Want to know how the pros holiday? WF writer Donna Richardson flew out to Anda Barut in Turkey to learn the how and why of active travel from some of the UK’s most celebrated Olympians
Imagine walking down to the beach as some of Britain’s most successful Olympians emerge from the Aegean Sea? For Women’s Fitness writer Donna Richardson, it wasn’t a dream – Jess Ennis-Hill, Paula Radcliffe and Vicky Thornley, among others, had just done a rowing session at the stunning €150m Anda Barut Collection hotel in Didim, Turkey (baruthotels.com).
If you love to combine travel with fitness, Anda Barut is a five-star resort that runs a Wellness Week, hosted by Wellness Worldwide (wellnessworldwide.club), where you can work out with some of GB’s top Olympians. The hotel boasts 547 rooms and 13 exclusive Bayou Villas, each with walk-in showers, large comfy beds and TVs. Some have balconies, some swim-up pools, but all are stunning.
At Anda Barut, Wellness Week days start with a run led by long-distance legend Paula Radcliffe, before beachfront circuits with Daley Thompson, Colin Jackson, Jamie Baulch, Max Whitlock and Jess Ennis-Hill. Adding extra stardust are Strictly Come Dancing’s Ian Waite, who runs FitSteps, and James and Ola Jordan, who run Dance Shred sessions, while esteemed sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (aka Gladiator’s Nitro) showcases the state-of-the-art gym. You can also book swim lessons with Rebecca Adlington, and there’s AquaFit with Jordan and Ellie of JE Thrive. Plus, at the end of each day, Leon Taylor holds yoga sessions, with additional classes by Theo Necker and Adam Husler.
While you’re working hard, talented chefs prepare delicious food at Anda’s many restaurants, and author Chris Baber prepares healthy post-workout protein shakes and energy balls. The mornings are packed with fitness activities, but during downtime WF caught up with some of the Olympians to find out how they keep fit during the summer season. Here’s what they had to say…
What have you been doing at Anda Barut so far?
It’s great to be here. It’s my first year, and it’s been lovely to get stuck in. We did some running this morning with Paula [Radcliffe] and I did the circuits. I also tried rowing for the first time earlier. I’ve never really rowed before, but it was nice to try something a bit different. The co-ordination involved is quite challenging!
Do you train on holiday?
Now the kids are older, I try to run in the mornings. When they were small there wasn’t enough time on holiday, but it’s really nice to have a dedicated place such as Anda Barut to exercise. It’s nice to work out with fellow athletes from other disciplines, too – for instance, I know Max Whitlock from our days competing together; I used to train with Leon Taylor in Sheffield; and obviously know Colin [Jackson], Jamie [Baulch] and Daley [Thompson] really well. It’s a really nice group of people to catch up with.
Have you done a wellness retreat before?
No, I haven’t. I think the concept is so great – people with the same mindset who are active and appreciate lots of forms of exercise. I feel like you have everything [at Anda Barut], from the amazing array of food, and Chris [Baber] putting on the protein balls and shakes.
Any advice for training abroad?
You have to plan ahead. You’re in a hot environment, so you need to make sure you do your exercises in the morning when it’s a bit cooler, and you have to make sure you replenish your energy stores because you’re sweating a lot. I love running on holiday and doing a lot of circuits. It’s about trying to find spots where you can do a 20-minute session without equipment, using your own body weight. There’s an incredible gym here if you want to work out from 6am – on holiday you might not have such a fine gym, but you can still fit in a session. There are lots of ways to be active.
What do you pack on holiday?
A great pair of trainers (I have my Adidas Ultraboost trainers with me). You want comfy clothes – a couple of nice vest tops and shorts that you feel confident in – and clothing made with breathable materials. I take a Theraband on holiday so I can do some core exercises, and it fits nicely in my luggage. Plus, some good swimwear and loungewear for down-time
Jess’s summer fitness tips
- Don’t overdo it – taking a bit of rest is important. Do a warm-up, as flexibility is really important as well.
- Trainers are essential – make sure your shoes fit properly and are in good condition to prevent injuries.
- Recovery is important – stay hydrated, eat well and get lots of sleep.
What activities have you been up to at Anda Barut?
On the first full day, we did Aquafit which was really fun – it’s great when you try new things on holiday. Today we did the running, but I’ll do the walk tomorrow as the run was quite fast paced – I’m not fit enough for that. We’ve also done Ian Waite’s FitSteps, which helps you get your body moving. Andy [Parsons, Adlington’s husband] and I can’t dance – but it was great. It’s not a class where everything has to be perfect; it’s just fun.
What do you eat on holiday?
I was diagnosed with celiac disease last year, so I’m being careful ( I use my own toaster, as well) – even the smallest things can set me off. My daughter made me eggs on toast (supervised) the other day, and just from using a toaster that hadn’t been properly cleaned out beforehand, I felt horrific.
Since retiring, what training do you do?
I no longer have to train. Now I am into my late 30s I don’t want to do beasting workouts. In my 20s, I used to love HIIT workouts; it used to be all about ‘let’s go fast’ and ‘let’s compete and lift as heavy as I possibly can’ but now I don’t want that at all. I like fun ways to exercise. I swim just for 40 minutes; I just do 2K. Occasionally, I go for a run with my daughter and have started getting her into a 5K run… I do a weights class but just with lighter weights, and I do Pilates as well. I like more gentle exercises, not the sweat and beast ones where you come out bright red.
