Fitness
Keeping fit with Aqua Gym in Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – Aquagym is big, it’s happening. It is fun to do and suitable for all ages. It is also available as one of the many exercise classes at many top hotels around the globe.
However, if you want to practice Aqua Gym in the Maldives, there’s one clear winner : The Kanuhura island resort!
So whether you are 27 or 77 this could be the perfect scenario for you : an exercise program that will leave you in tip-top condition.
Keeping fit while on holiday provides an ideal way to start your day. If you want to feel fit and healthy on your holiday in the Maldives, Hotel Kanuhura provides Aqua Gym classes in the main swimming pool with views overlooking the Indian Ocean.
What’s so good about Aqua Gym ?
Aquagym is becoming increasingly popular and is the preferred choice of exercise for guests. Your body’s mass is reduced in water and therefore there is less stress on the joints and few muscular problems. It is practiced in pleasant surroundings and accompanied by catchy rhythms. Aqua Gym gets you into the water and among other people. That can only be a good thing.
There are more benefits too. When you are in the water no one can see if you mess up the moves a little so there’s no pressure to perform. Plus you can go at a pace that suits you.
A workout that keeps you cool
Another benefit is the cooling effect of water on the system. The average temperature in the pool will force the body to burn calories while remaining cool and comfortable, with noticeably less sweat.
Aqua Gym is not only good for cardio-vascular and muscular exercise. It is also beneficial to your lymphatic and internal organs. This explains why you feel so refreshed after working out in the water. Not only that, Aqua Gym will put you in the perfect frame of mind for the rest of your day.
There are plenty of fitness exercises available to try at the Kanuhura resort in the Maldives, ranging from yoga to tennis, volleyball to snorkelling, but one of the best by far is Aqua Gym. It is a total workout experience that won’t leave you hot and bothered.
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Holistic journeys at One&Only Reethi Rah: Year of global wellness expertise
One&Only Reethi Rah invites guests to continue their wellness journey at the renowned One&Only Spa, which has recently received a prestigious five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide — the first and only spa in the Maldives to earn this recognition. Surrounded by tropical greenery, the spa offers a tranquil retreat where ancient healing practices meet modern techniques, providing tailored treatments that promote lasting wellbeing.
Throughout the year, One&Only Reethi Rah has hosted leading international wellness practitioners, and the remainder of 2025 will feature an inspiring series of experiences guided by acclaimed experts. From holistic therapies and Ayurveda to Pilates, yoga, Barre, and CrossFit, each visiting specialist brings unique expertise and methodology to the island, delivering highly personalised sessions designed around each guest’s individual needs.
Beginning in October, Ayurveda specialist Dr Shreejit Ghadigaonkar will offer personalised consultations and treatments based on one of the world’s oldest healing systems, using herbal remedies, massage, and holistic therapies to restore balance. During the same period, Shannon Fenton, a Pilates and yoga instructor, will lead mindful movement sessions to enhance posture, body awareness, and overall wellbeing.
In November, bespoke fitness coach Nicky Holender will introduce tailored programmes focused on strength, endurance, and motivation, while holistic therapist Darya Gudkova will offer deeply restorative treatments combining Eastern traditions with a contemporary understanding of anatomy and psychology.
The season will continue into December and January with Sanam Heravi, a STOTT-certified Barre specialist, whose sessions use intelligent movement to support rehabilitation and life transitions. Guests seeking high-intensity training will be able to train with Zubaid Toefy, a CrossFit coach with a background in Muay Thai and Olympic weightlifting, known for his dynamic and disciplined approach.
Each visiting practitioner contributes distinct expertise to the spa’s offerings, enabling guests to explore individual paths towards vitality, clarity, and inner balance
Whether guests are beginning a new wellness journey or deepening established rituals, the One&Only Spa provides a setting for intentional transformation. From sunrise yoga sessions to deeply restorative treatments, every moment is designed to strengthen the connection between mind, body, and nature within the serene environment of the Maldives.
For guests seeking advanced skincare, the spa also presents a curated selection of facial treatments that combine cutting-edge technology with high-performance formulations. Through partnerships with globally renowned brands such as Augustinus Bader, the spa offers rejuvenating therapies that leave the skin feeling nourished, firm, and radiant.
