Location: Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 3ET
As a personal trainer in London, I’m sometimes tasked with finding my clients a holiday destination which will encourage them to continue on their fitness journey rather than gain five kilos of fat. There are many fabulous destinations around the world which cater for health & wellness, but there is one right here in the UK which I thoroughly recommend.
Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, Grantley Hall (a fully-restored Grade 2 listed country house dating back to 1680, set in landscaped gardens) is a luxury 5 star hotel with top restaurants, a state-of-the-art gym and an exceptional spa. There is also a Japanese Garden to explore.
ELITE Gym
Aptly-named, this gym is spread over two floors and boasts a range of LifeFitness resistance and cardio equipment. In addition, there are gymnastics rings, an underwater treadmill for extra resistance, and 3D body-scanners which take thousands of measurements to build up an accurate picture of your body-composition and shape.
You can also make use of the advanced altitude training facilities, handy if you’re planning a trip up Mount Kilimanjaro any time soon. To acclimatise you for any Arctic expeditions, there is a cryotherapy chamber waiting for you.
Three Graces Spa
Boost your cardio fitness and muscular endurance in the 18 metre indoor swimming pool, and relax afterwards in the sauna or steam-room. There is also a snow-room to stimulate your senses. To relieve any muscle-knots there are treatments such as massage and acupuncture on offer.
After your spa treatments, nourish your body in the lounge with a nutritious juice or healthy snack.
Surrounding Area
Walking is fantastic exercise and all the more enjoyable when the terrain is interesting. Close to Grantley Hall you have the choice of Fountains Abbey, Brimham Rocks (184 hectares of woodland and heath and giant rocks dating back over 300 million years), and Studley Royal Water Garden to explore.
(Dominic Londesborough is a personal trainer in London and an online nutrition coach.)
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