Gym & Tonic
If you’re not a natural fitness monkey, the idea of the perfect gym is an oxymoron. It’s like describing a prison as perfect. However, if you are in the market to find a gym up there perfection-wise, then The Celtic Manor’s Forum Health Club is gym life but not as us treadmill turncoats know it. It’s actually an enjoyable place to spend time, even if that time trails by in a vat of sweat. As well as offering all the usual gymernalia, because it’s part of the sprawling Celtic Manor resort, it has the extra add-ons of top-drawer restaurants and bars. All this and there’s also a luxurious spa – a 2-for-1 deal on treatments is available at the moment – and an indoor pool to keep even the most gymphobic on track come beer-belly-flattening season in January.
www.celtic-manor.com

Demon Barbers
Ever since prehistoric man first scraped a seashell across his chops so prehistoric woman would let him dance cheek-to-cheek, shaving has been part of the male experience, but even with today’s high-tech razors, lots of us still get nicks, cuts and razor burn. Hence the re-emergence of old-school barbershop shaves that take the sting out of face-shearing. At Kudos in Pontyclun, trad shaves are becoming increasingly popular with men who want the full cutthroat but without any Sweeney Todd blood-letting. From the basic shave (hot towel, single shave) to the classic (hot towel, single shave, face massage) and the Luxury (hot towel, double shave, face massage), there’s a close shave to suit you that keeps the hairy moments to a bare minimum.
www.kudoshair.co.uk

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