Featured
Sanctuary for modern man: Milaidhoo Maldives launches The Gentlemen’s Retreat
In celebration of International Men’s Day on 19 November 2025, Milaidhoo Maldives has announced The Gentlemen’s Retreat — a bespoke wellness experience exclusively designed for the modern gentleman. Offered as both a transformative three-day retreat and a rejuvenating one-day escape, the programme provides a rare opportunity for rest, reflection, and reconnection.
Set within the serene surroundings of Milaidhoo, a private island sanctuary in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, The Gentlemen’s Retreat embodies the resort’s philosophy of barefoot luxury and mindful living. Here, time slows down, and every experience is carefully crafted to harmonise with the island’s natural rhythm. Rooted in simplicity and presence, the retreat invites guests to embark on a journey of genuine renewal — one that goes beyond relaxation to nurture both mind and body.
“We understand that luxury is not merely about indulgence, but about meaningful, transformative experiences,” said Paul van Frank, General Manager at Milaidhoo Maldives. “This retreat honours the global conversation around men’s mental health and well-being, offering an immersive sanctuary for those seeking calm and clarity.”
Three-Day Wellness Journey:
- Day 1: Arrival and Grounding – Guests are welcomed with a calming herbal drink, a cool towel, and a personalised wellness consultation before easing into a Jet Lag Reviver Massage — a 60-minute deep tissue treatment designed to release tension and stimulate circulation. The evening concludes with a guided Breathing Ritual by the ocean at sunset to restore focus and calm.
- Day 2: Strength and Vitality – The day begins with a Sunrise Functional Fitness session led by a personal trainer, followed by a nourishing Power Breakfast featuring local superfoods. Guests then enjoy Herbal Steam Therapy to detoxify the body before experiencing the signature Maldivian Warrior Massage, a 90-minute firm-pressure ritual using African wood dumbbells and herbal compresses to enhance strength and vitality.
- Day 3: Balance and Rejuvenation – The final day features Tai Chi or Hatha Yoga by the sea, an Obsidian Detox Facial to revitalise the skin, and a reflective session of guided meditation or journaling with the resort’s wellness coach. The journey concludes with a Sunset Mocktail at Compass Bar, a Nutrition Consultation and Meal Plan, and a farewell gift to commemorate the experience.
One-Day Retreat Experience
The condensed one-day retreat offers an immersive escape for those seeking renewal within a single day. The itinerary includes a private movement session, a full-body spa ritual featuring an Intensive Muscle Release Massage by Aromatherapy Associates, and moments of calm through an ocean swim or pool float. Guests enjoy a healthy outdoor lunch with fresh island produce, followed by a choice of cooling treatments — either the Aroma Sun Soother or Obsidian Facial. The day concludes with guided Sunset Reflection, a mocktail at Compass Bar, a private candlelit dinner under the stars, and an evening ritual featuring herbal tea, a warm essential oil bath, and deep sleep preparation.
The Gentlemen’s Retreat will be available throughout November 2025, with limited spaces to ensure an intimate and highly personalised experience for each guest.
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The St. Regis Maldives introduces holistic wellness experience with Tash and Andre Barnard
The St. Regis Maldives will host a transformative wellness residency featuring globally acclaimed Master Pilates Instructor Tash Barnard and renowned Performance and Wellbeing Coach Andre Barnard. Taking place from 3 to 16 November 2025, the programme brings together decades of expertise in movement, strength, and holistic wellbeing, offering guests a rare opportunity to rejuvenate both body and mind in the tranquil setting of the Maldives.
Tash Barnard will lead her signature Pilates sessions, designed to refine posture, strengthen the core, and promote mindful movement. Her tailored programmes include individual postural resets, sports performance sessions, and immersive stretch and release experiences, each crafted to restore balance, mobility, and vitality. Couples may also take part in guided movement sessions that encourage connection and shared wellbeing.
Andre Barnard’s practice combines personal training, performance coaching, and targeted therapies to enhance physical performance and overall wellness. Guests can participate in strength and conditioning workouts, bespoke coaching sessions, or immersive retreats that blend mindful movement with restorative therapy, energising the body and calming the mind.
Together, Tash and Andre Barnard will offer joint programmes that unite Pilates, therapeutic massage, and guided movement with strength and posture training. Their full-day Wellbeing Retreats feature mindful flow, sports-focused Pilates, massage, and breathwork, concluding with a gratitude circle to leave participants grounded and renewed.
Set within the serene overwater sanctuary of The St. Regis Maldives, these exclusive experiences invite guests to reconnect with themselves, embrace mindful living, and depart feeling rebalanced in body, mind, and spirit.
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