Weekend Recharge: Inside A RWL Results Retreat

Founded in 2013 by reality TV ingenue-turned-fitness star Lucy Mecklenburgh, online fitness and nutrition community [RWL {href='https://www.resultswellnesslifestyle.com/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'}) has since branched out into retreats - active weekends to relax and recharge.

Hosted by Lucy and co-founder and head trainer Cecilia Harris, they are held at various locations around the UK and offer classes ranging from yoga and Pilates to HIIT and strength training. There are also seminars on nutrition and mindset, as well as time for treatments and relaxing.

Here's what to expect...

Day 1

After a lunchtime arrival at the Lifehouse Spa Hotel in Essex, the weekend begins Friday afternoon with an upbeat Dance Fit class. Our group's fitness levels range from total beginner to gym devotee, and the atmosphere is relaxed and inclusive.

Then it's time for exploring the hotel's spa and relaxing, before dinner – aubergine parmigiana, aka parmesan aubergine, then Stone Bass with spaghetti and vegetables (the retreat also offers guests a vegan menu). While the food is healthy, there are no hardcore rules - several of the group enjoy a glass of wine, too - before a talk from nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert focuses minds...

Lucy and Cecilia are on hand throughout, taking part in the classes (as much as Lucy's bump allows) and joining us all for meals.

Day 2

After avocado and poached egg on sourdough toast, the day's first exercise session is a high-energy drum and bass-themed class, concentrating on punching movements that soon raise the heart rate.

Before and after lunch (a delicious chicken salad with pomegranate and pumpkin seeds), there is time for treatments in the spa, or to explore the hotel's gorgeous grounds.

The afternoon sees Cecilia lead a Lift Like A Pro class, using relatively low weights at high reps – exercises incorporate weighted sit-ups and tricep kickbacks. It's deceptively easy to start, before muscles start to scream.

Yoga to close the day’s exercise is a dynamic session that puts balance to the test, before welcome mat rest with the instructor stepping round to massage temples with lavender oil.

After dinner – vegan lasagnetta followed by an avocado-based chocolate mousse – a group session with a life coach explores why we tend to think negatively (in brief, blame your ‘cavewoman’ brain that means we have evolved to look out for threats that might hurt us), plus the tools to help us thrive (serving others, and the power of positive self-talk).

Day 3

Following Sunday morning porridge and berries, the morning’s HITT (high intensity interval training) session with Cecilia is a blessedly short half hour – just enough to warm up stiff muscles before a buffet lunch with, yes, optional cake.

I leave the retreat feeling ready for my sofa - it's taken us through five energetic workouts in less than 48 hours, after all - but calm and refreshed. This is a friendly, down-to-earth break that won’t intimidate, that is able to cater to various levels of fitness.

The next retreats take place at: Champneys Leicestershire, February 7-9 ; Lifehouse Spa, Essex, April 3–5 ; Lifehouse Spa, Essex, July 24-26 .

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