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It was 9 in the morning, the music boomed, the room was dark and streaked with a moody blue light. My body was filled with adrenaline, my eyes focused as I drew my elbow back and threw my clenched fist into the darkness, making contact with a mighty blow that reverberated within me.
Still, this wasn’t a 24-hour spree going south with drunken brawlers. Rather, I was reporting for duty at a boutique boxing studio in Jersey—a fitness trend that’s all the rage among the island’s smart set right now.
In the dim light, I could make out an exercise mat, dumbbells, a weighted ball, and a row of large, long leather sandbags hanging next to neat, lycra classmates like mine. A loud “ding ding!” We took action when an instructor shouted instructions; “50 straight punches! 50 body punches! 10 squats!”
I was there to try a new “box and detox” style wellness retreat spearheaded by St Helier’s The Club Hotel & Spa in partnership with next-door neighbor BoxinBusiness, owned by a father and son, Alan and Ben. Murray – as far as you can imagine from the traditional sweaty spit and sawdust boxing club (plus, the hotel’s chiropractor has the expertise to soothe persistent pain).
What’s more, while a two-night detox retreat is billed as a wellness break, there is absolutely no fasting. In fact, quite the opposite, as the hotel is home to Jersey’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, Bohemia – where local produce is partnered with seasonal ingredients on a menu created by chef Callum Graham – and an indulgent evening there during your stay is heartily encouraged. .
Boxing as a form of exercise was not entirely new to me: I first engaged briefly with a personal trainer, followed by some classes held at a park in South London a few years ago – I realized that it just wasn’t perfect. It’s a full-body and cardio workout, but a tremendously good outlet for tension, a real punching bag for life’s woes. This time, I was punching my suppressed rage caused by two terribly unreliable builders at home, and feeling better with each hit.
“Ding Ding!” – the bell led us to another round, this time with a few timed planks. I threw myself on the mat and pulled myself up as fast as I could, and – although I was quickly used to it by my classmates – I found myself surprised not only to enjoy myself but also to be proud of it. I’m roughly twice the age of most of the others, and there’s something very powerful about boxing – even in slow motion.
After class, we drank protein shakes at the bar, more like a Notting Hill health shelter than a boxing joint, designed to relieve post-workout pain. I was amazed how much I remember my one-on-one hour with a BoxinBusiness personal trainer (included) the other day, and I was so excited by my newfound confidence that I decided to find one. A similar boutique boxing scheme was established as soon as I got home.
After each boxing session, I didn’t need much persuasion to accept the hotel’s suggestion of swimming in the saltwater pool to help repair my muscles—or indeed the hours-long rejuvenating massage, but firmness, that is included in the package. I calmed down and fell asleep. With the pool all mine, I swam staring at the massive statement wall covered by a backlit painting of Les Minquiers, the stunning white-sand offshore reef between Jersey’s south coast and France’s Brittany. weekend at home
This was my first visit to Jersey, an island that I’ve always considered a bit of an enigma, and I must admit I expected nothing more than a beautiful tax haven filled with the wealthy and retirees. As anyone who has explored this little island alike will know, it’s full of history, beaches (you’re never more than 10 minutes from the sea), shopping (lower prices on many luxury brands, plus some fabulous one-off boutiques) and even a Victorian indoor market.
On a cold, wonderfully sunny winter morning, I took a brisk walk beyond St Helier harbor to St Aubin’s Bay for a coffee at La Frigate (lafregatejersey.com), which overlooks Elizabeth Castle and the vast white sands. The Jersey Museum (jerseyheritage.org) is where there is an amazing film that chronicles the history of the island from the Ice Age to the present through the French occupation 600 years ago. As a French fan, during my stay I was fascinated by how French the island still feels, with many roads still having French and Jèrriais names, Gallic-inspired food, and scenery that could almost be Brittany.
And of course there are restaurants. Jersey is a paradise for food (and especially seafood) lovers like me, and the true genius of joining a fasting-free fitness retreat in a place like this is that it sets you free to waste your time. – time to graze your way guilt-free on the island.
With that in mind, I decided that every moment not spent beating a punching bag would be spent punching the sidewalks in search of quality local food.
And my efforts proved fruitful – at Brasserie Colmar (colmar.je), I feasted on luxurious lobster soup and the proper crunchy baguette; At the hipster Yard Cafe at the Jersey Museum (facebook.com/theyardjersey), at Jersey Royals infused with excellent flaked cod and seaweed, at The Moorings, a stylish hotel-restaurant owned by a Jersey and Norwegian couple (themooringshotel.com ), fresh sea bass with sea bass and pea puree, as well as idyllic Grouville oysters with their intensely pickled sweetness and delicious scallops. I will suffice to say that the appetite I had in the boxing studio was never insatiable.
By the end of my three-day stay, I felt healthy, revitalized and completely zen – full of excitement of discovering a new place, physically and mentally empowered, filled with the fresh sea air and completely seduced by this little wonder. it must be said, the island that punches way above its weight.
Sudi Pigott was a guest of The Moorings Hotel (themooringshotel.com), BoxinBusiness (boxinbusiness.com) and The Club Hotel & Spa (01534 876500; theclubjersey.com), for which the two-night Box & Detox package is priced at £679. £889 in low season and high season, based on two adults sharing. EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies to Jersey from £67 return.
