What is a Fitness Retreat?
A fitness retreat is a dedicated period, usually one to eight weeks, where you structure your life around training. You show up, you train, you eat well, you recover, and you repeat. Everything else falls away. No commute, no office politics, no cooking dinner after a long day. Just training, eating, sleeping, and gradually becoming a better version of yourself.
Soi Ta Iad is one of the best places in the world for a fitness retreat because the entire infrastructure exists to support it. Gyms, food, accommodation, recovery services, and a community of like-minded people are all within walking distance. You do not need to organize logistics or fight against your environment. The environment is designed for exactly what you are trying to do.
People come to the Soi for retreats ranging from a focused week to extended three-month stays. Some arrive with specific goals: learn Muay Thai, lose weight, prepare for a HYROX race. Others come with a vague desire to get fitter and figure out the details once they arrive. Both approaches work.
Types of Retreats
Muay Thai Training Camps
The original reason people come to Soi Ta Iad, and still the most popular retreat format. You join a Muay Thai camp, train twice daily (morning and afternoon), and immerse yourself in the art of eight limbs.
Best for: Anyone interested in Muay Thai, from complete beginners to experienced fighters preparing for bouts.
Typical schedule:
- 7:00 AM - Morning training (1.5-2 hours): warm-up, technique, pad work, bag work, conditioning
- Free time for breakfast, rest, recovery
- 4:00 PM - Afternoon training (1.5-2 hours): similar structure, often with sparring or clinch work
- Evening: eat, rest, socialize, sleep
The camps that run the best Muay Thai retreats include Tiger Muay Thai, Phuket Top Team, Dragon Muay Thai, Rattachai Muay Thai, and T&Y Muay Thai. Each has a different atmosphere and approach. Tiger is the biggest with the most variety. Rattachai and Ty offer more traditional, personal instruction. Phuket Top Team is excellent for those with competitive ambitions.
A two-week Muay Thai retreat is the minimum to see real progress. In that time you will learn fundamentals, develop basic combinations, and start to feel the rhythm of the art. A month gives you enough time to see genuine improvement in your technique. Two months and beyond is where transformation happens.
Yoga and Wellness Retreats
The other side of the Soi's personality. Yoga retreats here can be standalone experiences or combined with other training. The studios offer dedicated programs, and the broader wellness infrastructure (massage, healthy food, warm weather) supports deep practice.
5 Elements Hot Yoga offers multi-day retreat packages focused on hot yoga, meditation, and wellness. Their facility includes recovery amenities like ice baths, steam rooms, and a pool. A week of daily hot yoga practice in this environment produces noticeable changes in flexibility, strength, and mental clarity.
Yoga Connections provides structured programs for practitioners who want to deepen their practice, and Infitnity Phuket offers aerial yoga and Pilates-focused retreat experiences for something different.
Many people combine yoga with other training, doing a morning Muay Thai or CrossFit session and an afternoon yoga class. This combination of hard training and mindful movement is uniquely effective, and the Soi makes it easy to access both.
Fitness Transformation Programs
Several gyms specialize in structured programs with before-and-after tracking, nutrition coaching, and progressive training plans. These are designed for people with specific body composition or fitness goals who want accountability and expert guidance.
Titan Fitness Camp is the leader in all-inclusive fitness transformation programs. Their one to twelve-week packages include accommodation, all meals, unlimited classes (CrossFit, yoga, Muay Thai, strength training), personal training sessions, airport pickup, and weekly massage. Prices range from roughly 30,000 THB for one week to 125,000 THB for twelve weeks. The convenience factor is high: you show up and everything is handled.
Unit 27 and Kong Phuket can also put together custom training programs for individuals or groups, with a focus on functional fitness and body composition changes.
CrossFit and Functional Fitness Retreats
Pirate Camp Phuket offers retreats that combine CrossFit-style training with island excursions, including trips to Koh Yao Noi. If you want fitness with a tropical island backdrop and a sense of adventure, this is a unique option.
