When you think of wellness retreats, images of spa days and yoga sessions spring to mind.
But if you’re looking for something to raise your heart-rate a little, wellness bootcamp might be more up your street.
Fitness fans can put themselves through their paces with military-style exercises, strength training and even getting dipped in icy water.
NewWave Bootcamp invited me along with eight other journalists to experience a taste of its holistic wellness retreat.
The residential bootcamp based in Brighton usually runs for five days and it’s designed to reinvigorate physical and mental wellness.
There’s an SAS casualty evacuation session to get your heart pumping – or, if you fancy something different, you can play beach volleyball.
Founder Jamie Richardson is the man behind the retreat which offers a jam-packed schedule in just five days.
The itinerary consists of sport and social activities, like bowling, as well as fitness classes, seminars and workshops.
A standard day also consists of freshly cooked meals with breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as three snacks prepared by their chef.
Our two-day kicked off with an eye-opening presentation with Kate Dennison, AKA the Happiness Coach.
The RMT certified life coach who is based in Brighton truly opened my eyes when she talked us through the Hero’s Journey chart.
She also taught us box breathing and helped us break the ice with members of the group with a practice called the Kundalini Eye Contact.
Her presentations were a huge highlight for me and I genuinely felt like I left having learnt so much in a short space of time.
Following her workshop, we completed a full body strength class, before we jumped into our swimsuits to face the chilly ice bath at the pier.
Before we got a taste of the Wim Hof Method we were taught about cold exposure, which I thought was quite cool (no pun intended).
Off we went and got into our horse stance, a practice which helps to keep you warm, then counted down the minutes to our slot in the bath.
Mathew Scott was our WHM instructor who had a calming presence about him which helped calm my nerves.
And it was the first 10 seconds that really blew my mind where I struggled to catch by breath, this I thought was exhilarating.
Next thing you know I had 10 seconds left and my fellow bootcampers were there to cheer me on with a countdown.
There are no words to describe how the ice bath made me feel so I guess you’re going to have to try it yourself.
It was the talk of the day as we wrapped things up with a delicious dinner followed by a competitive game of bowling.
This was a great opportunity to see everyone outside of the health and fitness bubble, because who doesn’t love a bit of competitive sport?
The great thing about the NewWave Bootcamp is that caters for every fitness level and it helps you find your inner warrior.
Also the location is absolutely perfect as there’s nothing like the fresh air of the Brighton pier…
So take it from someone who didn’t think bootcamps were their thing, this totally changed my outlook on it.
Not only did I learn a few practices from Kate’s workshops, it also opened my eyes to a different kind of training and the Wim Hof method.
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I even got to indulge in a sweaty boxercise session at 7am on Devil’s Dyke which is the highest viewing point in Sussex.
The NewWave Bootcamp is now taking bookings, for more details you can head to the official website.
Jamie said: “NewWave Bootcamp provides you with an action-packed week of instant-impact activities in the heart of Brighton.
“It gives you all the tools and support necessary to integrate everything you have learned at Bootcamp into your daily life; helping you to be happier, healthier, and fitter.
“A fun, no-nonsense approach to long-term transformation.”