Adlington’s top swimming tips:
- Find a good swimsuit – We all have different body shapes, and certain brands are better suited to different body types. For instance, I have a long torso so if a swimsuit is too short it just clings and feels horrible. You need to find something that fits well and makes you feel confident.
- Swim with a friend – It’s hard to be sociable when swimming because your head is in the water, so you can’t have a chat, but by going with different people, it mixes it up. I go with my daughter, who loves it.
- Vary your strokes – An hour is great if you can, but 45 minutes is enough. Keep mixing it up to work out different muscles. If you’re doing crawl, your shoulders will hurt – use your entire body, and it’s hard work. Breast stroke is good, but not if you have knee or hip issues. Do a bit of backstroke so your muscles work in the opposite direction.
How do you train on holiday?
When you go away on holiday it’s for the family, so I guess it’s about fitting running around the family. I’ve always seen a holiday as a break from running, even if I have a big race coming up. On a family holiday, we always try to balance it so that everyone gets to have a say in what activities they want to do. It’s nice when you can all do it together. And we do go for family runs often, but we usually end up running in pairs so two of us will run while the other two have a rest. We are all runners to different levels.
Any advice for running on holiday?
Running is a great chance to explore the local area, and it helps you feel more connected to the place you’re visiting. Remember that balance is key – moderation in treats and staying active goes a long way for health and happiness. The running classes here are accessible for all. We meet up just before 8am and do a 5K or a bit longer. We try and limit it to 45 minutes. It’s for any level – you have people jogging, people sprinting, people walking, and there is a walking group that sets off at the same time. That is one of the great things about running, you can go anywhere in the world and run – you don’t need any equipment, just open space.
What do you pack?
Light clothing. Don’t forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cap which you can dip in cold water before you go out.
What do you eat on holiday?
I love food and trying new things. That’s one of the great things about Anda Barut – they have local delicacies and a vast array of food. I enjoy a variety of cuisines – Japanese, Italian and Mexican, for example. Eating healthily can come easily.
Radcliffe’s holiday running tips:
- Pacing yourself is essential – you might want to jump right into the activities, but don’t forget that you have the whole week to enjoy them. It’s also fun to try new things and step out of your comfort zone in a supportive environment.
- Stay hydrated – and remember to minimise alcohol.
- Rest up – take time to rest and recover; rest is just as significant as the workouts themselves. It is hard on holiday, but if you sleep well, you can build on the training and your muscles will recover.
- Don’t be afraid to explore – check out the bounds of your resort and kind of just discover the local area, particularly if you’re with one or two friends; there’s safety in terms of being able to go out and explore those trails. It’s a great way to really get the most from your holiday – you come back feeling that you set yourself up for the day.
Why take an active break like Wellness Week?
What’s a better backdrop than a beautiful resort with the sea in the background, lovely weather and inspiring trainers – it is such an inspiring opportunity, and a lot of people who are into fitness find time tight. By coming here, you are prioritising your wellness and fitness. You’re not looking at the clock thinking you have to go to work or pick the kids up from school, but can just focus on yourself and your fitness. There is nowhere else you can focus harder on your fitness and be motivated every day. It’s a really good place to come and explore loads of different sports, and some people may find they want to take up a new sport because they came here.
There aren’t many places that do the things Anda Barut does, with all the sports on offer. People can learn new sports, whether it’s rowing with me and Ric [Egington, Thornley’s husband], swimming with Becky [Adlington], circuits with Daley, dance classes with Ian, James and Ola [Jordan], running with Paula, or AquaFit with Ellie and Jordan. The variety here is impressive – rowing can be a less accessible sport at times. You need boats and equipment, which makes it even more special.
Where do you train normally?
My local club is Leander Club in Henley. Usually, we row on lakes and rivers, but here on the Aegean Sea, the water is really calm and people get a real buzz from rowing on it – someone said they were going to join a local club!
You’re expecting. Will training change after having a baby?
I am sure life will look very different with a baby, and your priorities change. However, for Ric and I, being physically active is a non-negotiable, for physical and mental health. We will work together to ensure each of us has the opportunity to get into the gym or out for a run, as we will be better parents for doing that. It is also important to role model for our child that physical activity should be part of your day-to-day routine. We hope to inspire our child to love sport and exercise as we do, as we know how powerful sport is whatever the level; it brings people together.
Thornley’s Training tips:
- Find your flow – for overall health and fitness, it is all about finding something that you enjoy. Often, it’s good to do it with someone else, too, for accountability. If you’ve booked onto a class, you’re more likely to do it if you have to turn up for another person.
- Go at your pace – it’s great to be around inspiring people and learn all about their journey, but you don’t have to get to an Olympic-level to enjoy sport. Doing it alongside your job is also something that makes you fit and healthy, and that is inspiring for the next generation.
- Think out of the box – for rowing fitness, the rowing machine is the only way to row other than being on the water, but we also do a lot of cycling because rowing is a leg-based sport. You are strengthening your legs, and this is excellent cross training as well as strength training for power.
Travel Facts:
A week at the 5-star Anda Barut Collection, Didim, starts from £3,420 (excluding transfers). The resort is located on the stunning Delice Peninsula. For wellness holidays and bookings, visit andabarut.com and wellnessworldwide.club. Donna flew from Stansted with Jet2 (jet2holidays.com)
