Heath & Beauty - Free Fitness Library
Carrot juice and Lettuce leaves?
When challenged to think health farms, most will conjure up images
of donning dangerously ill-fitting jogging suits and desperately chasing
the persil-white drill sergeant through the early morning dew in search
of the questionable spoils...
a glass of carrot juice and a cold shower. It's not surprising that
such erroneous images abound, however, if you consider that, according
to a recent survey by IPC magazines only around 14% of the population
have dipped their toes in the health farm waters. So what exactly is
a health farm and what differentiates it from a visit to the local health
and fitness club?
We've checked out a few of them to see what it's all about. Surprisingly
enough, there are health farms that are suitable for everybody. It's
not just fat farm land! Many health farms offer very reasonable packages
to de-stress, unwind and pamper you.
Avoid places that claim you will lose a stone in weight within a week
- it's all a CON and only water weight. Go for reputable establishments
that offer a wide variety of programmes by highly qualified staff.
Before you consider going to a health farm, you should check out the following:
* Can you pre-book your treatments before you arrive?
* Be prepared - some health farms do not offer treatments on Sundays
* Is smoking allowed? If so, is there a special smoking room for smokers?
* Is the restaurant area non-smoking?
* Are non-smoking bedrooms available?
* Does the restaurant cater for your dietary needs?
* Are there alternative menus if you don't want to lose weight?
* Are detoxifying diets offered and medically prescribed?
Once there don't feel pressurised to buy beauty products you can't
afford. Once
de-stressed you are susceptible to spending your money.
You should be offered a good selection of exercise programmes from Step, Body Conditioning, Aqua to Power Walking, all taught by qualified fitness instructors, NOT beauticians. Going on a Toning Bed is a waste of time, these should not be offered as part of your exercise programme.
All good health farms should be offering an array of treatments, personal
consultations and assessments such as:
* Health service (BMR/cholesterol testing)
* Beauty treatments
* Beauty massages
* Fitness programming (fully staffed gymnasium & qualified aerobics
instructors)
* Wellness programmes
* Diet
* Holistic massage -shiatsu, reflexology
* Holistic and naturopathic treatments
* Aromatherapy
* Nutritional advice
* Stress management
* Relaxation techniques and Yoga
* Smoking cessation
* Body treatments
* Hydrotherapy
* Physiotherapy
* Floatation
* Sporting activities
* Disability access
Standards and costs vary. To find what you want you have to decide why you want to take this break. Every health farm offers various packages, additional treatments are at and extra cost. Once you have decided on what you want, see if the health farm of your choice provides a pre-booking advice hotline, such as Ragdale Hall to help before arrival. It is wise to think about what you want to achieve beforehand to make sure you get maximum benefit from your stay, it's easy to become distracted from your goals once you are there.
* Is it simply to be pampered?
* Are you needing real de-stressing?
* Is it a luxury break away?
* Do you need this break to kick-start a healthier lifestyle?
* Are you depressed and you want to hide away?
* Is work too much and you need a sudden pep-up break?
* Is it a girls fun weekend away?
* Are you are about to get married, preparing for a special event or
job?
* Do you want to shift a few pounds?
* Do you want to sleep for a few days?
Once you have decided where you are going, choose a health farm that suits your needs and purse. Health farms offer different price packages at certain times of the year, - they are full other times and they are desperate for your business.
If it's hard to choose where to go contact Healthy Venues, a unique
FREE central reservations and advisory service representing most UK
health farms. It has, in a relatively short time proven to be most successful,
saving people a great deal of time and money, and has already established
itself as the countries foremost Health Hydro information and central
reservation service. Healthy Venues are also introducing new venues
at the Dead Sea (Israel), Abano Terme (Italy), Malta and Cyprus.
Tel: 01203 690 300
You may be lucky enough to take a 2-5day break but time can be short. Many health farms offer 1 day visits ranging from Body days to Relaxation days. Hoar Cross Hall's packages start at £38 for a Relaxation day.
For Women Only - Lorrens
If you want a coastal health farm, then head for Lorrens in Torquay.
