GET THE BOOT ¦ OK! GETS A DREAM BODY THE HARD WAY IN THE ALGARVE.

The staff at New You Luxury Boot Camp and Spa are quick to warn us: This isn’t a holiday , as we prepare for a week of intensive military fitness training. She’s right – yet weirdly, after a week of 5:30am starts, back-to-back training sessions and 10 mile hikes we feel more relaxed, energised, mentally fit and glowing after any holiday sat on a sun lounger with a cocktail in hand.

The deluxe New You Boot Camp is located in the drop-dead gorgeous cliff-top location of the Vivenda Miranda boutique hotel near Lagos on the Algarve. It’s hard to imagine how they can combine the somewhat conflicting elements of luxury spa and boot camp. Will you be carried on a plinth around gruelling assault courses while eating peeled grapes?? Well actually, no. This is no soft option exercise-wise

– Whatever level of fitness you are, from super toned to complete jellyfish – the New You trainers will push you to your physical limits and beyond. The luxury comes in the sumptuous surroundings – huge beds, Egyptian cotton sheets, magnificent sunset views over a beautiful deserted beach as Atlantic waves crash against the shoreline; plus a team of masseurs on had to soothe aching limbs.

Chefs and nutritionists have worked carefully to produce food which is not only perfectly balanced and healthy, but also exquisite in its delivery. Dishes such as homemade granola, Mediterranean chicken with quinoa and turkey burgers with beetroot and red onion relish in a wheat-free tortilla certainly warm the heart after another hard day’s work. Portions are kept deliberately small, but because they are carefully constructed to provide long-lasting energy supplies…*