For a more traditional CrossFit retreat, Unit 27 and Kong Phuket both offer structured multi-week programs. The daily schedule typically includes a morning WOD, optional afternoon session, and structured recovery. The heat adds an extra conditioning element that pays dividends when you return to your home box.
Combined Retreats
The real magic of Soi Ta Iad is the ability to combine disciplines. A typical combined retreat might look like:
- Morning: Muay Thai at Tiger Muay Thai or CrossFit at Unit 27
- Midday: Rest, eat, recover
- Afternoon: Yoga at 5 Elements Hot Yoga or Pilates at Pilates Social Club
This dual-training approach develops you as a more complete athlete: strong and powerful from the combat or functional fitness work, flexible and mobile from the yoga or Pilates. It also keeps things interesting. Doing only one thing for four weeks can lead to boredom and burnout. Mixing disciplines keeps every day fresh.
Organized Programs
Titan Fitness Camp
Titan Fitness Camp runs the most comprehensive organized retreat program on the Soi. Their packages are truly all-inclusive:
- On-site accommodation in well-maintained rooms
- Three meals per day, designed for training nutrition
- Unlimited access to all classes (CrossFit, yoga, Muay Thai, strength, and more)
- Personal training sessions
- Airport pickup and drop-off
- Weekly Thai massage
- Body composition analysis and progress tracking
The structured nature of Titan's program is its biggest strength. You do not need to make decisions. You wake up, eat the food that is prepared for you, attend the classes on the schedule, and follow the program. For people who want to remove all friction and just focus on training, this is ideal.
Tiger Muay Thai
Tiger Muay Thai offers structured training camp packages at various durations. The scale of Tiger means you have an enormous variety of classes to choose from daily. Their packages typically include gym access and accommodation, with food available at on-site restaurants.
Tiger's retreat experience is less hand-holding than Titan's but offers more freedom and choice. You design your own daily schedule from their extensive class timetable. This suits self-motivated athletes who want variety and flexibility.
Pirate Camp Retreats
Pirate Camp Phuket takes a different approach, combining training with experience. Their retreat packages can include island trips, outdoor adventures, and community activities alongside the daily training. If a pure gym-focused retreat feels too intense or monotonous, Pirate Camp's approach adds elements of travel and exploration.
DIY Retreat Planning
You do not need an organized program to have an effective retreat. Many visitors, especially those staying for two weeks or longer, build their own:
Step 1: Book Accommodation
Choose a place based on your budget and preferred proximity to gyms. See our accommodation guide for detailed recommendations. For a DIY retreat, having a fridge and basic kitchen access is helpful for meal prep and storing water and snacks.
Properties like Cocoville Phuket Resort for mid-range comfort, Happy Cottage for budget value, or TAJH Pool Villas for luxury all work well as retreat bases.
Step 2: Choose Your Gym
Buy a training package at your primary gym. For stays of two weeks or more, monthly unlimited packages offer the best value. Most gyms are happy to let you do a trial day or drop-in before committing.
Step 3: Sort Your Meals
Decide between eating out at the Soi's restaurants, using a meal prep service, or a combination. Filling Station Phuket, Trooper Eats, and Ali's BBQ will cover most of your nutritional needs. See our food guide for details.
Step 4: Set Your Schedule
Build a weekly training schedule based on class times at your chosen gym. A solid DIY retreat schedule for someone training six days a week:
- Monday to Saturday: Morning session (7:00-8:30 AM), afternoon session (4:00-5:30 PM)
- Wednesday and Saturday: Replace afternoon session with yoga or Pilates for recovery
- Sunday: Full rest day. Beach, massage, explore Phuket.
Advantages of DIY
- Flexibility to mix and match gyms and activities
- Often cheaper than all-inclusive packages
- Freedom to take rest days when you need them
- Ability to try different gyms before committing
- Control over your own nutrition and schedule
Typical Schedule
Here is what a typical retreat day looks like, whether organized or DIY:
6:00 AM - Wake up. Light breakfast or coffee.
