15-07-2025
Parents outraged at 'out of touch' Joe Wicks as he reveals how his family stay 'fit and healthy' on holiday
Parents have slammed Joe Wicks for his 'out of touch' approach to holidaying abroad with his children - as he shared a no-nonsense routine that prioritises health and fitness for each member of the family.
The UK's favourite work-out guru, nicknamed the Body Coach, revealed he limits alcohol intake on holiday and steers his children away from buffet treats - all while ensuring the family wakes up at dawn to exercise before they begin their day.
Joe, 39, rose to prominence with his healthy eating cookbooks and PE With Joe workout routines, which became a staple in households across the nation during the Covid lockdowns.
He's credited with motivating millions to shift unwanted pounds and is often compared to chef and close pal, Jamie Oliver, over his commitment to encouraging the nation to lead healthier lives.
But in a recent post shared to his Instagram page, @thebodycoach, the fitness fanatic faced a barrage of criticism from parents after unveiling ten things he, his wife, Rosie, and their four young children do on holiday to stay 'fit, healthy and active'.
Attaching captions to ten snapshots of their holiday to Turkey, Joe revealed that their first and top priority is choosing a destination that supports an active lifestyle.
For the family, a vacation isn't a break from routine - it's a chance to live their usual habits in a new location, and their ultimate goal is to return home feeling energised, not drained.
While bedtime is slightly later than at home on holiday, Joe and Rosie aim to have all four children asleep by 10pm every night, as he writes: 'Getting a good night's sleep allows us to feel rested and get all the things we really want done the following day.'
Each morning, Joe wakes early to exercise before the rest of the family is up, and once he's finished, Rosie takes her turn while he looks after the kids
Each morning, Joe wakes early to exercise before the rest of the family is up, and once he's finished, Rosie takes her turn while he looks after the kids.
He adds: 'This is really about keeping momentum with the fitness we have worked hard on all year.'
Joe's fourth priority is ditching the 'all you can eat' mindset at buffets. Rather than loading up on pastries and sugary cereals, they typically start the day with eggs, vegetables, and fresh fruit to feel energised and balanced.
Next, the workout coach shares that instead of ordering from children's menus - which he says are 'often deep-fried and lacking in nutrition' - the family shares dishes from the main menu.
He stresses he and Rosie have followed this approach since their children were babies, and says it encourages variety, reduces waste, and brings more flavour to mealtimes.
While the children frequently ask for juice, mocktails, and ice cream - especially when these are on constant offer - Joe and Rosie limit these sugary treats.
Joe says: 'We give the kids a choice to have an ice cream or a sugary mocktail but it's not everyday multiple times a day. Instead, we offer the kids fresh fruit platters which is a much healthier way of giving them a sugary treat.'
The fitness fanatic also adds he no longer associates holidays with drinking. While he and Rosie might have one or two cocktails at dinner, they generally avoid drinking during the day, as he believes this helps them stay present for their kids.
The fitness fanatic also adds that he no longer associates holidays with drinking
With four young kids under the age of six, the Wicks family keeps moving. Joe says they walk, run, swim, kick footballs, and dive for pool toys - staying active not just for fitness, but to stay engaged and reduce stress while parenting.
The family leaves tablets and phones behind during meals and instead brings card games, books, and colouring supplies.
Joe adds: 'This is something we do back home so the kids have always been used to this. I see this more as a mental health thing and social skills development for the kids.'
Finally, he shares the Wicks family ends each trip by reflecting on how they want to feel when they return home.
Joe concludes: 'It's so easy to drink booze all day, eat as much as whatever you want, stay up until 1am and sit on your iPhone not feeling present with the kids.
'But these choices have an impact on your stress levels, mood, energy, parenting and physical and mental health.'
The post has since been met with criticism from hundreds of parents and holidaymakers in the comments, with many calling his advice 'out of touch'.
One person wrote: 'PR disaster for you Joe. How out of touch are you with your followers?'
The post has since been met with criticism from hundreds of parents and holidaymakers in the comments, with many calling his advice 'out of touch'
Another said: 'Yawn sounds VERY dull. Let's all holiday in a way that makes us happy not what this guy tells us to!'
A third said: 'I have become increasingly frustrated and annoyed at many of Joe's posts of late, including this one. It's so unrealistic and completely unrelatable to most people's lives and finances etc.'
Finally, one viewer added: 'I can't even IMAGINE ever getting up at 6am while on holiday to exercise. I also feel a bit of a "must not lose control" vibe to the message JW sells. They seem like a beautifully, and terrifyingly, perfect family.
