It's never too late — or early — to start thinking about how you could be taking better care of yourself and Gloucestershire is full of activities and practices that will help you optimise your health.
From exploring preventative healthcare screenings, getting private GP appointments, testing your core at a pilates class to unwinding in a flotation tank, taking up aerial hoop, rejuvenating at a spa or learning how to play pickle ball, SoGlos rounds up nine ways to give your health a boost.
Explore preventative healthcare with Randox Health
Offering a conveniently placed clinic within Cheltenham's John Lewis department store, Randox Health is on a mission to bring preventative healthcare to the forefront, through early detection and proactive management — testing for hundreds of biomarkers, combining results to create unique and detailed health profiles.
With use of its preventative health screenings, early detection and risk profiling can help manage or prevent several common health issues, from nutritional deficiencies, hormone imbalance, type two diabetes, fatty liver disease, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
Switch off with Prosperity Holistics
Tucked away within the historic Pillar and Lucy Warehouse at Gloucester Quays, Prosperity Holistics offers a modern, airy and affordable space designed to help Gloucestershire switch off from the stresses and strains of daily life.
The site's expert therapists and consultants provide traditional and alternative treatments, tailored to nurture both your emotional and physical wellbeing, including massage therapies, reflexology, emotion-focused therapy (EFT), and reiki; as well as a range of different classes and workshops held weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, such as sunrise or sunset yoga, breathwork classes and sound-bath therapy.
Get speedy appointments with Nuffield Health
For patients needing speedy advice, Nuffield Health Cheltenham Hospital is now offering access to a private GP services face-to-face or remotely, for the first time, in 2025.
If you're struggling to get an appointment with your NHS GP, Nuffield Health's private GPs offer convenient appointments with short wait times for investigation, diagnostics and prescriptions.
Discover specialists at Aubergine Physio
The first clinic of its kind in Gloucestershire, Aubergine Physio is a specialist physiotherapy clinic in Cheltenham that uses pioneering Focused Shockwave Therapy to treat men's sexual health issues.
It's a non-invasive, drug-free and pain-free approach to improving men's sexual health, which encourages the development of new collagen, penile tissue, nerves and blood vessels to enhance blood flow and improve the function of the erection mechanism.
Strengthen your core with pilates
Whether you're looking to correct bad posture, improve balance or simply become more flexible, toned and powerful, there's plenty of Pilates studios across Gloucestershire to help you on your way.
Some of our favourites include classic mat or reformer at P.I.LATES, hot Pilates at Ella & Fleur and core blasters at The Studio — all in Cheltenham; Cotswolds Pilates Club in Bishop's Cleeve; Studiq in Cirencester; and the luxurious Bamford Wellness Spa in Moreton-in-Marsh.
Experience flotation therapy
Offering the ultimate escape from stress and a complete switch off from technology, try out flotation therapy at the Forest of Dean's Float in the Forest or the award-winning Dormy House, in Broadway.
For the process, over 500kg of Epsom salts is mixed with 1,000 litres of water in the flotation tank, creating a highly buoyant environment, meaning users naturally float to the surface without any effort. Proven to boost people's health and wellbeing, this experience provides a number of benefits for the mind and body including deep relaxation, meditation, stress relief, pain relief and accelerated recovery from injury.
Rejuvenate your body with a spa day
We're spoilt for choice when it comes to spa days in Gloucestershire, with a plethora of rejuvenating treatments on offer to make you feel your best. Indulge in relaxing massages or invigorating scrubs, not to mention stunning hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms and Jacuzzi tubs.
Try out the award-winning Greenway Hotel and Spa, Michelin Key-winning Cowley Manor and the five-star Ellenborough Park near Cheltenham; Calcot Manor in the Cotswolds; and the spa at Hatherley Manor near Gloucester, and more.
Join a sports club
We all know that exercise can help us lose weight, boost moods and reduce the risk of developing long-term conditions. But if you’re not a fan of regular gyms, finding a sports club could help you hit your fitness goals, while making new friends in the process.
Take up pole fitness or aerial hoop, get your friends together for some five-a-side football, try pickle ball at East Glos Club, padel at The Padel Club or Padel Shift or attempt to get your personal best at one of the many Parkrun's throughout the county.
Fuel yourself with nutritious meals
Maintaining good health starts in the kitchen, with a well-balanced diet providing the energy and nutrients needed for growth and repair, helping you to stay strong and healthy.
But this doesn't mean you can't dine out — in fact, there's plenty of health-conscious restaurants and cafes around Gloucestershire to refuel at. Grab sushi at KIBOU or Nagomi in Cheltenham; sip on freshly squeezed, cold-pressed juices, smoothies, fresh shots and more at Verdure in Tetbury; and wholesome, locally sourced, organic wholefood at Woodruffs in Stroud.