The only resort of its type, it also caters exclusively for ladies,
to whom it offers a stay renowned for pampering, relaxation, and NO
stress. As the emphasis is on personal attention, there are never more
than 20 guests.
A personal consultation and fitness assessment starts your programme,
together with facilities such as luxury beauty salon complex, gymnasium
and exercise studio. Dietary requirements are carefully laid out, enabling
you to lose pounds in as comfortable and restful way as possible. Another
plus about Lorrens is there is no smoking or drinking, a very intimate
place.
Tel:01803 323 740
Look North For Health
Nestled into the hillside above the delightful little holiday town of
Crieff in Scotland is Roundelwood. An ideal place to relax and improve
your health. All around are majestic mountains, leafy glens, beautiful
rivers and lochs which sparkle in the sunshine - it's idyllic.
The programme at Roundelwood tackles the quest for improved health
with a combination of treatments, diet, exercise and relaxation. You
can register for health courses which include: Slimming and Weight Control,
Health and Fitness Improvement, Stress Control, Arthritis and Rheumatism
Relief, Stop Smoking Therapy and Beauty For You.
Tel: 01764 653 806
Hoar Cross Hall
Built in the 1860's this graceful Grade II listed building has been
brightly restored to its original splendour. Hoar Cross Hall is no ordinary
country residence, within its ancient walls is the very best in health
spa equipment.
Using water-based treatments from hydrotherapy baths and blitz jet douches, floatation therapy, saunas and steamrooms through to the superb hydrotherapy swimming pool, state of the art gym and a choice of over 80 therapy treatments.
At Hoar Cross Hall you will have a pretty good chance at rubbing shoulders with the odd film star or perhaps even a Royal or two in need of rejuvenation.
Hoar Cross Hall are offering Active Lifestyle readers who stay a bonus
of £60 additional treatments on a 3 night stay between 1 June
and 31 August.
Telephone: 01283 75 671
Durley Hall
If you think you can't afford a health farm try Durley Hall in Bournemouth
set in its own grounds. Only 5 minutes from Bournemouth's renowned beaches
and town centre, and below decks leisure club with its array of facilities.
With a choice of 2-7 night breaks from £162, all offering a vast selection of beauty treatments, including manicure and pedicure all carried out by their very own Champneys trained beautician. All exercise programmes are tailored to your ability by friendly qualified instructors.
As if all that wasn't enough your family and friends can stay and enjoy
the hotels excellent facilities at the standard tariff rate. All pamper
breaks include full board with the advantage of many fun yet still healthy
choices for lunch and dinner.
Telephone: 01202 500 100
Inglewood
Inglewood is in the middle of one of the most beautiful rural areas
of England, with much to interest everyone. Newbury race course and
the famous Watermill Theatre are nearby, as is Littlecote with its Roman
mosaics and Cromwellian arms.
Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Inglewood was one of the great houses of the Knights Templar during the Crusade of 1108, and became the Royal Falconry in the reign of Henry VIII. In 1975, it was converted and rapidly established as one of the premier health hydros in Europe.
Inglewood offers an excellent array of facilities and even caters for the mother who desperately needs a break.
Inglewood has devised a scheme with the famous Norland Nursery. Just
two miles away, Norland provides care by qualified staff and each child
is allocated his or her own private nanny who is constantly present.
Telephone: 01488 682 022
Ragdale Hall
Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire offers you the ultimate in holistic self
indulgence, tending to emotional, physical and spiritual needs. From
a host of health and beauty treatments including the unique exclusive
Multi Method Massage where two therapists work on you at one time to
aromatherapy, Ragdale's most popular treatment.
It offers the most original exercise timetable - from Step to a Chinese
Wand class - Tai Chi with a 50 inch bamboo cane. It also offers 4 different
types of relaxation classes, Mitchell's Relaxation, Bensons Relaxation,
Progressive Relaxation and Stretch To Relax. Because of it's unique
services, Ragdale Hall attracts everyone of all shapes, ages and sizes
even the fitness fanatics.
Telephone: 01664 434 831
So, the choice is yours. There is a health farm that's ideal for you,
now all you have to do is simply make an appointment with yourself and
take time out of the rat race!