How much fitness does it really take to stay fit? An honest look at the balance between sport and enjoyment: Does it really always have to be sweaty training, or are relaxed approaches enough to stay physically and mentally healthy?
Author: Melinda Por
16.11.2024, 21:22
Fitness, muscles, motivation – but what really motivates us to lace up our sneakers? Gülsha Adilji, Yvonne Eisenring and Maja Zivadinovic talk about their sports habits. The result: An honest look at sweat, fun and bastards.
Legend: Gülsha Adilji, Yvonne Eisenring and Maja Zivadinovic (from left) dedicate themselves to the small, large and deep topics of life in their podcast “Zivadiliring”. Mirjam Kluka
Gülsha: The sports ace of the round
“I do sports almost every day,” explains Gülsha, and that’s not just empty talk. Whether jogging, spinning or strength training – she loves to work out. “I need this to stay healthy and not go crazy,” she says.
1 / 4 Legend: Yvonne: «When I go dancing, that also counts as exercise for me. It’s like my own little fitness program.” iStock / Wilpunt
2 / 4 Legend: Maja: “Krav Maga helped me find something that was not only physically demanding, but also meaningful.” Getty Images/Eric Charbonneau
3 / 4 Legend: Gülsha: «For me, a workout has to be strenuous for it to be worth it. I want to sweat, test my limits and really give it my all.” iStock / Halfpoint
4 / 4 Legend: Gülsha and Yvonne also attend spinning classes together from time to time. Gülsha pushes herself to her limits (or even beyond them), Yvonne rarely sweats. iStock / Husam Cakaloglu
Gülsha’s sporting behavior? “It’s almost compulsive,” she admits with a wink. A workout is simply part of it for them – even on vacation, they always have their sports equipment with them.
Maja: Krav Maga even inspires people who don’t like sports
For Maja, sport is not a must, but a question of passion – and she has found it in Krav Maga. “It’s not a martial art, it’s self-defense,” she emphasizes.
Once a week we get down to business: punches, holds, action. “It’s my thing because it’s useful and I really learn something from it.” And other sports? «Not for me. I tried jogging, but the enthusiasm quickly wore off.”
Yvonne: Active in sports, but always relaxed
And Yvonne? She takes a much more relaxed approach to it. “I do a lot of sport, but always for fun,” she admits. “Jogging, yes – but only slowly enough that she can still chat easily.”
My body is kind to me, and I want to be just as kind to it.
«And an evening in high heels at the club? That counts as a workout for me.” Her motto is sport without sweat, because: “I don’t want to push myself to my limits. My body is kind to me, and I want to be just as kind to it.”
No matter how different their approaches are, all three agree: sport is the perfect balance to stressful everyday life. “My job is so top-heavy,” says Yvonne. “If I don’t move, I get nervous.” Gülsha adds: “Without sport I wouldn’t be able to channel my energy.” For Maja, Krav Maga is her personal meditation.
How much exercise is healthy?
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Sport is good – but the right dose makes the difference, says fitness trainer and federally qualified sports teacher Savo Hertig:
- Too little movement: Less than 150 minutes per week (for example 30 minutes on 5 days) is not enough. The risk of obesity and health problems increases.
- Too much movement: More than 6 days of intensive training per week without breaks overloads joints, muscles and tendons.
- Regeneration: Plan at least one or two rest days per week – the body needs these breaks to recover.
- Variety: Mix of strength training, endurance and coordination. Example: jogging on Monday, strength training on Wednesday, cycling on Friday, yoga on Saturday.
Conclusion: Train in a balanced and varied way – this protects against injuries and keeps you fit in the long term.
You can find the entire SRF guide article on the topic here.
The three prove that fitness works even without pressure. Whether it’s intensive Krav Maga, casual jogging or dancing until the early hours – the main thing is that it’s fun. “Listen to your body and do what’s good for you,” is how Gülsha sums it up.
The “Zivadiliring” podcast
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What do women talk about when they are among themselves? Above all. Gulsha Adilji (presenter, columnist and self-proclaimed “Swiss TV treasure”), Maja Zivadinovic (journalist, mother and people expert) and Yvonne Eisenring (author, journalist and presenter) discuss the adversities of everyday life every two weeks, discuss the big questions in life and share their craziest experiences.
All “Zivadiliring” episodes can be listened to here.
