Not content with providing a whole host of spa day and stay pampering treats, there is another way to experience Champneys at Eastwell Manor with a membership that offers a whole lot more…

When the evenings are drawing in, the morning temperatures are dropping and the main thing you want to do is snuggle under the duvet, it can be hard to find the motivation to head to the gym, eat clean and focus on body and mind.

This was even more of an issue for me after being out of the gym for 15 months (I had a baby; I wasn’t under the duvet for that long, honest!), motivation becomes a little easier however, when your health and wellbeing destination is the newly refurbished, gleaming, tech-laden, and, pleasantly friendly Champneys at Eastwell.

And what a way to work out; you can head to the quiet ground floor gym where industrial ducting and dark charcoal ceilings meet gleaming mirrors and state-of-the-art technogym equipment.

The bank of cardio machines have touch screens and offer you the option of choosing backdrops to run against (the beach scene was my escape from the autumn drizzle), or personal TV screens where you simply plug in your headphones and run, climb or cycle away to whichever TV or YouTube channel takes your fancy.

The weight machines are smooth and sleek, and most importantly, simple to use, and there are also ample areas and mats for free weights, stretching and HIIT-inspired training.

As well as the gym there are also now a whole host of group workout classes, from the beginners’ level Stretch & Tone, to energetic Zumba, to country hikes that make the most of the local Kentish countryside and the popular Aquafit and Mitt classes in the beautiful pool.

It was to the latter that I coerced my guest to join me where we naively assumed we’d bob about in the water for half an hour and chalk that up as our ‘exercise’ for the day. So we donned our aqua mitts, which aside from making us slightly amphibious looking, gave us our first indication that this was going to be a proper workout, and instructor Georgie soon had us sprinting, lunging, and jumping our way to a full on sweat!

Members also have access to the hydro pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room – a great way to complete my workout.

And then for the best bit – it was time to wind down and what better way than to treat ourselves to a Champneys Treatment? Ascending the stairs to the plush and tranquil treatment rooms we sought out the signature treatments on offer rather than simply opting for the ‘facial/massage’ option, and I implore you to do the same.

I decided on the personalized Spa Heaven Cocoon, and experienced a delicate full-body exfoliation before being smothered in lashing of Champney’s Summer Dream body butter, cocooned in warmed sheets and towels and then treated to a soothing foot and a relaxing scalp massage – bliss.

So all in all not a bad effort for week one at ‘the gym’… this membership is certainly one that will be fully utlised!

Champneys Spa Hotel at Eastwell Manor, Eastwell Park, Boughton Lees, Ashford, TN25 4HR
www.champneys.com/eastwell-manor/

To find out more about club memberships contact Paul.Foreman@champneys.com / 01233 227137