Boot camp holidays: Become a lean, mean fighting machine on an exotic 'get fit' trip

Can you see your toes if you look down? And finally, look in the mirror – is the first impression a good or a bad one?

If your answers include any of the following: “more than a few seconds”, “no” or “bad”, then TNT is diagnosing you with chronic festive overeating. The cure?

It’s got to be a fitness boot camp. Obviously, no one wants to go running around in the freezing British weather at the moment, so to motivate yourself, why not jet off to one of these European destinations to battle the pudding-induced bulge instead?

The cycling holiday: Fuerteventura

Workout: Pedal off all those extra pounds with an intensive week of cycling in sunny Fuerteventura.

Elite Cycling runs a seven-night package that will teach you pacing techniques, climbing and descending skills, and group riding tips as you take on the scenic Canary Island roads.

The package also includes some strength and conditioning classes, and the resort has facilities for scuba diving, windsurfing, beach volleyball, tennis, skating, basketball and golf.

Stay: The cycling camp runs February 9-16 and is held in the bayside Las Playitas village, which is near a sandy volcanic beach, perfect for crashing out on after a long ride. 

Pay: £699pp based on two sharing.

Go: Fly from London Gatwick to Fuerteventura for £161 return with easyJet.

elitecycling.co.uk

The military regime: Andalucia

Workout: The Camp’s slogan, “Drop a dress size and get fit in one week,” says it all.

To do that, the instructors put you through a rigorous, military-style training week of activities that include stretching, boxercise, swimming, aerobics, circuit training and core stability work.

Think you could be doing all that in your local leisure centre?

Well how do these equally healthy, but more exotic fitness pursuits, sound – hiking in the Sierras de Almijara and Cazulas mountain ranges, and gorge walking at Junta de Los Rios. Thin-spirational, no?

Stay: The Camp is based in a country mansion in a village at the foot of the mountains.

The surrounding area is beautiful, with hills, valleys and gorges to feast your eyes on (since you won’t be doing much feasting in any other sense of the word).

There’s a big emphasis on healthy eating here, and you’ll be put on a personalised diet plan once you arrive.

Fitness weeks run January 26 - February 2 and April 6 - 13.

Pay: Prices start from £1350pp.

Go: Fly from London Stansted to Malaga from £59.98 return with Ryanair.

thecamp.co.uk

The boot glamp: Ibiza

Workout: It’s actually more bliss-out than workout at the No.1 Boot Camp’s sunny Ibiza retreat, where yoga sessions, massages and island exploring are the order of the day.

That’s not to say you won’t be kept busy with cardio classes and circuit training, too ­–  that belly isn’t going to flatten itself – but there’s also lots of time allocated to beauty treatments and shopping.

Personal training is also available for those who want to push themselves more. Camps run every week from January through to March.

Stay: Ibiza might be more associated with body-destroying piss-up holidays, but stay clear of the bars and clubs and you’ll find plenty of healthier pursuits here, such as hill-walking and swimming.

Pay: £1350pp based on two sharing.

Go: Fly from London City Airport to Ibiza from £259 return with British Airways.

no1bootcamp.com