Lake District Fitness Retreat: Lift, Run, Swim and Hike

Sessions are run in small groups at Fell CrossFit, and they're not one-size-fits-all. The gymnastics workshop focuses on the positions and progressions behind the skills you've been chasing, whether that's your first pull-up or stringing movements together. The weightlifting workshop is the same idea — the coaches look at your setup, your positions and your timing, then adjust the load so you're working at the right level. There's also a dedicated bodybuilding session, which is Jess's particular passion, plus several metcons and mobility work across the weekend.

The outdoor side is what separates this from a normal training week. There's a guided hike up one of the classic Lakeland fells, a trail run through the woodland and fells, a paddleboarding session, and a guided wild swim with a cold water therapy workshop attached. Chelsea is a Lakeland local and knows these routes well, so the hiking and swimming aren't generic add-ons — they're part of the schedule and built around the group.

Meals are handled: hot breakfast at the hotel each morning and two three-course dinners in the evenings, cooked to be hearty and nutritious rather than fussy. Lunches aren't included, but Kendal town centre is a short walk from the hotel, so you can eat out between sessions. Coffee comes from Fold Coffee, the sister company, so you're not short of a decent flat white.

The group is capped at a size that lets the coaches actually watch you lift. You'll be training alongside people who've signed up for the same thing — a mix of solo travellers and friends or partners sharing a room. There's no pressure to be at a particular level; the workshops are personalised, and the hikes and swims can be scaled to what you're comfortable with.

Professional photography is part of the package, so someone will be documenting the sessions and the outdoor days. You also get a goodie bag worth £50 or more. Past retreat themes have added extras like a sip-and-paint evening, restorative yoga and s'mores by the lake, and the exact additions vary by season.

What's included

- Weightlifting workshop - Gymnastics workshop - Bodybuilding session - Multiple metcons - Guided day hike - Guided trail run - Wild swimming and cold water therapy workshop - Mobility sessions - Private use of Fell Training Collective - 3-night accommodation at Castle Green Hotel, Kendal - Hot breakfasts each morning - 2 x 3-course evening meals - Professional photography - Goodie bag worth £50+ - Seasonal extras (past examples: autumnal sip & paint, restorative yoga, s'mores by the lake)

What's not included

- Lunches - Alcoholic and soft drinks - Additional snacks - Travel to Cumbria - Travel insurance - Personal expenses