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This summer, DOSE was invited to work hard and play hard at W Verbier for their FUEL Weekend – an exclusive fitness and party with top fitness experts in five-star luxury. Workouts by day, Rosé by sunset, all while basking in the glory of Mother Nature. Our kind of retreat. We sent Kate along to fly the flag for the team. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it…
I have always longed to visit Switzerland, and what better way to christen my first experience than with a thrilling mountain fitness retreat.
After landing, we hopped on the train and began our journey to the resort, taking in the stunning views of the alps and Lake Geneva on route. Once at the hotel, we were greeted by friendly staff and taken to our rooms, each one offering views of the mountains and welcome packs for the weekend (a hat, t-shirt, gym bag, protein bars and a bottle of wine, to balance it out of course) – already I was blown away and the retreat hadn’t even started…
Each morning we fuelled up at breakfast – smoothies, eggs you name it – the works! We’d be given the itinerary for the day and the opportunity to pick and plan what we wanted to do.
We could participate in as much or as little as we liked. With so many trails to be explored and views to be seen, I ticked the lot! Think masterclasses, hikes, obstacle courses on top of a mountain – how could I say no?! It was absolute heaven.
The team were incredibly accommodating and ensured everyone did everything they wanted to do without restriction – this really was the whole ethos of the retreat. No tight schedule to stick to and all the activities were located around/near the hotel resort, meaning you could detox and retox whenever you felt like it.
The days were filled with HIIT workouts including mountain top sessions with Barry’s Bootcamp trainer Mr. PMA – Faisal Abdalla (you would literally be doing your squats whilst looking at the glaciers!)
Celebrity PT Olivia Cooney held spinning classes were held on the terrace – with probably the most amazing backdrop you can imagine!
Urban Gorillas beach obstacle course ran every morning allowing you to get a good dose of cardio.
For strengthening, core and flexibility, sunrise yoga sessions took place in the clouds, Paola’s Body Barre classes on the hotel terrace, and stretching with leading movement coach Roger Frampton using his ‘Frampton Method’. It was the perfect mix.
Our routes to workout would typically consist of either riding a gondola up to a mountain peak or hiking our way there. To be working out with top trainers in front of spectacular mountain views in the fresh air – you really did feel on top of the world.
But what would top this situation off? Following the detox came time to retox, with cocktails, canapés, and DJs each evening. Delicious healthy meals at the hotel’s fabulous restaurants and tasting sessions with Tess Ward, there were plenty of opportunities to fuel up and let loose.
As W Hotels are known for their party reputation, the retox didn’t disappoint. With a mixture of the altitude, the music and the Swiss sunsets – it was a pretty great place to be for the weekend. Plenty of gratitude moments on the mountains – it really was spectacular.
Each night we returned to our rooms to find a new chocolate on the pillow, a face-mask and a personal card of some sort – it’s all in the little touches.
So pack your favourite workout gear, swimwear and party clothes – you’ll need all of it. This is not your typical wellness retreat – it’s so much more. For the adventurous, the healthy hedonists and the party animals – this is the retreat for you.
Future FUEL Weekends in 2019 will be hosted in Dubai and Costa Rica.
Find out more here
By Kate