7:00-8:30 AM - Morning training session. This is the primary session and usually the most important.
9:00-10:00 AM - Post-training breakfast. Big meal to refuel.
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Rest and recovery. Nap, work remotely, get a massage, swim, read. This downtime is not wasted time. Your body is recovering and adapting from the morning's work.
3:30 PM - Light pre-training snack. Banana, protein bar, or a small meal.
4:00-5:30 PM - Afternoon training session. Second main session of the day.
6:00 PM - Dinner. Prioritize protein and carbohydrates to support recovery.
7:00-9:00 PM - Wind down. Stretch, foam roll, journal, plan tomorrow. The Soi gets quiet early.
9:00-10:00 PM - Sleep. Rest is where the adaptation happens.
This routine establishes itself naturally within a few days and becomes surprisingly addictive. The simplicity is part of the appeal: train, eat, rest, repeat.
What's Included
When evaluating organized retreat packages, look for what is and is not included:
Usually included: Gym access, accommodation, some meals, airport transfer, orientation.
Sometimes included: Personal training sessions, massage, supplements, laundry, excursions.
Usually extra: Private Muay Thai pad sessions, special classes, gear purchases, additional meals, scooter rental, insurance, visa costs.
Always ask for a detailed breakdown before booking. The advertised price rarely covers everything, and hidden extras can add up quickly.
Costs
Here is a realistic cost breakdown for a two-week retreat:
Organized All-Inclusive (e.g., Titan)
| Item | Cost (THB) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Package (2 weeks) | 40,000-60,000 | 1,150-1,725 |
| Extras (massage, gear, etc.) | 3,000-5,000 | 85-145 |
| Total | 43,000-65,000 | 1,235-1,870 |
DIY Retreat (Budget)
| Item | Cost (THB) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (14 nights) | 8,000-14,000 | 230-400 |
| Gym package (2 weeks) | 4,000-8,000 | 115-230 |
| Food (eating out daily) | 8,000-14,000 | 230-400 |
| Scooter rental | 4,000-6,000 | 115-175 |
| Extras (massage, gear, etc.) | 3,000-5,000 | 85-145 |
| Total | 27,000-47,000 | 775-1,350 |
DIY Retreat (Mid-Range)
| Item | Cost (THB) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (14 nights at Cocoville Phuket Resort) | 20,000-30,000 | 575-865 |
| Gym package (2 weeks) | 5,000-10,000 | 145-290 |
| Food (mix of restaurants and cafes) | 12,000-18,000 | 345-520 |
| Scooter rental | 4,000-6,000 | 115-175 |
| Extras | 5,000-8,000 | 145-230 |
| Total | 46,000-72,000 | 1,325-2,080 |
These costs do not include flights, travel insurance, or visa fees. Low season (May-October) prices will be at the lower end. Peak season (December-March) will be higher.
How to Choose
Ask yourself these questions:
What is your primary goal? Weight loss, learning Muay Thai, general fitness, yoga immersion, or a mix? Your goal determines which gym and format will serve you best.
What is your fitness level? Complete beginner? Experienced athlete? This matters for choosing the right camp. Beginners may benefit from the structure of an organized program. Experienced athletes may prefer the freedom of DIY.
How long are you staying? A one-week trip benefits from the structure and convenience of an organized program. A month-long stay gives you time to explore and build your own rhythm.
What is your budget? All-inclusive is convenient but more expensive. DIY gives you control and is typically cheaper, but requires more self-management.
Do you want social structure or independence? Organized retreats come with a built-in social group: you eat together, train together, and bond through shared effort. DIY means you are on your own initially, though the Soi is very social and you will meet people quickly at your gym and at restaurants like Ali's BBQ and The Shack.
How much decision-making do you want? If you are coming off a stressful period and want someone else to handle everything, go organized. If you enjoy planning and want maximum flexibility, go DIY.
There is no wrong answer. People have life-changing experiences through both organized programs and self-directed retreats. The most important thing is that you show up, train consistently, eat well, and rest properly. The format is secondary to the commitment.