Location
The train from Victoria Station takes less than 1 hour to reach Sittingbourne Train Station in Kent and then a short 10 minute taxi ride from the station to Scuttington Manor Guest House. Scuttington Manor is set in the beautiful English countryside surrounded by country lanes, apple orchards, sunflower fields and farmland for as far as your eye can see. It provides an inspiring setting, giving you a real sense of freedom in the great outdoors. The lanes and fields (and the occasional hills!) around the Manor are used during the boot camp programme, from the brisk morning walk to the Iron Woman Challenge.
Bootcamp
The promise: You will lose a dress size after a 7 night stay! Your day starts at 7am with a 1.5 hour fast walk, followed by a morning warm up, intense training, interval training, assault courses, games, obstacle courses and much more. The trainers, mostly from the Royal Navy, are incredibly motivating and kind, without losing the necessary discipline to push people. I particularly enjoyed the boxing sessions, the team sports and the unforgettable Iron Woman Challenge (running up and down hills carrying survival equipment). The sense of achievement after these tasks is truly priceless. At the end of the day with very tired legs you are invited to take a 3-5-minute dip in the ice water barrel. This was a little bit of a struggle getting in as it’s very chilly but certainly worth it as the cold freezes the lactic acid build up in the muscles, it really helps with muscle recovery and with easing stiffness.
The Team
Sharon, the founder of GI Jane Bootcamp is extremely supportive of every woman attending the boot camp, she understands the journey of every woman and the obstacles that you will inevitably face during your stay. The trainers are tough and will make sure you push your body to its own limits, but they are also kind, funny and motivating. Very quickly you will build a team bond that will inspire you to achieve a level of fitness that you never thought possible. The PT’s Emma and Susan were the super-stars of our stay and we can’t thank them enough for all the enthusiasm, drive and warmth. They are extremely knowledgeable and passionate, military personal trainers at the top of their game!
My diary
Friday:
14:30 Pick up from Sittingbourne station
15:00 Check-in
16:00 Fitness assessment including a 1-mile run + series of basic exercises + weigh in and measurements
18:30 Dinner – Mushroom stuffed peppers
20:00 Lights out
Saturday:
07:00 Fast walk around the local fields and farms
08:30 Breakfast – Muesli, porridge or Weetabix
09:30 Circuit training
11:00 Snack time – Oat cakes and scrambled eggs
11:30 Bums & Tums work out
13:00 Lunch – Vegetable soup followed by pears
14:00 Iron Woman challenge
15:00 Snack time – Grapes & nuts
15:30 Bucket ball game
17:00 Ice bath and shower
18:30 Dinner – Chicken & vegetable stir fry
20:00 Lights out
Sunday:
07:00 Fast walk around the local fields and farms
08:30 Breakfast – Muesli, porridge or Weetabix
09:30 Group fun & active games
11:00 Snack time – Omelette on crackers
11:30 Tabata & Boxing work out
13:00 Lunch – Mackerel on a bed of beetroot salad
14:00 Military assault course
15:00 Snack time – Hummus on crackers
15:30 Kwik cricket game
17:00 Ice bath and shower
18:30 Dinner – Chicken casserole
20:00 Lights out
Monday:
07:00 Fast walk around the local fields and farms
08:30 Breakfast – Muesli, porridge or Weetabix
09:30 Weigh in, measurements and results
10:00 Departure to Sittingbourne station
Extra tips
Nearly all the activities are done outside so take plenty of active wear. You will need a good pair of trainers for jogging and a second one for getting wet and muddy. The kit list provided after you book is a great tool, so make sure you check it before packing. Don’t worry about taking smarter clothes for the evening meals, everyone goes to the dinner table in their PJs, which is perfect considering how tired you are at the end of the day.
Who is it for
- GI Jane is the perfect destination for women looking for a bootcamp retreat, a personal fitness challenge, a healthy-life-style kick start and to lose weight. I had such a great weekend! I got to truly understand my own physical and mental limits and how to differentiate one from the other, whilst making great friends and creating lovely memories along the way. We highly recommend GI Jane to solo travellers as well as to groups of friends. It’s all about getting to know your own limits and working to your own pace; accepting your body and feeling good about yourself.
- It is the ideal place for women who are determined to improve their fitness goals and kick start their wellness journey. The military-inspired exercise routines are intense yet enjoyable, and the carefully crafted meals are designed to be low-calorie while still providing the energy needed for your workouts.
- GI Jane is renowned for sparking positive transformations, both mentally and physically. After spending a weekend there, I truly realised that my potential was far greater than I had ever imagined. The bootcamp emphasises teamwork and building lifelong friendships while pushing your body to its limits—making it the perfect fitness retreat. Participants leave not only having lost weight and inches but also with lasting friendships and unforgettable memories. And before you think this bootcamp might be too challenging for you, remember: it’s all about pushing your own boundaries, not anyone else’s. Everything can be adjusted to fit your own pace and ability, and you’ll meet women of all ages and fitness levels. People come to GI Jane at all points of their wellness journey.
Why Wellbeing Escapes?
