The BodyCamp, Ibiza is the brainchild of Kate Whale, her baby brother Ben and business partner Rick Parcell who after years in the boot camp industry, took all of their knowledge and the best bits of every other health retreat and rolled it into their own spectacular healthy haven. Since opening in March of last year, the camp has attracted celebrities such as Jodie Kidd, Melanie C, Millie Mackintosh, Rochelle Humes and Emma Willis, to name a few.
It’s situated in the far north of the island among olive and lemon trees and vast grass lawns overlooking expansive and peaceful views. The 8-room luxury villa was previously a party home, and as much as the BodyCamp offers the antithesis of Ibiza party life, there is certainly a huge element of fun here. Take the early morning kitchen karaoke for example and the trophies on offer for the winners in the week’s games. Each morning begins with a 6am wake up call, if not by the music coming from the kitchen, then the cock-a-doodle do from the local rooster will do it. Pre-breakfast walks are followed by cold pressed coffee and portion controlled breakfasts, think omelettes, superfood smoothie bowls and bircher muesli.
There is an open plan kitchen, where you will find resident BodyCamp chef Ben Whale (Kate’s brother). Ben has created all of the recipes and the food is simply delicious. There are 3 meals a day and two snacks (all outstanding) and you have the option to choose weight loss portions, or weight maintenance portions. Meals are mostly plant based with no refined sugars or gluten. You can opt for no dairy, no fruit and any food allergies or intolerances are accounted for. Portion control is key but you will not feel cheated, as the meals here are hearty, tasty, inventive and most importantly healthy. Ben’s knowledge of healthy food is second to none, not to mention his friendly, warm, informational kitchen manner (unusual for a chef) and he is happy to share his recipes during the nutritional cooking lessons on offer.
Team spirit is what the BodyCamp is all about and keeping active here is the name of the game. There is no shortage of energy from training and life coach Rick Parcell. His enthusiasm is contagious, when you think you can’t do another burpee or punch another left hook, his encouraging manner makes you soldier on. Exercise is fun, from the It’s A Knockout circuits (complete with wigs and fun gadgets), to the treasure hunt along the coast with homemade chocolates for the winning team and the pool games which involve races on giant inflatable crocodiles and unicorns. There are dance and capoeira classes too, where you can really let your hair down and burn calories at the same time.
Yoga and mediation are just as important to calm your mind, and treatments like Reiki and healing sessions are magical and can be life changing. Movies play a part here too, each night an educational movie gets played in the snug, and on the final night there is movie under the stars complete with healthy popcorn.
I know this may sound like hyperbole, but my stay at the BodyCamp was life changing. Their motto “Holistic lifestyle transformation” is pretty spot on, and not only did I lose 2.5KG, 3% body fat, 2% visceral fat and an inch around my waist, I gained a whole new perspective and a bunch of new friends.
For more information visit http://thebodycamp.com/
