign from The Sunday Times is all about being fit and healthy instead of just thin. This is something that Health and Fitness Travel firmly believes in and is present throughout all our healthy holidays, as we focus on a holistic wellness approach that comes from both inside and out. Being fitter and healthier will benefit all aspects of your life; you'll feel more energetic, stronger, healthier and less stressed.

Forget quick-fix diets as healthy living starts with an active routine. Health and Fitness Travel firmly believes in fit not thin and this is present throughout all our healthy holidays, as we focus on a holistic wellness approach that comes from both inside and out. Being fitter and healthier will benefit all aspects of your life; you'll feel more energetic, stronger, healthier and less stressed.Beauty is not a tiny waist, but a feeling that comes from within and radiates out.

Sean Carey

Sean Carey is the Fitness and Lifestyle trainer at Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui, Thailand. Sean, originally from the UK is not only a certified Fitness trainer but also a Yoga and Pilates teacher. He believes that exercise training all comes down to body awareness regardless of what our goals may be. Once we understand what is entailed to achieve results then the probability of the goal being achieved is greatly increased. Sean says one method of exercise might be right for the one person but a different method may be required for another, and this can only be realised through body awareness.